The furnace supplier has confirmed the machine dimensions, but the electrical team is still waiting for its load details. Meanwhile, the factory drawing already shows the furnace bay, cable trenches and transformer room.
A late change to the required supply could mean moving a panel or cutting into finished flooring. Electrical planning is easier while those locations can still be adjusted.
The load schedule needs to show what your factory will actually use during a busy shift, including equipment that runs only at certain times.
> Main machinery: Record motor and furnace ratings, starting requirements and expected operating hours.
> Supporting equipment: Add compressors, cooling pumps, ventilation and lighting.
> Overlapping loads: Mark the machines likely to run together, especially during peak production.
The electrical designer can then estimate demand rather than simply adding up every nameplate rating.
The utility’s available connection and approved demand affect the incoming voltage, metering and possible need for an on-site substation.
A larger factory may require a high-voltage connection, depending on the local network and utility rules.
An early discussion also establishes where the supply will enter the site. The connection point affects the electrical room location and the cables leading into it.
Transformer placement affects much more than the distance to the nearest wall. Engineers need space for safe working clearances, cooling, cable entry and maintenance, while the building layout must leave a route for installing or replacing the unit.
A room tucked behind finished production bays may look convenient on paper and become awkward when a heavy transformer needs to be moved.
The single-line diagram shows the electrical connections from the incoming supply to switchgear, transformers, distribution boards and machinery. The site drawing needs to translate those connections into panel locations, cable trays and trenches.
A furnace bay and packaging area may need different feeders even within one building. Reserving their cable routes before the floors are finished gives the civil team clear instructions.
A furnace’s electrical requirements can influence the whole supply design.
Arc furnaces, induction melting equipment and large converter loads may need particular voltage levels, high currents or arrangements suited to changing electrical demand.
Your machine supplier’s data can show whether the process needs a dedicated transformer or another distribution arrangement. Settling this after the transformer is ordered can mean revisiting equipment specifications.
The electrical plans also need to provide for the connections and working space required to install, test and maintain equipment safely.
> Earthing: Plan bonding and protective earth connections for machines, transformers and panels.
> Protection: Size and coordinate breakers and other devices using load and fault-current calculations.
> Access: Keep suitable electrical clearances and space for testing and isolation.
Qualified personnel can then check the installation against applicable requirements before energisation.
A future furnace or additional shift can alter the electrical demand even if the first year of production looks modest.
Spare panel ways, planned cable routes and, where justified, space for another transformer may save cutting through completed work later.
The spare capacity itself should follow a realistic production plan, because installing more electrical capacity than the site requires also adds cost.
Once the floors are poured, a cable trench becomes a construction problem as well as an electrical one. The same applies to transformer locations, panel positions and equipment access when these decisions are left until installation begins.
Getting the machinery specifications, utility requirements and building drawings agreed early gives everyone involved a clearer idea of the work ahead.
Our manufacturing work at Makpower covers power and distribution transformers and industrial electrical panel boards. If your new facility is still at the drawing stage, share the proposed loads and incoming voltage with us while the transformer requirements can be discussed alongside the layout.
Specialized in Induction Furnace Transformers, Step-Voltage Regulators, and 25 MVA 132kV Substation Class Power Units.
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