400-Amp Overhead Service Upgrade & Sub-Panel Replacement – 10-Unit Apartment Building • Los Angeles, CA

400-Amp Overhead Service Upgrade & Sub-Panel Replacement – 10-Unit Apartment Building • Los Angeles, CA

Project Snapshot

Property Type: 10-unit, two-story apartment building + house meter
Existing Condition: Federal Pacific 200 A main & 11 recalled FPE sub-panels
Driver: Insurance renewal required removal of all FPE equipment
Scope: Replace main service, meters, and 11 sub-panels • Handle all LADWP / LADBS approvals
New Equipment: 11-gang 400 A Siemens overhead service • (11) 12/24-circuit Siemens sub-panels
Authority Coordination: LADWP Service Planning & Field Crew • LADBS Inspection

1. Background & Challenge

The building’s insurer threatened non-renewal unless every Federal Pacific component—the main switch and eleven FPE sub-panels—was eliminated. In addition to the fire risk, the undersized 200 A service left zero capacity for future EV chargers or HVAC retrofits.

• Keep tenant outages to a minimum.
• Secure LADWP meter-spot and disconnect scheduling without delays.
• Install a 400 A, 11-gang stack into tight exterior wall space.

2. Solution Overview

Branover Contractors engineered and installed a 400 A, 11-gang Siemens overhead service—one meter per apartment plus a dedicated house meter—along with eleven 12/24-circuit Siemens sub-panels inside the units.

Key design steps:

1. Load Calculation & Single-Line Diagram
   • Demand calc confirmed 400 A requirement.
   • Single-line submitted to LADWP Service Planning.
2. Utility Coordination
   • Meter-spot approval secured.
   • Coordination with LADWP Field Crew.
3. Permit & Inspection
   • Electrical permit pulled with LADBS.
   • Passed rough and final.
4. Installation Highlights
   • 3″ galvanized riser, new weatherhead, 500 MCM copper conductors.
   • Grounding.
   • Sub-panels labeled and circuits re-terminated.

Phase Key Activities

1. Site Assessment & Engineering — Load calc • Single-line • Material take-off
2. Utility & Permit Approvals — Submit to LADWP • Pull LADBS permit
3. Pre-Construction Coordination — Book shutdown • Notify tenants
4. Demolition & Temporary Power — Remove FPE gear
5. Main Service Installation — Set 400 A 11-gang Siemens stack • Ground
6. Sub-Panel Replacements — Swap 11 units • Label circuits
7. Inspection & Re-Energization — Pass LADBS • LADWP sets meters

4. Results & Benefits

• Safety & Compliance — All recalled gear removed.
• Future Capacity — 400 A service ready for EVSE, solar, or heat-pumps.
• Insurance Savings — Renewal approved, premium surcharge avoided.
• Tenant Experience — Outages pre-scheduled and communicated; zero complaints.

5. Owner Testimonial

“Branover Contractors, Inc. changed all circuit breakers and the main electrical system on my two apartment houses located in
Los Angeles. They were very accommodating working with the tenants in the buildings. Their workers were excellent, friendly
and cleaned up each day. I highly recommend them for your electrical needs.”

— Larry, Property Owner

6. Key Takeaways

1. One-Stop Service — We streamline utility and city approvals.
2. First-Time Inspection Passes — Thorough pre-inspection checklists.
3. Minimal Downtime — Phased swaps keep tenants powered and happy.
4. Future-Ready Designs — Sized for tomorrow’s loads, not yesterday’s