31-Gang Service Conversion & Upgrade — 30-Unit Building, Los Angeles, CA
From aging underground Federal Pacific gear to a new Siemens 31-position overhead meter center with full grounding, all new sub-panels, and surge protection devices installed per code.
30 apartments + 1 house meter (31 meters)
Underground service with Federal Pacific (FPE) main & sub-panels
Siemens 31-position overhead meter center + 30 apt sub-panels + 1 house panel
Two ground rods + bond to main cold-water pipe
SPD at each sub-panel (per code)
LADWP (meter spot & meter set) • LADBS (permit & final)
Passed LADBS inspection; LADWP installed & energized new meters
The Problem
The building relied on an underground Federal Pacific (FPE) main service with FPE sub-panels in every unit. The equipment was outdated and raised insurer concerns about safety and reliability. The owner needed a turn-key, code-compliant replacement—including modern surge protection—to preserve insurance coverage and improve system reliability across all 31 meters.
Our Plan
Utility Coordination
Worked with LADWP Service Planning to obtain the official meter spot and confirm clearances for the new overhead meter center location.
Conversion Strategy
Transitioned from the existing underground service gear to a Siemens 31-position overhead meter center, optimizing working space and future serviceability.
Grounding & Bonding
Installed dual ground rods and a cold-water bond with listed clamps and a continuous grounding electrode conductor.
Surge Protection
Specified and installed surge protection devices (SPDs) at every new sub-panel in accordance with code to protect in-unit and common-area circuits.
Tenant Impact Plan
Sequenced a single planned outage window; swapped unit sub-panels in stages to restore power methodically after energization.
Build Execution
1) Permitting
Pulled LADBS electrical permit and aligned inspection timing with the cut-over day.
2) De-Energize & Demo
Safely de-energized the legacy underground FPE main service and prepared the new overhead location.
3) New Service Install
Installed a Siemens 31-position overhead meter center, set plumb and weather-tight; conductors terminated to manufacturer torque specs (torque-marked).
4) Grounding & Bonding
Drove two 8-ft ground rods and completed the main cold-water bond with bonding jumpers where applicable.
5) Sub-Panel Replacements + SPDs
Replaced 30 apartment sub-panels and the house panel with new Siemens load centers; neutrals/grounds isolated; directories updated; installed a surge protection device at each sub-panel per code.
6) Inspection & Meter Set
LADBS inspection passed and project finaled. LADWP field crew installed and energized all 31 meters.
Before vs. After
| Before (Legacy System) | After (Branover Upgrade) |
|---|---|
| Underground FPE main service with outdated enclosures and hardware | New Siemens 31-position overhead meter center with clear labeling and serviceability |
| FPE sub-panels in apartments; inconsistent directories | 30 Siemens apartment sub-panels + 1 house panel; updated directories, standardized breakers, and SPDs at each sub-panel |
| Grounding/bonding not aligned with current best practices | Two ground rods + main cold-water bond with listed clamps and continuous conductors |
| Insurance compliance risk | LADBS-finaled project with photo and permit documentation for the carrier |
Results & Owner Impact
- Insurance Compliance Achieved — Documentation shows all Federal Pacific main and sub-panels were removed and replaced.
- Reliability & Safety — Modern Siemens equipment, corrected grounding/bonding, unit-level surge protection, and clean terminations throughout.
- Tenant-First Execution — Single planned outage window; staged restorations unit-by-unit after meter set.
- Future-Ready — Clear labeling and spare capacity support future common-area or in-unit upgrades.
“Thank you for getting this project through to completion. Branover was very easy to work with. We appreciate your professionalism and clear and prompt communication with us at all times.
We will consider Branover for any future electrical projects!”
— Marvin C, Los Angeles
Need a Meter Panel Upgrade or Replacement?
We handle LADWP planning, LADBS permits/inspections, and deliver the documentation (and protection measures) your insurer expects.
