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As Los Angeles accelerates toward electrification, the pressure is mounting for property managers to modernize their electrical systems. Tenants aren’t just asking for EV chargers—they’re beginning to expect them. Businesses want to attract eco-conscious customers and employees, and apartment renters are increasingly driving electric vehicles. But if your building can’t support these demands, you risk falling behind the competition.
The biggest issue isn’t just saying “no” to a charger request—it’s what that “no” represents. Tenants might see it as a lack of investment in the property, an unwillingness to keep up with the times, or a sign of deeper infrastructure problems. Word spreads quickly through online reviews and tenant referrals. In a competitive LA rental and commercial market, missing the mark on EV infrastructure can mean lower occupancy and missed revenue.
From a technical perspective, buildings without modernized panels and sufficient capacity may suffer from overloads, voltage drops, and even breaker failures when EV charging is attempted. These events not only frustrate tenants—they can result in emergency electrical repairs that eat into your budget and disrupt operations.
The challenge is clear: Los Angeles is shifting fast, and the cost of inaction is growing. Getting ahead of the demand means preserving your building’s value, maintaining tenant satisfaction, and protecting yourself from preventable electrical hazards.
Evaluating Your Current Electrical Infrastructure for EV Readiness
Before you can install EV chargers at your property, you need to assess your current electrical system’s capacity. Most commercial and multi-unit residential buildings weren’t designed with EV charging in mind. Many still rely on outdated panels, insufficient sub-panels, and overloaded circuits—especially if the property was built before the 1990s.
A proper evaluation begins with a comprehensive load calculation, which estimates your building’s current usage versus its maximum safe electrical capacity. RG Electric performs these calculations as part of our electrical panel services and uses them to determine whether you’ll need an upgrade to support new loads.
Key points we inspect include:
- Main panel size and condition – Does it meet modern amperage requirements?
- Breaker capacity and layout – Are there available slots for EV circuits?
- Sub-panel accessibility – Can chargers be powered from localized panels?
- Wiring condition and conduit space – Is the existing infrastructure code-compliant and safe?
Older panels, especially brands like Zinsco, Federal Pacific, or Pushmatic, often fail to meet safety standards and cannot accommodate the new circuits required for EV stations. In these cases, we recommend a full panel replacement, not just for EV readiness, but for long-term code compliance and liability prevention.
Additionally, local permitting authorities, including LADBS, require licensed electricians to file plans and obtain approvals for EV-related upgrades. This process includes everything from site mapping and electrical drawings to code checks and final inspection.
By evaluating your system proactively, you not only avoid expensive surprises—you also position your property to move swiftly when tenants or business opportunities demand EV capabilities.
Ready to assess your property? Contact us today for a free consultation.
Why Surge Protection is a Smart Investment for LA Property Managers
Power surges are more than just momentary flickers in the lights—they’re one of the most costly and preventable threats to electrical systems in commercial properties. In a city like Los Angeles, where utility fluctuations, construction activity, and aging infrastructure are daily realities, surge protection isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Whether you’re managing an office complex in downtown LA, a multi-unit apartment building in Echo Park, or a retail center in the Valley, every property is vulnerable to voltage spikes. These surges can damage or destroy critical building systems like elevators, HVAC controls, security equipment, and tenant appliances. Worse yet, if not addressed, they can create fire hazards, tenant complaints, and unexpected maintenance costs.
Many property managers only think about surge protection after damage has already occurred. But with the right systems in place—and a knowledgeable electrical partner—these risks can be mitigated before they impact your bottom line. That’s why RG Electric emphasizes surge protection as a foundational component of every commercial electrical service plan.
Let’s explore why surge protection is essential, what causes power surges in Los Angeles, and how proactive solutions can protect your tenants, your reputation, and your budget.
What Causes Power Surges in Los Angeles Commercial Properties?
To effectively manage a building, you need to understand the threats that can silently wear down its systems. Power surges are one of those hidden hazards that are often misunderstood. They’re not just caused by lightning (which is relatively rare in LA); they’re more often the result of daily infrastructure challenges.
Utility Grid Instability
Los Angeles has one of the most complex power grids in the country. Frequent maintenance, load balancing, and shifting power demands mean that voltage levels aren’t always consistent. A sudden switch at the utility level can send a wave of high voltage into your building, damaging sensitive equipment.
Aging Electrical Panels and Outdated Infrastructure
Many LA commercial properties still rely on outdated electrical panels—some from the 1960s or earlier. Panels like Zinsco or Federal Pacific are especially vulnerable because they lack the built-in protections of modern systems. These panels may fail to absorb surges properly, allowing excess voltage to travel unchecked through your circuits. Panel upgrades are often the first line of defense.
Internal Load Fluctuations
Within your own property, high-powered appliances or equipment switching on and off can cause mini-surges. Think industrial HVAC systems, elevators, or even commercial kitchen equipment. These may not be as dramatic as a lightning strike, but over time, they can degrade wiring insulation, cause premature failure in lighting systems, or disrupt electronic control panels.
Nearby Construction Activity
If your property is near new construction, you’re likely exposed to irregular voltage due to grid changes or heavy equipment use. Unexpected utility changes—like a temporary line reroute—can result in powerful surges hitting your system. For buildings already running on older wiring, this could be the tipping point for a system-wide outage.
Lightning and Extreme Weather Events
While rare, lightning and weather-related incidents aren’t impossible in Southern California. A single lightning-induced surge can destroy expensive building systems in a fraction of a second. Whole-building surge protectors provide essential defense.
Understanding these risks helps property managers appreciate the role surge protection plays—not only in preventing catastrophic damage but also in preserving the day-to-day functionality of their properties.
How to Choose the Right Surge Protection for Your Property
Not all surge protectors are created equal—and choosing the right type depends on your property’s size, layout, and equipment.
Three Levels of Surge Protection
- Type 1 (Service Entrance) – Installed between the utility pole and your building’s main electrical panel. This is your first line of defense against external surges, such as those from the power grid or lightning.
- Type 2 (Panel-Level Protection) – Installed directly on your main or sub-panels to block surges traveling through internal circuits. This is essential for larger commercial properties with multiple tenants or high-power systems.
- Type 3 (Point-of-Use Protection) – These are your familiar plug-in surge strips, used to protect individual devices like computers, TVs, and POS systems.
For most Los Angeles commercial and multi-unit properties, a layered approach—Type 1 and Type 2 together—is recommended. This creates redundancy and ensures that both external and internal sources of surges are managed effectively.
RG Electric customizes surge protection solutions based on your building’s electrical layout, tenant needs, and long-term plans. We also help ensure each installation is compliant with local electrical permitting requirements and supports your insurance documentation.
Partnering with RG Electric for Surge Protection and EV Readiness
At RG Electric, we understand the unique challenges that come with managing commercial and multi-unit properties in Los Angeles. Our approach is proactive, not reactive. We don’t just install surge protectors—we develop strategic electrical plans that anticipate your future needs.
Why Work With Us?
- Comprehensive Services: From electrical panel upgrades to EV charger installations and emergency repairs, we’ve got you covered.
- Permit & Inspection Coordination: We handle LADBS permitting, inspections, and code compliance so you don’t have to.
- Future-Proof Planning: We help you design systems that support tenant demand and building evolution for years to come.
Don’t wait until a power surge takes down your systems or an EV charger request turns into a missed leasing opportunity. Fill out the form on our website or call us directly at (323) 521-5131 to schedule a free evaluation. Let’s make sure your building is not only protected—but future-ready.
