Load Study Services LA | Shaffer Construction, Inc.

Introduction

As Los Angeles property owners increasingly invest in electric vehicle chargers and electrical upgrades, one critical step is often overlooked: the electrical load study. Whether you're planning to install a residential or commercial EV charger, upgrade your electrical panel, or add significant electrical capacity to your property, understanding your current electrical load capacity is essential. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., we specialize in comprehensive electrical load studies that identify your property's actual electrical capacity, pinpoint potential safety issues, and determine what upgrades are necessary to support new equipment and services. This guide explores what load studies are, why they're vital for Los Angeles properties in 2025, and how our expert team can help you make informed decisions about your electrical infrastructure.

What Is an Electrical Load Study and Why It Matters

An electrical load study is a detailed technical assessment of your property's electrical system, including your main service panel, existing circuits, and connected equipment. During a load study, engineers measure the actual electrical demand your property currently uses and calculate the available capacity for future additions like EV chargers or other high-demand equipment. At Shaffer Construction, we use specialized testing equipment to evaluate everything from your main service entrance to individual circuits, creating a comprehensive picture of your electrical infrastructure.

Many property owners in Los Angeles assume their electrical panel has sufficient capacity for new equipment, but this assumption frequently leads to costly problems. An undersized or aging electrical panel can become a safety hazard, potentially causing fires, equipment damage, or system failures. Additionally, if your panel doesn't have adequate capacity, you may need an expensive service upgrade before you can install that Level 2 EV charger or commercial charging station you need. Shaffer Construction's load studies prevent these issues by identifying exactly what your system can handle and what upgrades are necessary.

Electrical Load Studies for EV Charger Installation in Los Angeles

California's aggressive push toward electric vehicle adoption makes Los Angeles one of the most active EV charger markets in the country. Whether you're installing a residential Level 2 charger (240-volt, 7.7 kW) or a commercial fast-charging station, the electrical requirements are substantial. A single Level 2 charger requires a dedicated 40-60 amp circuit, while commercial installations may need 100+ amps or even a separate service upgrade. Without a proper load study, property owners often discover too late that their electrical panel cannot support the charger they want to install.

Shaffer Construction's load study process for EV charging projects begins with a thorough examination of your current electrical service. We measure your typical daily electrical consumption, identify peak demand times, and evaluate your available capacity. This information is crucial because the National Electrical Code (NEC) requires that any new equipment be installed with proper circuit protection and capacity planning. Our team also reviews your property's layout to determine the most efficient and cost-effective location for your charger's dedicated circuit. As detailed in our comprehensive guide on how to plan and pay for EV charger installation, proper load assessment is the first step in any successful project.

The Load Study Process: What Shaffer Construction Does

When you contact Shaffer Construction for a load study, we follow a systematic process designed to give you complete clarity about your electrical system's capabilities and limitations. Our process begins with a comprehensive site inspection where we examine your main service panel, identify the age and condition of your electrical system, and photograph the current configuration. We review your electrical utility bills to understand your historical power consumption patterns, which helps us predict how new equipment will affect your overall electrical usage.

Next, our licensed engineers use sophisticated testing equipment to measure actual circuit loads, voltage quality, and potential imbalances across your three-phase system (if applicable). We calculate your service panel's current available capacity and simulate the electrical load of the equipment you plan to add. This detailed analysis allows us to provide you with a professional report that shows exactly what upgrades are needed. For many Los Angeles properties, this report reveals that a service upgrade from 100 amps to 200 amps is necessary—a significant but standard upgrade that becomes essential when multiple high-demand devices are added.

Shaffer Construction's load study reports include technical diagrams, calculations, and clear recommendations. We don't just identify problems; we provide practical solutions. Our team explains the findings in plain language, helping you understand what each recommendation means for your project timeline and budget. This collaborative approach ensures you can make informed decisions with full confidence in the analysis.

Common Issues Discovered During Load Studies in Los Angeles Properties

Through years of conducting load studies across Los Angeles, Shaffer Construction has identified several recurring electrical issues that affect residential and commercial properties. Older homes and buildings—particularly those built before 1980—frequently have undersized main service panels that are completely inadequate for modern electrical demands. A property with a 60-amp or 100-amp service that hasn't been upgraded cannot support modern HVAC systems, electric cooking appliances, and an EV charger simultaneously.

Another common issue is improper load distribution across circuits. Many Los Angeles properties have multiple heavy-draw appliances connected to the same circuit, creating fire hazards and limiting available capacity for new equipment. We also frequently discover deteriorated wiring, outdated breakers, and ground/neutral imbalances that pose serious safety risks. In commercial properties, we often find that electrical systems designed decades ago for light office use cannot accommodate modern computing infrastructure, LED lighting retrofits, and multiple EV charging stations. As discussed in our article on preparing Los Angeles buildings for the EV charging boom, many property managers are surprised by how much electrical infrastructure needs updating.

Climate considerations also play a role in Los Angeles electrical systems. Air conditioning load during peak summer months significantly impacts overall system capacity, meaning a load study conducted in winter may not account for summer demand. Shaffer Construction accounts for seasonal variations, ensuring our recommendations are accurate year-round.

Service Panel Upgrades and Electrical Safety in Los Angeles

When a load study reveals that your electrical panel cannot support your planned upgrades, a service panel upgrade becomes necessary. This is a significant undertaking that requires coordination with your utility company and Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety. A typical upgrade involves increasing your main service from 100 amps to 200 amps, which requires upgrading the service entrance cable, main breaker, and often the meter base. While expensive—typically $2,000 to $5,000 or more depending on your property's configuration—this investment is essential for safety and future-proofing your property.

Shaffer Construction manages every aspect of service upgrades, from the initial load study through final utility company approval. We ensure that all work meets current NEC code requirements and Los Angeles building codes. Our electrical load study and panel upgrade services include obtaining all necessary permits and coordinating inspections with the city. We understand that service upgrades disrupt your property's electricity temporarily, so we schedule work efficiently and communicate clearly with you throughout the process.

Beyond service upgrades, our load studies often identify opportunities to improve electrical efficiency and safety. We may recommend circuit redistributions, installation of dedicated circuits for specific equipment, or upgrades to your electrical panel's breaker configuration. These improvements not only support new equipment like EV chargers but also enhance overall system safety and reduce fire risk.

Planning Your Electrical Upgrades for Long-Term Growth

In 2025, any electrical upgrade you make should account for long-term growth and changing technology. If you're installing an EV charger now, you may want to plan for additional chargers in the future. If you're upgrading your commercial electrical system, you should anticipate increased computing and charging infrastructure needs. Shaffer Construction's load studies evaluate not just your immediate needs but your property's realistic electrical requirements over the next five to ten years.

This forward-thinking approach saves money and frustration. Rather than making incremental upgrades every few years, a comprehensive load study and single substantial service upgrade creates capacity for future growth. Los Angeles businesses planning for multiple vehicle fleets should especially consider this approach—a load study that accounts for future charging stations ensures you won't need another expensive service upgrade in three years when you expand your fleet.

As highlighted in our guide on EV charging infrastructure in 2025 for Los Angeles property owners, planning is the key differentiator between successful EV charging installations and frustrating, delayed projects.

Conclusion

Electrical load studies are not optional—they're essential for any serious electrical upgrade in Los Angeles, especially when adding EV charging infrastructure. At Shaffer Construction, Inc., our comprehensive load study services provide the detailed technical analysis you need to make informed decisions about your property's electrical future. Whether you're a homeowner adding a residential EV charger, a business installing commercial charging stations, or a property manager planning a major electrical upgrade, our expert team can help.

We've helped hundreds of Los Angeles property owners and businesses understand their electrical systems, identify necessary upgrades, and execute safe, code-compliant installations. Our load study reports provide clear recommendations backed by detailed engineering analysis, ensuring you know exactly what needs to happen next. Shaffer Construction's full-service approach means we can not only conduct your load study but also manage the entire upgrade process, from permits to final inspection.

Ready to understand your property's electrical capacity and plan your upgrades? Contact Shaffer Construction, Inc. today for a comprehensive electrical load study. Call us at 323-642-8509 or email hello@shaffercon.com to schedule a consultation. Visit shaffercon.com to learn more about our complete range of electrical services, including EV charger installation, panel upgrades, and facilities maintenance throughout Los Angeles. Let us help you build a safer, more capable electrical infrastructure for your property.