Separate Panel Space from Available Service Capacity

Name each component

Ask proposals to separate panelboard, main disconnect, meter base, customer conductors and utility-owned supply.

Use visible records only

Collect existing schedules, permits and label photos already accessible; never open compartments or infer safety.

Distinguish spaces and capacity

A spare breaker position is not calculated capacity, and a crowded panel is not proof that the utility service must change.

Trace the service route

Record known meter, overhead or underground path, customer equipment, building entry and access constraints.

Identify utility dependencies

Ask which steps require BC Hydro application, design, customer construction, inspection, outage and meter or service work.

Require future-load context

The assessment output should show loads considered, assumptions, options, approval dependencies and remaining capacity questions.

Create a service evidence ladder

Arrange utility records, permits, schedules, safely visible labels and qualified findings from strongest to weakest evidence. Use that ladder to resolve rating conflicts before proposals select a panel-only or full service path.

• Never open electrical compartments
• Date every source
• Keep uncertainty visible

Map each capacity boundary

Draw utility supply, meter, main equipment, distribution panels and planned loads with owner, strata, customer-contractor and BC Hydro interfaces. A spare breaker space answers neither calculated demand nor utility supply availability.

• Label customer-owned equipment
• Trace known service route
• Mark restricted areas

Compare future-ready outcomes

Ask each option to state which EV, heating, suite and appliance projects it supports under the accepted load basis, what equipment remains reusable and which change triggers another assessment or utility request.

• Use the project sequence board
• Record expansion limitations
• Preserve final calculation

Publish the panel-to-utility boundary sheet

Draw utility supply, meter, main equipment, distribution panels and planned loads from safe records and qualified findings. Label customer, contractor, strata, City or building and BC Hydro interfaces, then attach the current load calculation. For each option, state the constraint addressed, equipment and conductors affected, future projects supported, approvals, outage and restoration. Preserve evidence conflicts and trigger reassessment after project changes. The sheet supports a scope choice without treating spare spaces, breaker ratings, a 200 amp target or historical consumption as proof of available service capacity. Before procurement, reconcile the chosen path with the exact EV, heating or suite equipment then selected. Record whether the calculation, utility request, panel schedule or future-project assumptions require revision.

• Reference current calculation
• Mark ownership boundaries
• List future loads
• Record utility dependencies
• Keep rating conflicts open