Electrical Load Balancing for Industrial Buildings

There are a few concepts that hold significant importance for many industrial and commercial buildings with regard to electricity, and one that cannot be ignored here is electrical load and load balancing. Crucial for everything from safety and energy efficiency to code compliance and more, electrical load balancing is an important process that should be carried out by professionals.

At Redi, we’re proud to offer electrical services and numerous other industrial construction solutions, ranging from building construction and site cleanup to HVAC, welding, scaffolding and more. Here’s a primer on what electrical load is, why monitoring it is important, and why load balancing is also vital for any building construction or long-term building usage.

What is Electrical Load?

Firstly, for those just learning about construction, what exactly is electrical load? In essence, it’s the amount of electricity a building or facility uses at any given time. This will vary based on several factors, including building size and capacity, number of occupants (and their energy use), appliances within the facility and more.

Ways of Monitoring Electrical Load

As anyone with experience in electrical areas is well aware, there are three basic metrics that help understand a building’s electrical load:

• Voltage: When we talk about voltage, we’re talking about the difference in electrical potential energy between two points. This will vary depending on the type of equipment used, and can be measured in volts (V).
• Frequency: This is the speed at which an electrical current oscillates, and is typically measured in hertz (Hz). In the US, it’s standard to have a frequency of 60 Hz.
• Loading: This is the amount of electricity used at any given time, and can be measured in watts (W) or kilowatts (kW).

What is Electrical Load Balancing?

As the name suggests, electrical load balancing is the process of distributing or balancing the amount of electricity being used across multiple circuits or systems. It involves both consistent monitoring of the electrical load, as well as taking steps to ensure that certain circuits or systems are not overloaded while others remain underutilized.

This is crucial for several reasons, which we’ll dig into in our next few sections.

Steering Clear of Overloaded Circuits

One of the most important reasons to monitor and balance electrical load is to avoid overloading circuits. When a circuit is overloaded, it can lead to overheating, which in turn increases the risk of fire or equipment failure.

This is especially important for commercial and industrial buildings where there may be numerous large appliances or machines drawing significant amounts of energy at once. Proper load balancing ensures that no single circuit is carrying too much electrical load, so the risk of overloading is minimized.

Energy Efficiency and Cost Savings

Another benefit of proper load balancing is energy efficiency. By distributing the electrical load evenly across multiple circuits or systems, no single circuit is being overworked and wasting unnecessary energy. This leads to cost savings on electricity bills and can also contribute to a more sustainable building operation.

This is especially valuable for large industrial buildings where energy usage can be significant and cost savings can add up quickly. By carefully monitoring and balancing electrical load, building owners can ensure that their operations are as energy-efficient as possible.

Code Compliance

Electrical load balancing is also a crucial component of code compliance for commercial and industrial buildings. In the US, there are specific regulations set by the National Electrical Code (NEC) that must be followed to ensure safe and compliant building operations. Proper load balancing is one of these requirements, and failure to comply can result in fines or even shutdowns.

Improved Power Quality

Furthermore, proper load balancing can also lead to improved power quality for the building. When electrical load is evenly distributed, there is less strain on individual circuits or systems, resulting in more stable and reliable power delivery. This can reduce the risk of power outages or equipment failures due to overworked circuits.

Role of Power Factor Correction (PFC) Devices

One particular device that can assist with electrical load balancing is a power factor correction (PFC) device. These devices help to improve the way your electrical system processes electricity, which can lead to more efficient and balanced load distribution.

Electrical load balancing is a crucial process that should not be ignored in any building construction or operation. By properly monitoring and balancing electrical load, building owners can ensure safety, energy efficiency, code compliance, and improved power quality.

At Redi, our team of experienced professionals is well-equipped to handle all your electrical needs, including load balancing and other services. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help with your next project in Colorado, Wyoming or Nevada.