Circuits for Equipment and Machinery

Circuits for Equipment and Machinery

Circuit and electrical panel upgrades for commercial equipment and machinery

In the constantly changing and evolving business landscape, business owners and managers must meet the change with equipment upgrades and additions. New equipment and additional equipment often requires new electrical circuits or upgrades to existing electrical circuits.

The great majority of office and industrial equipment is made to run on a 20 amp, 120 or 208 volt dedicated circuit. Much of this equipment uses a standard 3-prong plug, very similar to that which can be found on a common computer or television.

Depending on the type of equipment your business employs, circuit needs and installation requirements can change rapidly. Here are a few examples:

Printing Equipment:

Print shops often employ rows of machines that print, fold, arrange, and fasten material for publication. These machines all have different electrical needs and different methods of attachment. Additionally, the installation sometimes needs to be made in such a way that allows the equipment location to be adjusted over time. 

Automotive Shop Equipment:

Service departments at car dealers or independent mechanic shops contain a plethora of different machines for repairing or modifying vehicles. This equipment can range from a simple 20 amp utility circuit to a 30 amp compressor, all the way up to a 40 amp circuit for a hydraulic lift or a 50 amp circuit for a welder. Each machine connects to the electrical system differently, and with those differences come different code-related rules. 

Computer Equipment:

Technology sector companies employ a broad range of computer equipment, from simple desktop workstations to server racks, power conditioners, and UPS’s. The great majority of this equipment only has need of a 20 or 30 amp circuit, however, the method for connecting this equipment varies greatly, and can be as simple as a wall plug, or more involved using an SO cord extension and twist lock plugs. 

Food Service Equipment:

Supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, and cafeterias need equipment for refrigeration, food preparation, and serving. Each piece of equipment is unique and needs unique electrical connections. Refrigerators can be small enough to run on a simple 20 amp, 120 volt circuit, but some larger refrigerators may need 30 or 40 amps at 208 volts. Mixers, ovens, microwaves, and steam powered serving tables all have different needs and requirements. An astute installer must know where to look to determine the precise needs of each piece of equipment before it can be put to work. 

Vehicle Charging Equipment:

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more common in our society, and many businesses are offering electric vehicle charging options for their employees, customers, or even their own fleet. Every electric car is unique and has different needs for circuit size and connection type.

3-Phase Equipment:

Heavy industrial equipment is frequently 3-phase. 3-phase equipment is often more expensive to purchase than single phase equipment, but it is less expensive to operate over the long run if it is frequently used. The installer must know the difference between equipment that is made to run on 120 and 208 volt circuits as opposed to 277 and 480 volt circuits. Power must be taken from a particular panel, a specific type of circuit breaker must be installed, and different color coding of the wire is often required. The electrical installation must be specific and correctly executed for 3-phase equipment to operate properly. 

Unique Needs:

Some equipment is stationary, some is mobile. Some work spaces are dedicated to a single piece of equipment, and some are used for multiple machines. Some electrical connections must be made for equipment These factors must be taken into account when determining how the circuit and point of connection are to be installed. 

Other Equipment:

This list gives several general examples of equipment and machinery that requires special electrical connections. If the specific type of equipment that you need fed and connected is not listed, we are most likely prepared to perform the installation. Feel free to call us and tell us about your new equipment.

Every business requires different equipment, and each piece of equipment requires different circuit sizes and connection types. Root Electric has been installing circuits for commercial and industrial equipment since 1986. Call us today for expert advice and a free estimate!

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