Commercial Electrical
Power Distribution
in Vancouver, WA
Every circuit in your building starts at the distribution system. If the power coming in isn't routed correctly, balanced properly, and protected at every branch, you'll deal with tripped breakers, voltage drop, and equipment that doesn't run the way it should. Newman Electric designs and installs power distribution systems for commercial buildings across Vancouver, WA. Ryan and the crew size switchgear, run feeders, set panelboards, and make sure everything is balanced from the service entrance to the last outlet on the floor.
What We Handle
Your Building's Entire Electrical Backbone
Power distribution is the system between your utility meter and the outlets, lights, and equipment in your building. Newman Electric builds it, upgrades it, and fixes it when something's wrong.
Switchgear & Main Distribution
Switchgear is where your utility power enters the building and gets split into the main feeders. Newman Electric installs and upgrades switchgear for buildings pulling 400 amps and up. We handle the coordination with Clark PUD or PacifiCorp, mount the gear, terminate the feeders, and make sure your overcurrent protection is sized correctly. If your building has old fused switchgear that's hard to get parts for, we can replace it with modern breaker-based equipment.
Branch Panelboards & Subpanels
Branch panels are where individual circuits get their breakers. Each floor, each tenant space, each mechanical room gets its own panel. Newman Electric sizes panels based on your actual load calculations, not guesswork. We install lighting panels, power panels, and dedicated panels for HVAC and kitchen equipment. When you add a tenant or expand a space, we add a subpanel fed from the main distribution without overloading what's already there.
Feeders, Conduit & Busway
The wires and conduit between your switchgear and your panels are the feeders. Undersized feeders cause voltage drop, which means your lights dim and your motors run hot. Newman Electric runs feeders in EMT, rigid conduit, or cable tray depending on your building type. For multi-story buildings or long horizontal runs, we also install busway (bus duct), which makes future tap-offs easier when you add tenants or equipment down the road.
Our Process
How a Distribution Project Works
From the initial load calculation to the final energization, Newman Electric manages every phase of your power distribution project.
Load Analysis
We review your equipment list, calculate the connected load, and figure out what your building actually needs. Not what someone guessed five years ago. What it needs now.
Distribution Design
Ryan lays out the single-line diagram: where the switchgear goes, how many panels you need, what size feeders connect them. We coordinate this with your architect and GC.
Installation
We mount the gear, pull the feeders, terminate everything, and label every circuit. Newman Electric keeps a clean electrical room. You won't find wire scraps or unlabeled panels when we're done.
Testing & Energization
Before anything goes live, we test insulation resistance on the feeders, torque every connection, and verify phase rotation. Then we coordinate with the utility for final meter set and energize the system.
Code & Permits
Washington Code Requirements for Commercial Distribution
Every commercial power distribution project in Vancouver, WA needs a permit and inspection. Newman Electric handles the paperwork and scheduling so you don't have to sit on hold with the permit office.
NEC 408.36: Panelboard Overcurrent Protection
Every panelboard must have overcurrent protection on the supply side rated no higher than the panel's bus rating. Newman Electric sizes main breakers and feeders so your panels are protected correctly from day one.
NEC 220: Load Calculations
Commercial buildings must have load calculations performed per Article 220 before sizing service entrance equipment, feeders, and branch circuits. We do these calculations for every project, not just the ones the inspector asks about.
NEC 110.26: Working Space Clearances
Electrical panels and switchgear require minimum clearance in front, to the sides, and above. We plan the electrical room layout so every piece of gear has the required 36" minimum clearance and 6'-3" headroom. This matters during inspections and for future maintenance.
WAC 296-46B: Washington Electrical Permits
Washington requires permits for all commercial electrical work. In the City of Vancouver, permits go through the city building department (360-487-7890). In unincorporated Clark County, they go through Washington L&I (360-896-2300). Newman Electric pulls permits and schedules inspections for every distribution project.
Power Distribution at a Glance
400-4000A
Typical commercial switchgear range we install
36"
Minimum working clearance required in front of panels (NEC 110.26)
3%
Maximum voltage drop allowed on feeders per NEC recommendation
90+
Five-star Google reviews from commercial and residential clients
Customer Reviews
What Our Clients Say
About Newman Electric
"Newman Electric is top notch. We use them for our personal projects and have used them for 10+ remodeling projects for our business and they have always showed up on time and been honest with pricing. Ryan and his crew are professional and friendly!"
Arne K.
Commercial Projects
"Garrett worked on our building recently and did an outstanding job. He was very professional and friendly. Thanks for all the fabulous work, Garrett! I will definitely recommend you to others for electrical work."
Matt C.
Commercial Building
"Ryan and the team were very helpful. They were punctual and got after the work quickly. I purchased an older home that needed to be updated and rewired. Ryan and Garrett worked out a schedule and were able to get all the work done in a few days time."
Stafford S.
Panel & Rewiring
Common Questions
Power Distribution FAQ
The most common signs are breakers that trip under normal load, lights that dim when equipment starts, or panels that are completely full with no room for new circuits. If you're adding tenants, installing new HVAC equipment, or your building was originally wired 20+ years ago, it's worth having Newman Electric take a look. Ryan can tell you within one visit whether your current distribution system can handle what you need or whether it's time to upgrade.
A panel upgrade swaps out one breaker panel for a larger one. A power distribution upgrade is the whole system: switchgear, feeders, panelboards, and sometimes a new service from the utility. If you're only running out of space in one panel, a panel upgrade or adding a subpanel might be enough. If the main service coming into the building isn't large enough for your total load, you need a distribution upgrade. Newman Electric will tell you which one you actually need.
Yes. Any work involving panelboards, switchgear, feeders, or service entrance equipment requires a permit in Washington State. If your building is inside the City of Vancouver, permits go through the city building department. In unincorporated Clark County, they go through L&I. Newman Electric handles the entire permit process for you. We pull the permit, schedule the rough-in and final inspections, and meet the inspector on site.
It depends on the scope. Adding a subpanel and running a few branch circuits might take a day. A full distribution upgrade with new switchgear, multiple panels, and utility coordination can take one to three weeks. The longest part is usually waiting for the utility to schedule the meter set. Newman Electric gives you a timeline during the bid so you can plan around it. We don't start a project and disappear for two weeks.
Absolutely. We work with GCs on new construction and major renovation projects all the time. Ryan coordinates with your GC on scheduling, rough-in timelines, and inspection sequences. We show up when we say we will, and we don't hold up other trades. If you're a GC looking for a reliable electrical sub in Vancouver, WA, give us a call.
Voltage drop is the loss of voltage that happens as electricity travels through a wire. The longer the wire run and the smaller the conductor, the more voltage you lose. The NEC recommends keeping voltage drop under 3% on feeders and 5% total from the service to the final outlet. If your lights flicker when the AC kicks on, or your equipment runs slower than it should, voltage drop on undersized feeders is a common cause. Newman Electric sizes every feeder to keep voltage drop within NEC recommendations.
More Services
Related Commercial Services
Service Areas
Power Distribution Across
Vancouver, WA & Beyond
Newman Electric installs and upgrades power distribution systems for commercial buildings across Clark County and Cowlitz County. Warehouse distribution in Battle Ground, office panel upgrades in Camas, restaurant electrical in Salmon Creek. Wherever your building is, we coordinate with the local utility and get your system built right.
Need Power Distribution Work
for Your Building?
Newman Electric designs and installs commercial power distribution systems across Vancouver, WA. Call Ryan for a free estimate on your project.