Commercial load planning checklist for new equipment

Commercial equipment additions move faster when nameplate data, operating schedule, voltage, and utility questions are gathered before design review.

Use this guide before commercial equipment is added or a utility/service request is filed, so nameplates, demand evidence, drawings, and escalation risks are in one package.

When to use this guide

• A tenant, contractor, or owner is adding HVAC, kitchen, shop, medical, lighting, motor, EVSE, or process equipment.
• A utility, landlord, engineer, or authority asks for load lists, single-line drawings, cut sheets, photos, or demand history.
• The project may trigger motor-starting, harmonics, power-factor, phase-balance, fault-current, or service-upgrade review.

Inputs to gather

• Equipment nameplate data: voltage, phase, amps, kW, kVA, hp, FLA, MCA, MOCP, power factor, duty cycle, and location.
• Load type: continuous, intermittent, seasonal, standby, non-linear, motor-starting, heating, future, or spare capacity.
• Existing service, transformer, panels, switchgear, meter data, utility bills, demand history, drawings, and site photos.
• Submission package: load list, single-line, floor plan, site plan, equipment cut sheets, schedule, and stakeholder notes.

Project path matrix

Working checklist

• Confirm the project branch: A tenant, contractor, or owner is adding HVAC, kitchen, shop, medical, lighting, motor, EVSE, or process equipment.
• Measure or photograph the first hard inputs: Equipment nameplate data: voltage, phase, amps, kW, kVA, hp, FLA, MCA, MOCP, power factor, duty cycle, and location. Load type: continuous, intermittent, seasonal, standby, non-linear, motor-starting, heating, future, or spare capacity.
• Record the decision basis: Connected load and demand load are different planning questions. Verify actual service labels such as 120/208 V, 347/600 V, or 600 V from the building and utility context.
• Keep the handoff package together: Equipment intake worksheet, cut sheets, floor plan, site plan, and schedule.
• Stop before work proceeds if this applies: The project includes large motors, non-linear loads, EVSE, medical/process equipment, generator transfer, or service changes.

Workflow

1. Build the load list from nameplates and cut sheets, not informal equipment names.
2. Classify duty and operating pattern before estimating demand or service impact.
3. Compare connected-load assumptions with demand history when useful and available.
4. Prepare a utility, landlord, engineer, or authority package before schedule commitments are made.
5. Flag power quality, motor starting, phase balance, power factor, harmonics, and fault-current risks early.

Decision checkpoints

• Connected load and demand load are different planning questions.
• Utility service, metering, transformer, and civil-work processes can control the schedule.
• Large motors, VFDs, welders, kitchen equipment, EVSE, and HVAC can create issues beyond total kVA.
• Tenant work may need base-building data before a useful review is possible.

Canada-specific checks

• Verify actual service labels such as 120/208 V, 347/600 V, or 600 V from the building and utility context.
• Authority and utility requirements vary by territory, rate class, service size, metering, and building type.
• This guide does not establish final demand load, feeder/service sizing, utility capacity, protection settings, or permission to connect.

Project package to keep

• Equipment intake worksheet, cut sheets, floor plan, site plan, and schedule.
• Existing drawings, panel schedules, utility bills, demand history, photos, and meter data where available.
• Load-list, kW/kVA/amps, service-capacity, and phase-balance calculator outputs.
• Utility, landlord, engineer, contractor, and authority correspondence.

Stop and get local review

• The project includes large motors, non-linear loads, EVSE, medical/process equipment, generator transfer, or service changes.
• Available service voltage, transformer capacity, metering, or fault-current data is unknown.
• The schedule assumes utility or inspection work without a formal request package.

Questions to settle before work starts

• Which local authority, utility, property authority, product listing, or manufacturer instruction controls this commercial and industrial loads decision?
• Which inputs are measured from the field or nameplate, and which are still assumptions from a quote, drawing, or memory?
• Which part of the work will be concealed, energized, interconnected, or purchased before review if the sequence is not controlled?
• Which single assumption would change the equipment choice, installation path, cost, schedule, or inspection timing?
• Who will keep the final photos, calculator outputs, product documents, permit or utility records, and commissioning notes?

Use the related tools

• Use the Load List kVA and Amps Calculator to build row-by-row inputs.
• Use the kW, kVA, and Amps Calculator when nameplates use mixed units.
• Use the Three-Phase Load Balance Calculator when phase assignment matters.

Public reference starting points

• Toronto Hydro new service request - Utility service-request structure example.
• BC Hydro forms and guides - Utility forms and guide entry point.

Local standards and authority note

Confirm load treatment, service capacity, drawings, permits, and utility requirements with qualified professionals and current local sources.