Load Study Services for EV Businesses

Introduction

As electric vehicle adoption accelerates across Los Angeles and California, property owners and businesses face a critical challenge: ensuring their electrical infrastructure can safely and efficiently support EV charging stations. An electrical load study is the foundation of any successful EV charging installation, whether you're adding a single residential charger or deploying a fleet of commercial charging stations. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we specialize in comprehensive electrical load studies that help Los Angeles property owners make informed decisions about their electrical capacity, prevent costly system overloads, and ensure full compliance with National Electrical Code requirements.

An electrical load study analyzes your existing electrical system's capacity to determine whether it can handle the additional power demand from EV charging equipment without upgrades. This critical assessment evaluates your current electrical panel, service entrance, and overall electrical consumption patterns to calculate available capacity. For commercial properties considering multiple charging stations or residential properties with older electrical panels, a professional load study is not just recommended but essential for safety, code compliance, and long-term reliability.

Understanding NEC Requirements for Electrical Load Calculations

The National Electrical Code establishes specific requirements for calculating electrical loads when installing EV charging equipment. According to NEC Article 220.57, introduced in the 2023 edition, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment must be included in load calculations at a minimum of 7,200 volt-amperes or one hundred percent of the nameplate rating, whichever is greater. This requirement ensures that electrical systems are properly sized to handle the sustained power draw that EV chargers demand.

One of the most important aspects of EV charger load calculations is understanding that these devices operate as continuous loads. The NEC defines a continuous load as one where the maximum current is expected to continue for three hours or more. Because EV charging sessions typically last several hours, all EV charging equipment must be calculated at 125 percent of their rated load. For example, if you're installing a Level 2 charger that draws 32 amperes, your circuit breaker must be rated for at least 40 amperes to account for the continuous load factor. This requirement protects against overheating and potential electrical fires caused by sustained high current draw.

Shaffer Construction stays current with all NEC code requirements and updates to ensure every load study we perform meets or exceeds current standards. Our licensed electricians understand both the standard calculation method under NEC 220.53, where EV chargers are calculated separately at 100 percent of the load, and the optional calculation method under NEC 220.82, which offers some flexibility for residential installations. We also evaluate whether energy management systems covered under NEC 220.70 might provide a cost-effective alternative to panel upgrades for properties with limited electrical capacity.

How Load Studies Prevent Electrical System Overloads

Electrical system overloads represent one of the most serious safety hazards associated with inadequate electrical planning. When electrical demand exceeds the capacity of your panel, wiring, or service entrance, the results can range from nuisance breaker trips to dangerous overheating and electrical fires. A comprehensive load study identifies these risks before installation begins, allowing property owners to make necessary upgrades proactively rather than reactively after problems occur.

During a professional load study, Shaffer Construction evaluates your total connected load including all existing appliances, HVAC systems, lighting, and other electrical equipment. We then calculate your estimated demand load, which represents the maximum power your property is likely to draw simultaneously. This calculation is particularly important in Los Angeles, where many properties have central air conditioning that creates significant seasonal load variations. By understanding these patterns, we can accurately determine whether your electrical system has sufficient capacity for EV charging equipment or whether upgrades are necessary.

As we discussed in our guide to preparing Los Angeles buildings for the EV charging boom, proper electrical planning prevents costly mistakes and ensures long-term reliability. A load study also identifies opportunities for load management strategies that can maximize your existing electrical capacity. For instance, smart EV chargers can be programmed to charge during off-peak hours when other electrical demands are lower, or energy management systems can automatically reduce charging power when your building's total electrical load approaches capacity limits.

Beyond safety considerations, preventing electrical overloads protects your investment in EV charging infrastructure. An undersized electrical system can cause charging equipment to operate inefficiently, reduce charging speeds, or fail prematurely due to voltage drops and power quality issues. Shaffer Construction's thorough load studies ensure that your electrical system provides clean, stable power to your EV charging equipment, maximizing performance and equipment lifespan while protecting your property and occupants.

Commercial vs. Residential Load Study Differences

The approach to electrical load studies differs significantly between commercial and residential properties due to variations in electrical system complexity, code requirements, and charging infrastructure needs. Understanding these differences is essential for property owners planning EV charging installations in Los Angeles.

For residential properties, load studies typically focus on evaluating whether your existing electrical panel can support a single Level 2 EV charger. Most modern Los Angeles homes have 200-ampere electrical panels, which generally provide sufficient capacity for one EV charger without major upgrades, assuming the panel isn't already operating near its maximum capacity. However, according to industry research, approximately 20 percent of homes require additional electrical work beyond basic charger installation. Older homes with 100-ampere or 60-ampere panels almost always require electrical service upgrades to safely accommodate EV charging equipment. Our residential EV charger installation services include comprehensive load studies to determine exactly what your home needs.

Commercial load studies are considerably more complex due to multiple factors. Commercial properties often require multiple charging stations to serve employees, customers, or fleet vehicles, creating significantly higher electrical demands. The NEC requires that each commercial EV charging space have a calculated load of at least 7.2 kilovolt-amperes, or 3.3 kilovolt-amperes if the equipment is controlled by an energy management system. For a commercial property installing ten charging stations, this translates to 72 kilovolt-amperes of additional load without energy management, a substantial increase that frequently requires new electrical panels, upgraded service entrances, or even utility transformer upgrades.

Commercial properties also face more stringent code requirements and permitting processes. The International Energy Conservation Code establishes minimum EV charging infrastructure requirements for new commercial construction and major renovations, and Los Angeles has adopted additional local requirements that affect commercial EV charging installations. Shaffer Construction navigates these complex regulatory requirements daily, ensuring commercial load studies account for all applicable codes, utility interconnection requirements, and future expansion needs. Our experience with Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety permits and Southern California Edison utility coordination streamlines the approval process for commercial projects.

Another key difference is future scalability planning. Residential properties typically install charging capacity for one or two vehicles, while commercial properties must plan for growth. A forward-thinking commercial load study evaluates not just immediate needs but also the electrical infrastructure required to support future charging station additions as EV adoption increases among employees and customers. Shaffer Construction designs commercial electrical systems with expansion capability built in, avoiding costly infrastructure upgrades when additional charging capacity is needed down the road.

Shaffer Construction's Load Study Process in Los Angeles

At Shaffer Construction, we've refined our electrical load study process through hundreds of successful EV charging installations across Los Angeles. Our systematic approach ensures accurate assessments, code compliance, and cost-effective solutions tailored to each property's unique circumstances.

Our load study process begins with a comprehensive on-site evaluation of your electrical system. A licensed Shaffer Construction electrician visits your property to inspect your electrical panel, service entrance, and overall electrical infrastructure. We document your current panel size, available breaker spaces, existing electrical loads, and the condition of your electrical equipment. This physical inspection reveals details that paper calculations alone cannot capture, such as outdated wiring, corrosion, or other safety concerns that might affect your EV charging installation. For commercial properties, we also evaluate transformer capacity, three-phase power availability, and electrical room layout to determine the optimal charging infrastructure configuration.

Following the site inspection, our engineering team performs detailed load calculations in accordance with NEC Article 220 requirements. We calculate your property's existing demand load using the appropriate standard or optional calculation method, then add the proposed EV charging load calculated at the correct continuous load factor. This analysis determines whether your electrical service has adequate available capacity or whether upgrades are necessary. We also evaluate alternatives such as energy management systems, load sharing between charging stations, or strategic load shedding that might allow EV charging installation without expensive panel or service upgrades.

For properties requiring electrical upgrades, Shaffer Construction provides detailed recommendations with cost estimates for all necessary work. This might include upgrading from a 100-ampere panel to a 200-ampere panel, installing a sub-panel specifically for EV charging circuits, or coordinating with Southern California Edison to upgrade your electrical service entrance. We explain all options clearly, helping you understand the costs and benefits of each approach so you can make informed decisions about your EV charging infrastructure investment.

Our load studies also incorporate forward-thinking capacity planning. As outlined in our article on planning EV charger infrastructure in Los Angeles, we help property owners anticipate future needs beyond immediate requirements. For a homeowner purchasing their first EV, we might design electrical upgrades that accommodate a second charger when a spouse later purchases an electric vehicle. For commercial properties, we plan electrical infrastructure that supports phased charging station deployments as EV adoption grows, avoiding the need to repeatedly upgrade electrical systems as charging demand increases.

Once the load study is complete, Shaffer Construction provides a comprehensive written report documenting our findings, calculations, and recommendations. This report serves multiple purposes: it guides your project planning and budgeting, satisfies permit application requirements with the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety, and provides documentation for utility interconnection applications when service upgrades are necessary. Our detailed reports give you confidence that your EV charging installation is properly engineered, code-compliant, and built on a foundation of accurate electrical analysis.

When Your Los Angeles Property Needs a Load Study

Understanding when to invest in a professional electrical load study helps Los Angeles property owners avoid costly mistakes and ensure safe, reliable EV charging installations. While every EV charging project benefits from professional electrical assessment, certain situations make load studies particularly critical.

Properties with older electrical systems should always undergo load studies before EV charger installation. If your Los Angeles home or building was constructed before 1990, there's a high probability that your electrical panel is rated for 100 amperes or less. These older panels rarely have sufficient capacity for modern EV charging equipment without upgrades. Even properties with 200-ampere panels installed decades ago may have outdated components, deteriorated connections, or obsolete panel designs that warrant replacement regardless of capacity calculations. Shaffer Construction frequently discovers safety issues during load studies that property owners were completely unaware of, making the investment worthwhile even beyond the EV charging project itself.

Commercial properties planning multiple charging stations absolutely require professional load studies. The cumulative electrical load from multiple charging stations can easily exceed available electrical capacity, and the financial and safety consequences of inadequate electrical infrastructure are simply too significant to risk. As discussed in our guide to deciding and planning your EV charger infrastructure project, comprehensive electrical assessment is the foundation of successful commercial charging installations. Our electrical load study services help commercial property owners understand their options, budget appropriately, and implement charging infrastructure that meets current needs while accommodating future growth.

Properties with high existing electrical loads also benefit significantly from load studies. If your home or building operates multiple high-demand appliances such as electric heating, central air conditioning, electric water heaters, pool pumps, or electric cooking appliances, available electrical capacity may be limited even with a modern 200-ampere panel. A load study quantifies exactly how much capacity remains available and identifies strategies for managing loads efficiently to accommodate EV charging without exceeding panel ratings.

Finally, any property owner uncertain about their electrical system's capacity should invest in a load study for peace of mind. The relatively modest cost of a professional load study is insignificant compared to the potential costs of electrical system failures, fire damage, or having to redo electrical work because initial installations were improperly sized. Shaffer Construction's load studies provide Los Angeles property owners with accurate information and expert guidance that protects their investment and ensures their EV charging infrastructure is built right the first time.

Conclusion

Electrical load studies are the essential first step for any property owner considering EV charging installation in Los Angeles. These comprehensive assessments ensure your electrical system can safely support the sustained power demands of EV charging equipment, prevent dangerous overloads, and meet all National Electrical Code requirements. Whether you're installing a single residential charger or deploying commercial charging infrastructure, Shaffer Construction's expert load study services provide the accurate electrical analysis and professional guidance you need for a successful project.

As EV adoption continues accelerating across California, proactive electrical planning becomes increasingly important for property owners who want to stay ahead of the curve. Our thorough load studies evaluate not just your immediate needs but also future capacity requirements, helping you make smart infrastructure investments that serve you well for years to come. From understanding complex NEC calculations to navigating Los Angeles permitting requirements and coordinating utility upgrades, Shaffer Construction brings the expertise and experience that ensures your EV charging project succeeds.

For expert electrical load study services in Los Angeles, including comprehensive capacity assessments, NEC-compliant load calculations, and professional recommendations for EV charging infrastructure, contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. Our licensed electricians and engineers have completed hundreds of successful load studies and EV charging installations across Los Angeles, and we're ready to help you evaluate your property's electrical capacity and plan your EV charging project with confidence. Call us at 323-642-8509 or email hello@shaffercon.com to schedule a consultation. Visit our website at shaffercon.com to learn more about our electrical services, load study process, and EV charging installation expertise.