Business Electrical Panel
Business Electrical Panel | Electric Panel Upgrades | Electrical | Lancing
From bustling workshops on Chartwell Road to the busy storefronts along North Farm Road, Lancing businesses trust HEP to keep their power flowing smoothly. When equipment trips breakers or new machinery strains outdated fuse boxes, our NICEIC-approved team steps in with precision electric panel upgrades that boost capacity, improve safety, and clear the path for growth. We evaluate your current load demands, design a future-proof solution, and install modern breakers and surge protection—all while meeting the latest BS 7671 standards.
Downtime costs money, so we schedule around your peak hours, work cleanly, and hand over tidy certification the same day. Whether you’re adding EV chargers, HVAC systems, or a full production line, an upgraded panel from HEP delivers the headroom and peace of mind you need to power ahead. Talk to our Lancing office today and discover how effortless a professional electric panel upgrade can be.
FAQs
Why might my Lancing business need an electrical panel upgrade?
Older or undersized panels struggle to power today’s equipment-heavy workplaces. Upgrading increases the available amperage, improves fault protection, and reduces the risk of fires or unplanned shutdowns. In Lancing, many light-industrial units still run on 30- to 60-year-old boards that were never designed for modern HVAC, IT racks or EV chargers. A new panel ensures you have the headroom to add machinery, expand operating hours and meet current insurance and regulatory requirements.
How can I tell if my existing panel is overloaded or unsafe?
Common warning signs include frequent breaker trips, buzzing or warm breakers, flickering lights when large loads start, melted insulation, or a panel that still uses fuses instead of MCBs/RCBOs. If your label shows the main breaker rating has been taped over or circuits have been doubled up (two wires in one terminal), you are definitely due for an upgrade. A periodic inspection by an NICEIC or NAPIT-approved contractor will flag issues such as inadequate earthing or insulation resistance that do not meet BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition) standards.
What is involved in a commercial electric panel upgrade and how long does it take?
The process starts with a load calculation and site survey. We then design a new 3-phase or single-phase board with the correct main switch, surge protection, RCBOs and spare ways for growth. On installation day we isolate the supply, remove the old board, fit the new enclosure, re-terminate circuits, label everything and run full dead/live tests. A typical small retail or office panel (up to 24 ways) can be swapped in 4–6 hours; larger workshops with sub-panels may take 1–2 days. We file an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and provide all test results on completion.
Will my business experience downtime during the upgrade?
Yes, the incoming supply must be isolated while the old board is removed and the new one connected. We minimise disruption by scheduling work outside your trading hours—overnight, early morning or at weekends—and by installing temporary power where critical (servers, refrigeration, alarms). For many Lancing premises the total shutdown window is kept under six hours. We will provide a detailed shut-down plan and liaise with UK Power Networks if a service head or meter move is required.
What regulations and certifications apply to electrical panel upgrades in the UK?
All work must comply with BS 7671:2018 (18th Edition Wiring Regulations). Commercial premises also fall under the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989, which require systems to be maintained in a safe condition. Panels rated above 100 A usually need SPDs (surge protection devices) under the 18th Edition. Only qualified electricians who are members of schemes such as NICEIC, NAPIT or ECA should carry out the upgrade and issue an EIC. If the installation alters the supply characteristics, notification to Building Control is required, but we handle all paperwork on your behalf.
How much does an electrical panel upgrade cost for a business in Lancing?
Costs vary with incoming supply size, number of circuits, earthing upgrades and access. As a guide: replacing a small 12-way commercial board starts around £1,100–£1,500 + VAT. A full 3-phase 125 A board with surge protection, metering and 24–36 RCBOs typically runs £2,500–£4,000. Larger industrial boards or those requiring UKPN supply upgrades can exceed £6,000. A site survey provides an accurate fixed quote, and we always include testing, certification and disposal of the old panel in the price.