Why Choose Commercial Breaker Panels?
Whether you’re overseeing a multi-unit commercial building in Calgary or managing a growing facility in Edmonton, the importance of a well-designed, code-compliant commercial breaker panel cannot be overstated. These panels form the backbone of your building’s electrical system, ensuring safe power distribution, arc flash protection, and future scalability. Selecting the right panel type—main breaker, sub-panel, load center, or panelboard—directly impacts energy efficiency, safety compliance, and uptime for your business operations across Canada.
Understanding Breaker Panel Ratings and Load Requirements
Commercial breaker panels must match the electrical demands of your facility—starting with amperage capacity and expanding into factors like three-phase compatibility, load calculation accuracy, and CEC compliance. Panels must also be CSA-certified to meet Canadian safety regulations. Proper sizing reduces risk of overheating, nuisance tripping, and equipment malfunction, extending the lifespan of both the panel and connected systems.
“Proper panel sizing and fault protection save your facility thousands in downtime and safety fines.” — Alberta Breaker Electrical Insights
When to Upgrade or Replace a Breaker Panel
Aging commercial properties often contain outdated electrical infrastructure, including rusted, undersized, or overloaded panels. Upgrades are essential when installing large equipment, expanding your footprint, or experiencing frequent power issues. Warning signs include hot breakers, buzzing sounds, and inconsistent power. An upgrade also provides the opportunity to improve arc flash protection and align with modern safety standards.
Stats: Over 70% of commercial panel failures are due to undersized or outdated equipment (Canadian Safety Journal, 2022)
Stay ahead of costly power disruptions—ensure your panel is sized, certified, and built for your facility’s current and future needs.
Product Categories
Key selection factors for commercial breaker panels offered by Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd, serving Calgary, Edmonton, and shipping Canada-wide.
Not all commercial breaker panels serve the same function. Choosing the right type depends on your building’s power infrastructure, load profile, layout constraints, and code requirements. Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd stocks a wide selection to serve electricians, contractors, and property managers across Calgary, Edmonton, and beyond.
Main Breaker Panels
Main breaker panels are the primary source of circuit protection in commercial buildings. Located near the service entrance, these panels house a main shut-off breaker and protect branch circuits against overload and short circuits. They are essential for facilities requiring centralized control and must be rated for the building’s full load capacity.
Sub-Panels
Sub-panels extend your electrical system by offloading circuits from the main panel. Installed in workspaces, garages, or secondary buildings, sub-panels improve accessibility and load management. They’re crucial for projects requiring zone-specific control and can accommodate future load increases without a main panel replacement.
Meter Load Centers
These hybrid units combine meter sockets and load centers in a single enclosure—ideal for multi-tenant or shared commercial spaces. They streamline power metering and distribution, and are often used in strip malls, apartments, and commercial warehouses. CEC-compliant options simplify permitting and centralized billing.
Load Break Panels
Load break panels are rated for high-voltage commercial or light industrial use, offering manual or automatic switching at load levels. These are ideal for facilities operating high-demand equipment and serve a critical role in maintaining power delivery during maintenance or emergencies.
“Each application type demands different amperage and layout considerations. Always plan for future expansion.” — Don Haynes, Alberta Breaker
Explore panel types tailored to your site’s architecture and compliance goals—talk to our experts serving Calgary, Edmonton, and Canada-wide contractors.
Brands We Carry
Trusted commercial breaker panels from top brands in stock at Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd’s Calgary and Edmonton shop, ready to ship Canada-wide.
At Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd, we proudly stock commercial breaker panels from manufacturers recognized for safety, innovation, and long-term reliability. Our inventory is handpicked for projects in Calgary, Edmonton, and remote Canadian sites needing certified solutions fast.
Siemens
Siemens breaker panels are a top choice for commercial builds requiring future-ready scalability and digital diagnostics. Their plug-on neutral designs simplify installation, while robust bus systems and integrated arc flash protection ensure service life and occupant safety.
Square D
Square D by Schneider Electric offers commercial-grade panelboards known for modularity and durability. From QO to NQ/NF series, Square D panels provide reliable fault protection and fast turnaround for both new builds and electrical retrofits across commercial settings.
Eaton
Engineered for high-load environments, Eaton breaker panels offer advanced fault current protection and harmonize easily with existing electrical architecture. Their three-phase options, corrosion-resistant enclosures, and strict CSA compliance make them a go-to for light industry and large facilities.
“We stock CSA-compliant panels from brands electricians trust—ensuring long-term reliability and support.”
Choose from Canada’s most trusted panel brands—available at our Calgary and Edmonton locations or shipped direct coast-to-coast.
Choosing the Right Breaker Panel
Key selection factors for commercial breaker panels offered by Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd, serving Calgary, Edmonton, and shipping Canada-wide.
If you’re sourcing a new commercial electrical panel in Calgary or Edmonton—or preparing to upgrade a panel across Canada—knowing what to evaluate helps ensure safety, performance, and code compliance. Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd offers a wide range of CSA-certified, CEC-compliant breaker panels tailored for everything from tenant improvements to new commercial builds. Whether you’re an electrician specifying for multi-unit projects or a contractor pricing a retrofit, understanding panel selection variables is essential.
Factors to Consider
Several variables dictate the correct panel choice for your project. Start with these essentials:
- Amperage Load: Panels typically range from 100A to 1200A+ for commercial applications.
- Voltage & Phase Type: Know if your setup requires single-phase or three-phase configurations.
- Enclosure Rating: Indoor NEMA 1 or outdoor NEMA 3R depending on the mounting environment.
- Number of Circuits: Choose panels supporting adequate slots with future expansion in mind.
- Brand Match: Ensure breaker compatibility (Square D, Siemens, Eaton, etc.).
Tip: Use our commercial panel sizing calculator for accurate results — especially for multi-phase setups.
Compliance with Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)
Every commercial panel installed in Alberta, B.C., and across Canada must meet the Canadian Electrical Code requirements. Look for panels that are:
- CSA certified, confirming testing standards are met.
- Labelled clearly for voltage, amperage, and breaker compatibility.
- Designed for application-specific use (e.g., service entrance, sub-panel, lighting control).
“CEC violations can result in failed inspections and costly re-installs. Always choose CSA-certified, code-compliant panels.”
Single-phase vs. Three-phase Panels
Commercial buildings often rely on three-phase power systems for efficiency and load balancing. However, small offices or light-duty applications may still operate on single-phase panels. Consider:
- Single-phase: Used for loads under 240V and applications under 200A typically.
- Three-phase: Ideal for HVAC equipment, commercial kitchens, and machinery-heavy operations.
Understanding your electrical service type helps avoid unnecessary complexity during installation or inspection.
Contact our Calgary (403‑520‑0014) or Edmonton (780‑758‑6122) locations today, or use our new online ordering system to get an estimate.
Pricing Overview
Trusted commercial breaker panels from top brands in stock at Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd’s Calgary and Edmonton shop, ready to ship Canada-wide.
Anticipating the cost of a commercial breaker panel? Whether you’re budgeting for an office buildout or coordinating industrial expansion, Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd offers competitive pricing, rapid availability, and expert assistance to help you make the right call. Below we break down panel pricing by application type and explain the main cost drivers.
Panel Cost Ranges
Pricing varies considerably based on technical specs and installation needs. Average price ranges:
- Small office / retail: $250 – $750
- Restaurants / multi-load applications: $600 – $1,500
- Warehouses / 3-phase panels: $1,200 – $2,500+
“Expect pricing to range from $250 to $2,500+ depending on amperage, brand, and enclosure type.”
Labor for panel installation is typically additional, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000 depending on service complexity and regional labor rates.
Cost Factors (Material, Brand, Panel Size)
Three primary factors shape panel costs:
- Enclosure Material: Steel and aluminum mandate different price points for durability or outdoor use.
- Panel Size & Load Capacity: Larger amperage and circuit counts drive up transformer and breaker compatibility needs.
- Manufacturer: Established brands like Square D, Siemens, Cutler-Hammer (Eaton) come at premium tiers but offer reliability and longer warranty support.
Keep in mind, panels must often be paired with rated breakers—these add anywhere from $20 to $200 per breaker depending on the brand and pole count.
Contact our Calgary (403‑520‑0014) or Edmonton (780‑758‑6122) locations today, or use our new online ordering system to get an estimate.
FAQs About Breaker Panels
Aged commercial breaker panel with visible rust and safety tags, emphasizing electrical safety and reliability in commercial settings.
Have concerns about what breaker panel to install or replace—and whether you can do it yourself? Here are answers to the most common commercial breaker panel questions customers ask Alberta Breaker & Supply Co Ltd. Whether you’re a building manager in Edmonton or an electrician quoting a job in Calgary, these insights could save you time, risk, and rework.
Can I install one myself?
Unless you’re a licensed electrician, it’s illegal and dangerous to install a commercial breaker panel yourself in Canada. These panels involve high-voltage, multi-phase configurations and must pass electrical inspections reserved for certified installations.
Quote: “Leave installations to licensed electricians—improper wiring is a legal and fire hazard.” — Don Haynes
What’s the life expectancy of a panel?
Commercial-grade breaker panels are built to last between 25 and 40 years. This lifespan depends on several conditions:
- Environment: Moisture and dust accelerate corrosion.
- Load Stress: Consistent overloading can deteriorate internal components.
- Maintenance: Annual inspections by licensed electricians ensure longevity and safety.
“Most commercial breaker panels last 25–40 years with proper maintenance. Annual checks are vital.”
How to identify a failing breaker panel?
Key warning signs your electrical panel needs immediate replacement include:
- Flickering lights and voltage dips across multiple circuits.
- Burn marks, buzzing sounds, or a panel that feels warm to the touch.
- Frequent tripping of breakers or inability to reset individual circuits.
- Outdated brands like Federal Pacific or Zinsco, no longer compliant with modern codes.
Facility managers and business owners should inspect panels annually and act fast when damage or inefficiencies are detected.
Contact our Calgary (403‑520‑0014) or Edmonton (780‑758‑6122) locations today, or use our new online ordering system to get an estimate.