Electrical Capacity Can Help Land Tenants | Tenant Coordination
Posted on Thu, Nov 10, 2011 @ 01:47 PM
written by: Bob Catino | bcatino@tesengineering.com
Determining electrical component capacity is more complicated than it initially appears. Let’s take a look at the following scenario:
One day, your office receives a call from a leasing agent representing a luxury retailer. The agent indicates this retailer is interested in your property, if you can guarantee them 400 amps at 277/480V electrical service.
A quick response is required; you immediately begin investigating using a combination of your experience with electrical system and existing tenant and building information.
You find legible base building plans that clearly show the landlord’s electrical distribution equipment is 1200 amp at 277/480v and a list of original tenants’ connection sizes.
Using this information, you compare the current lease plan to the tenants listed on the distribution equipment. You continue your due diligence by researching tenant drawing files to confirm the sum of current tenant services. It would not be unusual for this sum to be far larger than the service size, even double the service size in some cases.
You say to yourself, “Wait a minute. How can this be?”
As straightforward as this calculation may appear, simply adding the tenants’ disconnect switch sizes together will not determine the value needed. Typically, the actual demand load of a Tenant is less than 50 percent of the circuit ampacity of the switch. If a tenant has a 200-amp service, the actual load is usually much closer to 100 amps.
Empowered with a bit more knowledge, you continue this investigation. You can divide the original total figure (1800 amps) by 2, given the new information, resulting in 900 amps. Also, divide the requested 400 amps in half, also. We arrive at a total of 1100 amps, giving you confidence to tell the leasing agent on the phone that it appears there’s adequate power.
Please exercise caution when using this rule of thumb methodology as it can lead you astray at times. TES Engineering can apply more detailed research and connected load calculations to more confidently say the landlord’s main service can usually accommodate additional without increasing service, but that’s usually when the lease negotiations get further along. A key point to the above scenario is that adding a tenant to a landlord’s electrical gear is not always expensive if you are able to do a little bit of basic research.
Also, consider this: building officials, plan reviewers, and inspectors are increasingly requesting landlord/tenant electrical utility tracking. Tracking establishes a current record of electrical loads, making them invaluable for day-to-day discussions and an asset when presented with important opportunities.
TES Engineering regularly assists tenant coordinators with electrical capacity issues. Contact one of our tenant coordinators or electrical engineers today for dependable guidance.
