Power Distribution
Size It Right Before You Build It.
A load calculation adds up the total electrical demand of a building — lighting, HVAC, equipment, receptacles, and any planned additions — and compares it against the capacity of the service and panels feeding it. The NEC requires this calculation before sizing a new service entrance, feeder, or panel, and utilities require it before approving a service upgrade.
Loch Monster Electric performs NEC-compliant load calculations for commercial new construction, tenant fit-outs, equipment additions, and service upgrades across the Twin Cities Metro — producing the documentation your permit submittal and utility application require.
When Do You Need
Sizing a service entrance, feeder, or distribution panel without a load calculation is not code-compliant — and it is how buildings end up with electrical infrastructure that cannot support what the space actually needs. The NEC requires a formal calculation before a permit can be issued, and inspectors will check that the panel and service are sized to match it. We produce stamped, NEC-compliant load calculations in the format your permit submittal requires, coordinated with your building plans so the electrical system is sized correctly from the start — not adjusted after the walls are closed.
Adding large HVAC equipment, EV charging stations, commercial kitchen equipment, or production machinery introduces new electrical demand that your existing service may or may not be able to absorb. Operating near or above panel capacity causes nuisance tripping, voltage sags, and accelerated wear on breakers and wiring — problems that compound until something fails. A load calculation before the addition tells you exactly where your current service stands and whether an upgrade is needed before installation begins — not after the equipment is already on-site and the contractor is waiting.
Utilities do not approve service upgrades on request — they require formal documentation that justifies the new service size and confirms the installation meets code. Without it, the application stalls and your project timeline is affected. We provide load calculations in the format that Twin Cities area utilities require, with the supporting documentation needed to keep the approval process moving. If the calculation is part of a larger panel upgrade or three-phase installation we are also managing, we coordinate both so there are no gaps between the paperwork and the work.
Want A Commercial Load Calculation?
Who We Are
Time And Materials Pricing—So You Only Pay For What Your Job Actually Needs.
Licensed And Insured Electricians Who Treat Your Home Or Building With Respect
Clear Communication—We'll Walk You Through What We're Doing And Why
Local Folks Who Care About Doing Things The Right Way—Not Just The Fast Way
If breakers trip under normal load, you are adding equipment that your current service cannot handle, or you are planning a tenant buildout that requires more capacity, those are all signs. A load calculation tells you exactly where you stand. We do these before recommending any panel work.
A load calculation adds up the electrical demand of everything running in your building and compares it against your service capacity. It tells you whether your current panel can handle what you are asking of it, and it is what we use to size any upgrade correctly. Skipping a load calculation is how you end up with a panel that is too small six months after the upgrade.
If you run large motors, industrial HVAC, manufacturing equipment, commercial refrigeration, or high-capacity machinery, three-phase power is almost certainly the more efficient and cost-effective option. For a standard office or retail space, single-phase is usually sufficient. We look at your equipment list and tell you what makes sense.
Most commercial panel upgrades are completed in one to two days, depending on the size of the service and the condition of the existing installation. We coordinate the utility disconnect in advance and schedule the inspection so there are no unnecessary gaps between the work and the sign-off.
Yes. A properly installed generator connection requires a transfer switch that prevents backfeed onto the utility grid, which is both a safety requirement and a code requirement. We install manual and automatic transfer switches for commercial properties and size the connection to the loads you need the generator to cover.
Why Choose Us
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GOOGLEOur Electrical Services
From panel upgrades and rewiring to EV chargers and modern lighting, we help homeowners keep their electrical systems safe, reliable, and ready for their unique life inside.
From office buildouts and lighting retrofits to panel upgrades and code compliance, we keep your business powered and protected.
We work with HOAs and property managers to keep common areas, amenities, and residential units safe and up to code.
Where We Work
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