14-Meter Service Upgrade Across Two Buildings — Overhead & Underground, Los Angeles, CA
Two apartment buildings, two different service types, one coordinated project — new Siemens equipment, full grounding, and all-new sub-panels on both properties, from LADWP meter spot to LADBS final.
Owner Brief
The Ask
The owner needed the main electrical services replaced on both buildings — aging equipment on each property, serving a combined 14 meters across 12 occupied apartment units. The job had to be permitted, inspected, and closed out cleanly, with both buildings brought up to current standards without unnecessary disruption to tenants.
Project at a Glance
Existing Conditions
Both buildings were running on aging main services that had reached the point where replacement made more sense than continued repair. Building A’s service ran overhead to the property; Building B’s ran underground. Different routing, different code requirements, same underlying problem — outdated equipment that needed to come out and be replaced with something current, correctly grounded, and properly documented.
Two Buildings, Two Service Types
Overhead Service
- New Siemens overhead meter service
- 7 meters: 6 apartment + 1 house
- Overhead clearances and mounting confirmed with LADWP Service Planning
- 2 ground rods, bonded to main cold-water pipe
- 6 apartment sub-panels + 1 house panel replaced
Underground Service
- New Siemens underground-fed meter service
- 7 meters: 6 apartment + 1 house
- Underground routing and meter spot coordinated separately with LADWP
- 2 ground rods, bonded to main cold-water pipe
- 6 apartment sub-panels + 1 house panel replaced
Key Design Decisions
Siemens Main Service, Both Buildings
Standardized both properties on new Siemens equipment for reliability, clear meter demarcation, and consistent parts availability going forward.
Grounding & Bonding
Two ground rods per building, bonded to the main cold-water pipe with listed clamps and continuous conductors — done independently on each service.
All 14 Sub-Panels Replaced
12 apartment sub-panels and 2 house panels swapped for new gear, with neutrals and grounds properly isolated and directories updated.
Coordinated, Not Combined
Because one building was overhead and the other underground, each service was planned, permitted, and routed on its own terms — while keeping both projects on one schedule.
How the Project Ran
Discovery & Scope Lock
Walked both properties, documented existing conditions, and confirmed scope for each building separately — overhead service on one, underground on the other.
Utility Planning
Coordinated with LADWP Service Planning to obtain the meter spot for each building, confirming overhead clearances for Building A and underground routing for Building B.
Permitting
Pulled LADBS electrical permits for both services and scheduled inspection to line up with the planned cut-over.
Cut-Over
De-energized each building, removed the legacy service, installed the new Siemens equipment, completed grounding, and swapped all 14 sub-panels.
Inspection & Meter Set
LADBS inspected and finaled the work on both buildings. LADWP field crew installed and energized all 14 meters.
Close-Out
Delivered updated panel directories, job photos, and permit/inspection records for the owner’s files.
What Made This Project Unique
- Two service types, one project: Overhead work and underground work follow different rules for clearance, routing, and utility coordination — this job required running both correctly, on the same timeline.
- Scale: 14 total meters and 14 sub-panels across two buildings meant careful sequencing to keep 12 occupied units without power for as short a window as possible.
- Consistent standard, two properties: Both buildings ended up on matching Siemens equipment and the same grounding standard, even though the path to get there was different for each.
Results
Passed Inspection
LADBS inspected and finaled both services; LADWP field crew set all 14 meters.
Reliability & Safety
New Siemens equipment on both buildings, correct grounding and bonding, standardized breakers throughout.
Tenant Experience
Planned outage windows on each building, power restored methodically as panels came back online.
Future-Ready
Two matching, modern services with clean documentation for both properties going forward.
Need a Multi-Building Service Upgrade?
Overhead, underground, or both — we handle LADWP coordination, LADBS permits and inspection, and the documentation your ownership group or insurer expects.
Call (323) 467-6661
