Increasing power supply to building

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the need to increase the power supply to an industrial warehouse from 5 kW to at least 10 kW to accommodate the installation of tankless water heaters. Participants explore the implications of this increase on the existing electrical infrastructure, potential costs, and the adequacy of the current system.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant notes the need to increase power output and questions whether infrastructure changes are necessary, including the potential requirement for the electricity supplier to set up more power poles.
  • Another participant corrects the terminology used, stating that it should be kilowatts (kW) instead of kilowatts per hour.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the adequacy of the current 5 kW supply, suggesting that a typical warehouse might have a capacity closer to 24 kW.
  • Concerns are raised about the electricity shutting off when multiple appliances are used, with speculation about the distribution of the electrical grid and the potential for overloading circuits.
  • One participant emphasizes the high power consumption of tankless water heaters and discusses the necessary wiring and circuit breaker ratings needed to support such appliances.
  • There is a suggestion that an electrician should be consulted to assess the current system and provide guidance on necessary upgrades.
  • Another participant mentions that a traditional tank heater might be more practical than tankless options due to the power requirements.
  • Some participants request more specific information about the warehouse's electrical system, including the rating of circuit breakers and the layout of the switchboard.
  • One participant expresses frustration with guesswork in the discussion, emphasizing the importance of accurate information for safety reasons.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the adequacy of the current power supply or the specific requirements for increasing it. Multiple competing views and uncertainties remain regarding the necessary infrastructure changes and the typical power capacity for similar buildings.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include the lack of specific information about the current electrical system, such as circuit breaker ratings and the overall capacity of the warehouse. There are also unresolved questions about the implications of increasing power supply and the potential costs involved.

CognitiveNet
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I have a warehouse (industrial building) which has a 5killowatt/hour output. This is a 3 phase supply.
I need to increase it to at least 10killowatt/hour. The electrical system is modern. But do I need to change the infrastructure to increase the power output?

If I need to change the infrastructure, does it mean the electricity supplier also needs to setup more power poles (the wooden poles the lines are attached to)?

Can you assume how much it would cost to achieve this increase in poweroutput?
--------------------------------------…
What will it be used for? I'm installing a couple tankless waterheater. Each one of them seem to have a power consumption of 4killowatt/hour. Is this normal?
 
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First of all, it's just kilowatts (kW). There is no such thing as kilowatts per hour.

Second, 5 kW is pretty low. My house, for example, has a capacity of 24 kW. So I'd be surprised if your building can't handle it. The main electrical panel should tell you the size of the main circuit breaker and probably the voltage. Either way, you're going to need to hire an electrician to wire the heaters, so they'll be able to tell you what you need to make it work.
 
russ_watters said:
First of all, it's just kilowatts (kW). There is no such thing as kilowatts per hour.

Second, 5 kW is pretty low. My house, for example, has a capacity of 24 kW. So I'd be surprised if your building can't handle it. The main electrical panel should tell you the size of the main circuit breaker and probably the voltage. Either way, you're going to need to hire an electrician to wire the heaters, so they'll be able to tell you what you need to make it work.

In that case, why does the electricity "shut off" when I've got too many things on in the kitchen? I suppose the grid is divided into different parts? But for an industrial building, I suppose the grid would mostly be concentrated to one room?
 
CognitiveNet said:
In that case, why does the electricity "shut off" when I've got too many things on in the kitchen?
Your warehouse has a kitchen? Maybe you are powering multiple power-hungry appliances from a single power outlet and using double adapters or power boards to do this?

How many amps are the circuit breakers rated on your 3 phase?
 
NascentOxygen said:
Your warehouse has a kitchen? Maybe you are powering multiple power-hungry appliances from a single power outlet and using double adapters or power boards to do this?

How many amps are the circuit breakers rated on your 3 phase?

I don't know the amps rating. But I need to connect at least two, tankless water heaters which run on at least 4kWh. (I'm using an industrial warehouse/showroom as a studio). I'm not sure if such a building which consists of a single room would have any powergrid close to i.e. 24kW.

The rest of the building is just a pair of offices, one on 1st and other on 2nd floor. It has water connected to it.
 
Can you assume that this typical warehouse (100m^2) would have a capacity of 24kw?
Do I need to be more specific?
 
Last edited:
CognitiveNet said:
I don't know the amps rating. But I need to connect at least two, tankless water heaters which run on at least 4kWh. (I'm using an industrial warehouse/showroom as a studio). I'm not sure if such a building which consists of a single room would have any powergrid close to i.e. 24kW.

The rest of the building is just a pair of offices, one on 1st and other on 2nd floor. It has water connected to it.

I replied you... see above.
 
Tankless water heaters are HUGE power eaters.

24 kw is 100 amps at 240 volts. And that's about what you'd need for a 4 gpm hot shower.

You need wire about the size of your thumb to deliver 100 amps.
I will be surprised if you find an outlet that large.

The landlord could get one put in for you surely
but an old fashioned tank heater may be more practical.
If you build a box around it and insulate it well it'll be as efficient as a tankless, by any reasonable measure.

that's my thoughts.
 
I think you should be able to take a good photo of the switchboard/meterboard and post a link to it. The printing needs to be readable.
 
  • #10
CognitiveNet said:
Can you assume that this typical warehouse (100m^2) would have a capacity of 24kw?
Do I need to be more specific?
You can't assume anything. You need to hire an electrician.
 
  • #11
NascentOxygen said:
I think you should be able to take a good photo of the switchboard/meterboard and post a link to it. The printing needs to be readable.

But could you please tell me what the most common powergrid is for a typical small warehouse/showroom at 100m^2 or higher? You'd be doing me a great favor.
 
  • #12
Sorry, guesswork is not acceptable in matters of life and death. If you won't listen to us, we won't help you kill yourself. Thread locked.
 

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