What is an electrical load study?

An electrical load study records how much power a panel or electrical service actually uses, usually over 30 days, with calibrated Fluke power quality loggers. The results show peak demand, phase balance and spare capacity, so you know whether the system can handle new equipment, a panel or service upgrade, or whatever is causing repeated trips.

Nameplate ratings and code calculations estimate what a building might draw. A load study measures what it does draw, including the peaks that only show up during real operation. Phoenix Contracting Services runs load studies for commercial and industrial facilities and for larger multifamily and residential projects across the Phoenix area.


When do you need an electrical load study?

  • Adding equipment or expanding

    Confirm there is spare capacity before you buy or install.

  • Upgrading a panel or service

    Size the upgrade from measured demand instead of a guess.

  • Permit or AHJ requests

    Provide measured data when the jurisdiction asks for it.

  • Breakers tripping

    Find out whether peaks, imbalance or one specific load is behind it.

  • Voltage or power quality problems

    Check for sags, swells, harmonics and transients that disrupt sensitive equipment.

  • Insurance documentation

    Supply a record of electrical demand when a carrier asks for it.

Not sure which applies? Call (602) 564-1144 and describe what you are seeing.


What is in a load study report?

  • Peak and average demand (kW, kVA, RMS and amps per phase)
  • Voltage and power factor data
  • Load profile charts and usage trends
  • Phase balance and neutral current
  • Summary of findings and recommendations

Reports are available as PDF, CSV and Excel files, interactive dashboards, interval data and raw logger data.


Does Phoenix Contracting Services provide load calculations?

We assist with load calculations, but we do not stamp them. A load calculation estimates demand from code methods and equipment ratings, and the engineer of record performs and stamps it.

What we bring is the measured side. Our load study data gives the engineer real peak demand and phase readings to work from. For existing buildings, NEC 220.87 allows a recorded 30-day maximum demand to be used in place of estimates when sizing for new load, which is one reason most studies run 30 days.

If your project needs a stamped calculation, we work alongside your engineer of record.


What properties do you study?

Commercial and industrial facilities are our focus, from manufacturing plants and healthcare facilities to data centers, warehouses, retail, aerospace and multifamily buildings, plus larger residential projects. See our commercial electrical services and industrial electrical services.

[PLACEHOLDER PROJECT EXAMPLE: one real load study. Facility type, why it was ordered, what the data showed (peak demand, spare capacity or the cause of the trips), and what the customer did next. Replace before publishing.]


Can Phoenix Contracting Services fix what the study finds?

Yes. We are a licensed Arizona electrical contractor (ROC #153656), so if the data points to an overloaded panel, an undersized service or an unbalanced load, we can do the work. See electrical panel upgrades and service upgrades.

Load data pairs well with infrared thermography, which finds hot connections that load readings alone cannot. Study and scan records can also support NFPA 70B maintenance documentation.

  • Arizona ROC #153656 (K-11)
  • ICC Certified Electrical Inspector E-1 and E-26
  • 40+ years in the Phoenix area
  • Calibrated Fluke equipment

OUR PROCESS

HOW DOES A JOB WITH PHOENIX CONTRACTING SERVICES WORK?

Every job follows three steps: a site walkthrough, testing and documentation, then findings and next steps.

01

WALKTHROUGH AND SCOPE

We visit the site, look at the panels and service, and agree on what needs to be tested or repaired before any work starts.

02

TESTING AND DOCUMENTATION

Load loggers and a thermal camera record what the equipment is doing, and the results are documented for each panel or component we check.

03

FINDINGS AND NEXT STEPS

We go over what we found and your options in plain language. If corrective work is needed, we are licensed to do it.

WHAT CUSTOMERS SAY ABOUT US

5.0 VERIFIED GOOGLE RATING
Jeff and his team were amazing! I needed a load calculation, one line diagram, and a panel schedule for an electrical permit with the city. Phoenix Contracting Services had an unbeatable price and moved quickly to See more
Jeff’s knowledge, experience and professionalism are exemplary! We contracted him to provide engineering plans to permit our relocation and upgrade of electrical service meter. He worked with my electricians on details See more
Absolutely the best there is!! Jeff was very professional yet personable. Always kept us updated with all the details. His crew is also very professional. I highly recommend without any reservations.
Day 1 of moving into my new home, and the electricity in the Garage stopped working. Most importantly, this affected our water heater, so a quick fix was needed. I called Jeff, and he spent the next 30 minutes over the See more
THE BEST⚡️‼️ Jeff and his crew are incredible. They treated us like actual people who were in a summer time crisis. Which is exactly what we were: in crisis without power during an excessive heat warning. The degree of See more
Jeff and his team were the best! They were very knowledgeable and hard working. Very prompt, courteous, and kept me informed of every step they did. Respectful of my property, and after digging up a long trench for See more
We had a tree fall down and knock out the power to 2 of our apartment units. What could have been a highly stressful situation turned out to be quite benign thanks to the Jeff and Phoenix Contracting. Jeff was incredibly See more
We woke to a Friday morning with weird lighting fluctuations. I checked the service panel to find a burning smell and melted bus bar under AC breaker. Since bus bar was melted, I contacted SRP who provided some See more
It actually started in Fall 2020 with my Garage losing power. I bid out the work and hired Phoenix Contracting Services. The following Monday, Jeff and his crew (Mike and Gabriel) came out and finally resolved the See more

A Few Common Questions

Make The Next Step Easier

What types of properties do you service?
We service commercial, industrial, multifamily and residential properties in the Phoenix area, including offices, warehouses, retail spaces, data centers and larger electrical projects. Our specialty is load studies and infrared thermography for commercial and industrial facilities.
Do you offer electrical load studies?
Yes. A load study records how much power a panel or service actually uses, typically over 30 days, with calibrated Fluke power quality loggers. The results show whether the system can handle new equipment, support a panel upgrade or explain a power quality problem. We also assist with load calculations, and the engineer of record performs and stamps them.
How much does an electrical load study cost?
The price depends on how many panels or services are monitored, how long the monitoring runs, and whether the study supports a permit or an engineer's calculations. We quote after we know the scope. Call (602) 564-1144 or request a consultation with a short description of the building.
How does infrared thermography help?
Infrared thermography uses a thermal camera to find hot spots in energized equipment, such as loose connections, overloaded circuits and failing breakers, before they cause an outage or damage. These problems often look normal during a standard visual inspection. Scans are usually done while the equipment runs under normal load.
Can you help with electrical panel upgrades?
Yes. We replace overloaded or outdated panels and upgrade electrical service when breakers trip repeatedly, a panel runs warm or you are adding equipment. A load study can show the capacity you need before you buy new gear. See our panel upgrade services.
Do you provide emergency electrical service?
Yes. Call (602) 564-1144 for power loss, a main breaker that will not reset, burning smells or a damaged panel. If you see smoke, flames or sparks, call 911 first. Learn more about our emergency electrical services.
Can you assist with NFPA 70B compliance services?
Yes. NFPA 70B covers the maintenance of electrical equipment. We help facilities set up and document that maintenance, including infrared scans and equipment inspections. See our NFPA 70B compliance services.
Do you handle residential electrical repairs too?
Yes. Residential service includes inspections, repairs, outlet and lighting work, GFCI and AFCI protection, aluminum wire repair and troubleshooting. See our residential electrical services.
Are you licensed in Arizona?
Yes. Phoenix Contracting Services holds Arizona Registrar of Contractors license #153656 and has more than 40 years in business. Our team includes ICC Certified Electrical Inspectors (E-1 and E-26).
What areas do you serve?
We serve Phoenix and nearby cities, including Anthem, Cave Creek, Glendale, Peoria, Scottsdale, Mesa, Chandler, Goodyear, Buckeye, Tempe, Gilbert and Surprise. See all service areas.
How do I get started?
Call (602) 564-1144 or use the Request a Consultation button with a short description of the issue or project. We will tell you whether it calls for a site visit, a load study or a thermal scan, and what comes next.

Tell Us What Your Electrical System Needs

Share the details of your project, and our team will help you identify the most practical next step.