Distribution boards and mains
Distribution Boards and Mains Works
Capacity for new equipment and extensions, and boards that are safe and clearly labelled. Distribution board upgrades, sub-mains and supply changes for commercial and industrial buildings in Leicester and the East Midlands.
- 5.0 from 17 Google reviews
- NICEIC Approved Contractor
- Fully insured
Boards and mains
Capacity for what your building needs to run
Old, full or undersized boards hold a building back when new equipment, an extension or a new tenant comes along. We replace and upgrade distribution boards, run new sub-mains and plan supply changes for commercial and industrial buildings across Leicester and the East Midlands, with shutdowns agreed in advance.
Boards
Distribution board replacements and upgrades
Old boards can be unsafe, hard to get parts for, or simply full. We replace single phase and three phase distribution boards with modern, properly protected boards, with clear labelling and circuit charts.
- Like-for-like replacements and upgrades to current regulations
- Extra ways and capacity for new circuits
- RCD and surge protection where needed
- Clear circuit charts and labelling
- Neat steel trunking and surrounds where boards and cables are surface-mounted
Sub-mains
Sub-mains and new distribution
When you add a new area, building or piece of plant, it often needs its own supply. We design and install sub-mains and local distribution boards, sized correctly for the load and installed neatly in suitable containment.
Capacity
Extra capacity for new equipment
New machinery, kitchens, heating or air-con can push an installation past what it was built for. We'll check the existing load and capacity and confirm whether your boards and supply can take it, and what's needed if they can't.
Supply
Supply changes and upgrades
Where a building needs a bigger supply or a change from single phase to three phase, we make the application to the network operator on your behalf, liaise with them throughout, and prepare your side of the installation for the changeover.
Shutdowns
Planned shutdowns
Board and mains work usually means turning the power off. We plan shutdowns with you in advance, keep them as short as we can, and can arrange the work outside normal hours, so your business or tenants are affected as little as possible.
MCCB panels
MCCB panel upgrades
Larger buildings and industrial sites are often fed from MCCB panelboards. We replace and upgrade MCCB panels and their outgoing ways, so sub-mains and plant are properly protected and there is capacity for what comes next.
Mains intake
Mains intake upgrades
Older main switchgear, isolators and metering positions can limit what a building can take. We upgrade the intake position on your side of the meter, and where a bigger supply is needed, we make the application to National Grid on your behalf and plan the changeover with them.
The process
How we work
- 01
Survey
We inspect the existing boards, supply and load, and talk through your plans.
- 02
Quote
A written quote explaining what's needed and why.
- 03
Planned shutdown
Dates, times and access are agreed in advance. Our normal hours are Monday to Friday, 6am to 5pm, and work outside those hours is by arrangement.
- 04
Tested and certified
Full testing, an Electrical Installation Certificate and up-to-date circuit charts when we finish.
J.C. Smith Electrical Ltd is an NICEIC Approved Contractor (registration no. 618265000) with £5 million public liability insurance.
Gallery
Examples of our board and mains work
FAQs
Common questions
How long will the power be off?
It depends on the size of the job. We'll give you a realistic estimate beforehand and plan the work to keep the shutdown as short as possible.
Does our old board need replacing?
Not always. We'll inspect it and advise whether it needs replacing, can be upgraded, or is fine as it is.
Do I need a bigger supply for new equipment?
We'll check your existing capacity and load first. Sometimes rebalancing or a board upgrade is enough. If a bigger supply is needed, we'll explain the next steps and handle the application for you.
Can you deal with National Grid for a supply upgrade?
Yes. National Grid Electricity Distribution (formerly Western Power Distribution) runs the local network. We make the application and liaise with them on your behalf.
Need board or mains work?
Send us the details of the building and what you need it to take, and we'll arrange a survey.