Commercial / General electrical
Industrial sheds
Power a space that works hard. Lighting, machinery supplies, distribution and energy upgrades for sheds, workshops and warehouses.
Local electricians · Clear advice · Ongoing support
Lighting a large volume
High ceilings change everything about lighting. Light falls off with distance, so a fitting that works at 2.7 metres may not suit a 9 metre ceiling. High bay LED fittings are designed for the throw, and getting the spacing and beam angle right is what determines whether the floor is evenly lit or full of dim patches between pools of light.
Upgrading older metal halide or fluorescent high bays to LED is usually one of the fastest paybacks available in an industrial building, because the fittings run for long hours and the old technology is very inefficient. LED also starts instantly, which metal halide does not, and that matters if lighting is on sensors or is switched through the day.
Three phase and machinery
- Dedicated circuits for machinery, correctly sized for starting current as well as running current.
- Three phase outlets and hard-wired connections, positioned for the actual plant layout.
- Motor control and isolation, so plant can be safely isolated for maintenance.
- Distribution boards located sensibly for the shed rather than all at one end.
- Compressed air, extraction and workshop equipment supply.
Where the existing supply cannot carry new plant, the answer is usually a staged upgrade rather than a full replacement. See electrical infrastructure upgrades and commercial switchboard upgrades.
That roof is an asset
An industrial shed roof is close to ideal for solar. It is large, usually unshaded, structurally sound and typically at a low pitch with a good orientation. Combine that with a business that runs during daylight hours and consumes most of what it generates, and the economics are usually better than on a house.
We will assess the structure and the roof sheeting as part of a feasibility study, then design a system on your actual load profile. See commercial solar.
Watch your demand charges. Many commercial tariffs bill on peak demand as well as consumption. A single large motor starting at the wrong moment can set your demand charge for the whole month. Battery storage can smooth that out.
Good to know
Your questions, answered.
Can you upgrade high bay lighting while we keep working?
Usually yes, in sections. We plan it so the areas being worked on are isolated and the rest of the floor keeps operating.
Do we have three phase power?
Most industrial sites do, but capacity varies. We check what you have and what is available before designing anything that depends on it.
Is our shed roof strong enough for solar?
Most are, but it has to be assessed rather than assumed, particularly on older buildings. That assessment is part of the feasibility work.
Can you install machinery circuits for equipment we have not bought yet?
Yes, if you can give us the specifications. Running the circuit during other work is can be more practical than a separate visit later.
Let’s talk about your project.
Tell us your suburb, priorities and the work you have in mind. We’ll help you take the next step.