Heavy Commercial Power
Three Phase Power
in Vancouver, WA
Your equipment needs more power than a single-phase panel can deliver. That's where three phase power comes in. Newman Electric installs, upgrades, and services three phase electrical systems for commercial and industrial buildings across Vancouver, WA and Clark County. Whether you need a new 208V service for a restaurant kitchen or 480V for warehouse machinery, Ryan and the crew handle the utility coordination, panel work, and final connections.
Do You Need It?
When Your Business Needs
Three Phase Power
Single-phase power works for most residential and small office loads. But when your equipment draws more current than a single-phase service can deliver safely, you need three phase. It's not a luxury upgrade. It's a requirement for the kind of equipment your business runs.
Commercial Kitchens
Commercial ovens, fryers, walk-in compressors, and ventilation hoods run on 208V three phase in most restaurant setups. If you're opening a restaurant or expanding your kitchen, three phase power is almost always part of the conversation. Newman Electric sizes the service based on your actual equipment list.
Machine Shops & Manufacturing
CNC machines, lathes, industrial compressors, and welding equipment need three phase to run. Most of this equipment requires 480V service with appropriately sized disconnects and motor circuits. We install the service entrance, panels, and individual machine circuits.
Large HVAC Systems
Commercial rooftop units and split systems over 5 tons run on three phase power. If your building's HVAC contractor is specifying three-phase equipment, you need the electrical service to support it. We coordinate with your HVAC team to make sure the circuits are ready when they need them.
Warehouses & Distribution
Conveyor systems, dock levelers, battery chargers for forklifts, and high-bay lighting ballasts. Warehouse operations depend on reliable three phase power. When the building doesn't have it, Newman Electric brings it in from the utility and builds out the distribution.
Technical Details
208V vs 480V Three Phase:
Which One Do You Need?
The voltage your building needs depends entirely on your equipment. Newman Electric helps you figure out which service is right and handles the installation either way.
The standard for most commercial buildings in the Vancouver, WA area. Your utility delivers 208V/120V through a three-phase transformer, giving you both three-phase power for large loads and 120V single-phase for outlets and lighting off the same panel.
Common applications:
- Commercial kitchen equipment
- HVAC rooftop units (under 15 tons)
- Small compressors and motors
- Office building main service
Used for heavy industrial loads where the equipment demands more voltage. A 480V service carries the same power with less current, which means smaller wire sizes and lower energy losses over long runs. Buildings that need both voltages use a step-down transformer to get 208V/120V for standard loads.
Common applications:
- CNC machines and industrial lathes
- Large HVAC systems (15+ tons)
- Warehouse conveyor systems
- Welding equipment and heavy motors
The Process
How We Add Three Phase Power
to Your Building
Assessment and load calculation
We review your equipment specs, calculate the total load, and determine whether you need 208V or 480V service. If three phase is already available at the building, we figure out what modifications are needed. If it's not, we start the utility application.
Utility coordination and permits
Getting three phase power to a building that doesn't have it requires working with the utility company. In Clark County, that's Clark PUD. We handle the application, coordinate the transformer installation, and pull the electrical permit through the City of Vancouver or L&I.
Panel, disconnects, and circuits
Once the utility delivers three phase to the building, Newman Electric installs the main panel, disconnects, motor starters, and individual circuits for your equipment. We test everything under load before we hand it off.
Code & Safety
Three Phase Power Code
Requirements in Washington
Three phase installations in Washington fall under the 2023 NEC (per WAC 296-46B-010), effective April 1, 2024. This applies to all commercial electrical work in the state, including new three phase services, panel installations, and motor circuits.
Newman Electric pulls every permit and schedules every inspection. For three phase work in the City of Vancouver, permits go through the city at 360-487-7890. In unincorporated Clark County, they go through Washington L&I at 360-896-2300.
Motor circuit sizing, disconnect requirements, and overload protection for three-phase motors
Transformer installation, overcurrent protection, and grounding requirements
Overcurrent protection sizing for three-phase feeders and branch circuits
Panel directory and labeling requirements for all circuit breakers
Three Phase Power Quick Facts
208V/480V
Voltage options available
Clark PUD
Local utility we coordinate with
$0
Estimate cost
100%
Permitted and inspected
Customer Reviews
What Our Commercial
Clients Say
"These guys are top notch. I gave them a call when every other electrical contractor told me they were weeks out, Ryan and the guys came out and upgraded my panel the next day. I highly recommend Newman Electric they are setting the new standard for electrical companies in our area!"
Adrienne S.
Panel & Service Upgrade
"Very professional, responsive and right on schedule. Very clean job and quite reasonably priced, especially considering this was not a very big job. Ran 50 amp service from house panel to sub panel in shop."
Maritsa B.
Subpanel Installation
"Newman Electric was great to work with! They were on time for both the bid process and the actual work. The work was done well and on my timeline. I appreciated the reasonable pricing and communication. I would absolutely use them again!"
Dean S.
Commercial Electrical
Common Questions
Three Phase Power FAQ
Check your main electrical panel. If you see three large incoming wires (not counting the neutral and ground), you have three phase. The breakers will also be labeled differently. If you're not sure, call Newman Electric and we'll come take a look at no charge. We can tell you what service you have, what capacity it's rated for, and whether it can handle your equipment.
Yes, but it requires the utility company to install a three-phase transformer at your building. We handle the application, the utility coordination, and all the electrical work on your side of the meter. In the Vancouver, WA area, we coordinate with Clark PUD for transformer installations. The timeline depends on the utility's schedule, but Newman Electric stays on top of it.
208V three phase is the standard for most commercial buildings. It gives you both three-phase power for equipment and 120V for outlets and lighting. 480V is for heavier industrial loads. It carries more power with less current, which is more efficient for large motors and long wire runs. Some buildings have both, using a step-down transformer to get 208V/120V from a 480V service. We'll tell you which one your equipment needs.
If your building already has three phase and you just need additional circuits or a panel upgrade, we can get that done within a week or two. If the utility needs to install a new transformer, that adds time on their end, sometimes 4 to 8 weeks depending on their workload. The electrical work on your side of the meter takes a few days once we start. Ryan keeps you updated on the timeline.
Yes. Any new electrical service, panel installation, or significant circuit addition requires a permit in Washington State. For three phase work in the City of Vancouver, permits go through the city. In unincorporated Clark County, they go through L&I. Newman Electric handles all of it. You don't need to visit any permit offices or schedule inspections yourself.
Yes. We come out, look at your current service, review your equipment specs, and give you a written quote. No charge for the estimate. If utility work is needed, we include the coordination in our scope so you know the full picture. Newman Electric doesn't charge you for figuring out what the job involves.
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Learn MoreWhere We Work
Three Phase Power Installation
Across Southwest Washington
Newman Electric installs three phase power for commercial and industrial buildings across Vancouver, WA, Clark County, and Cowlitz County. Restaurant three-phase service in Camas, warehouse power in Battle Ground, machine shop circuits in Longview. Wherever your building is, we coordinate with the local utility and get your equipment running.
Get Started
Need Three Phase Power
for Your Business?
Call Newman Electric or send us your equipment specs. We're the commercial electrician Vancouver, WA businesses rely on for three phase installations, service upgrades, and industrial power work. The estimate is free and Ryan will get back to you fast.