A power load survey sounds technical, but for you it’s one of the least disruptive jobs we do. Here’s what happens from start to finish, so you know what to expect.
1. A quick chat about what you need to know
Are you moving premises, adding EV chargers, buying new machinery or chasing a tripping problem? The reason for the survey decides how long we log for and what the report focuses on.
2. Fitting the logger
One of our engineers connects a power logger at your incoming supply or main switchboard. The current clamps fit around the cables, so in most cases there’s no need to switch your power off. It usually takes under an hour, and the logger is locked away safely while it records.
3. Logging: 7 days or 14?
7 days captures a full working week, including the weekend, and is enough for most offices, shops and light industrial sites with a steady routine.
14 days is better if your workload varies from week to week, you run shifts, or there’s equipment that only runs occasionally. Two weeks gives a much more reliable peak.
Seasonal sites are worth thinking about too. A building with electric heating or heavy air conditioning will peak at different times of year, so we’ll talk about when to log.
4. What gets recorded
- Current on each phase
- Voltage
- Power in kVA and kW
- Power factor
- Your maximum demand and when it happened
- How balanced the load is across the three phases
5. The report
You get a clear report with graphs of your demand over the logging period, your peak figures in the kVA and amps that network operators and agents use, how much headroom is left on your supply, and our recommendations. It’s written in plain English, so you can share it with your landlord, agent or finance team.
Ready to find out what your building really uses?
We use our own engineers and our own loggers, so we can usually get started quickly. See how our power load surveys work, ask for a quote or call 01525 582582.
