Your Electrical System Should Support Your Business, Not Limit It
Growth is the goal for every Tulsa business owner. New equipment, expanded operations, additional staff, and longer hours all put increasing demand on the electrical infrastructure underneath your building. The problem is that most commercial electrical systems are sized for what a space needed when it was built, not what it needs now. At Buxton Electric, we work with commercial property owners and business operators across Tulsa and the metro to assess, upgrade, and maintain electrical systems that support real business growth.
Does Your Panel Have the Capacity for What’s Coming?
Commercial electrical panels are rated in amperage, and amperage translates directly into how much
load your building can support. Most older commercial spaces in Tulsa were built with 200-amp single-
phase service. Modern operations, particularly those with HVAC systems, commercial kitchen
equipment, multiple workstations, EV charging, or heavy machinery, can push well beyond that.
Signs your panel may be undersized for current or planned operations:
- Breakers trip when multiple pieces of equipment run simultaneously
- You’ve had to prioritize equipment use to avoid tripping circuits
- You’re planning to add equipment with significant electrical load
- You’ve been told by another contractor that your panel is ‘at capacity’
- Your space was built more than 25 years ago and hasn’t had electrical updates
Three-Phase Power: Do You Need It?
Single-phase power handles most light commercial loads fine. But if your business runs industrial motors, commercial HVAC units, large compressors, or commercial kitchen equipment (or if you’re planning to), three-phase power delivers the efficiency and capacity those systems need. Three-phase motors run cooler, last longer, and cost less to operate than their single-phase counterparts.
Upgrading from single-phase to three-phase involves a service entrance upgrade and coordination with your utility provider. It’s a significant project, but for businesses whose equipment demands it, it’s the right investment.
EV Charging: Is Your Commercial Space Ready?
The number of employees and customers driving EVs is growing steadily, and Tulsa is no exception. Adding Level 2 EV charging to a commercial property requires dedicated 240V circuits and, in most cases, panel capacity assessment. The good news is that most commercial spaces can accommodate EV charging without a full panel upgrade; it depends on your existing load.
Lighting: The Hidden Efficiency Opportunity
Commercial lighting accounts for a significant share of most businesses’ electricity costs. LED retrofits
converting fluorescent, HID, or incandescent fixtures to LED typically reduce lighting energy use by
40–70%. For large commercial spaces, the ROI is measured in months, not years.
The Buxton Standard: Honest Assessment, Not Upsell
What you can expect from a commercial assessment with Buxton:
We assess your current system, identify genuine gaps between what it can handle and what your business needs, and give you a clear, itemized picture of your options. We tell you what’s urgent, what can be planned for, and what isn’t necessary at all. You get options and explanations. not a recommendation inflated to maximize the invoice.
