Three-Phase, Switchgear & Service
Commercial Panel Upgrade
400A–800A+ service upgrades, three-phase distribution, sub-panels, and switchgear for offices, retail, and warehouses — load calcs, permits, and PG&E coordination included. For homes, see our residential panel upgrade page.
Get a Quote →Growing businesses, new equipment, and EV charging all draw more power than older commercial services were built for. Fox Electric upgrades commercial panels and switchgear across the Bay Area — 400A to 800A+, single- and three-phase — and runs the load calcs, permits, and PG&E coordination so the cutover is scheduled, documented, and low-disruption.
Commercial Panel & Service Upgrades
400A Three-Phase Service
Three-phase 400A service for offices, retail, and small commercial buildings — full NEC load calculation included.
600A–800A Switchboards
Heavy-duty switchboards and distribution for warehouses, manufacturing, and large facilities.
Sub-Panels & Distribution
Add capacity for new equipment, EV charging, or a build-out without replacing the main service.
Federal Pacific / Zinsco
Documented fire-risk panels flagged by insurers — replaced with modern, code-compliant equipment.
Tenant-Improvement Panels
New panels and metering for restaurants, medical suites, and retail fit-outs — coordinated with your GC.
PG&E / Utility Coordination
Service applications, load letters, meter upgrades, and transformer sizing — all utility paperwork handled.
How a Commercial Upgrade Works
Sized by a load study, permitted, and cut over with minimal downtime.
Load Study & Assessment
We review existing service, future loads, and equipment, then run a commercial load calc (NEC Article 220) to size the system.
Permit & PG&E
We pull the city permit, file the PG&E service application and load letter, and schedule the meter and transformer work.
Changeover
We do as much prep as possible live, then schedule the cutover for off-hours to minimize downtime — temporary power for critical systems where needed.
Inspection & Sign-Off
City inspection, arc-flash labeling, and as-built documentation — handed to you for your records and insurer.
400A Three-Phase Upgrade — Bay Area Retail
A retail tenant added a commercial kitchen and rooftop HVAC that the existing single-phase service couldn't carry. We upgraded to 400A three-phase, coordinated the PG&E transformer and meter, and scheduled the cutover overnight so the store opened on time the next morning.
- Before: Overloaded single-phase service, no capacity for new loads
- After: 400A three-phase service + distribution, fully labeled
- Utility: PG&E transformer and meter coordinated
- Downtime: Overnight cutover — open for business next morning
Typical Investment
Ranges vary significantly with existing infrastructure, PG&E requirements, and scope. We provide a firm fixed-price quote after a free on-site assessment.
Why Businesses Choose Fox Electric
Licensed & Insured
CSLB #1145945, C-10 licensed and fully bonded. Every job permitted and inspected to current code.
5.0★ on Google
132 reviews from Bay Area clients. We earn the rating on every job, not just the first.
Minimal Downtime
We schedule cutovers for evenings and weekends and provide temporary power for critical systems, so operations keep running.
Three-Phase Expertise
208V, 240V, and 480V distribution, switchgear, and load calcs — sized right the first time for your equipment.
Permits & PG&E Handled
Service application, load letter, meter and transformer coordination, and city inspection — all on us.
Documented & Labeled
As-built drawings, typed panel directories, and arc-flash labeling — closeout your insurer and next contractor will thank you for.
Commercial Panel Upgrade Questions
How long does a commercial panel upgrade take?
A sub-panel is typically one day; a 400A service upgrade runs 1–3 days; switchgear replacement 3–5 days. PG&E coordination can add 2–6 weeks to the overall timeline, which we manage up front.
Will my business lose power during the work?
Usually for part of the project. We schedule shutdowns for off-hours where possible and provide temporary power for critical systems (servers, refrigeration, security) to minimize disruption.
Do you handle three-phase systems?
Yes — we install and upgrade 208V, 240V, and 480V three-phase services, switchgear, and distribution, with full load calculations.
Do you pull permits and coordinate with PG&E?
Completely. Service application, load letter, meter pull and reset, transformer sizing, permit, and inspection — you don't deal with the utility.
When does a commercial property need a panel upgrade?
Adding EV charging, new HVAC or kitchen equipment, a tenant build-out, or a failing/obsolete panel — or when a fire inspector or insurer flags the equipment.
How do I know if I need single-phase or three-phase service?
It depends on your equipment. Large motors, commercial HVAC, kitchens, elevators, and most heavy machinery run more efficiently — and sometimes only — on three-phase. We confirm with a load study and your equipment specs, and coordinate the phase change with PG&E if one is needed.
As a tenant, can I upgrade the panel, or does the landlord have to?
Either can, but it is worth sorting out first. We work with both tenants and property owners, coordinate with your GC on tenant improvements, and make sure the permit scope and the PG&E account holder are lined up before we start.
Why is the price range so wide?
Commercial upgrades vary a lot with existing infrastructure, PG&E transformer and meter requirements, conduit runs, and whether the job is a panel or full switchgear. That is why we give a firm fixed-price quote after a site assessment instead of a guess over the phone.
Get in Touch
Need More Electrical Capacity?
Call (650) 550-0719 or request a quote — we run the load study, handle PG&E, and schedule a low-downtime cutover.
Free estimates · Troubleshooting $90/hr · Safety inspection pricing — ask our team
(650) 550-0719