- 027 484 0801
- [email protected]
- Monday - Sunday 24 hours
Restaurant electrical is complex and demanding — commercial kitchens draw serious power and equipment failures mean lost revenue. We handle three phase power, cooking equipment circuits, refrigeration, ventilation and dining areas so your restaurant runs without electrical problems interrupting service.
Commercial kitchens wired right across Christchurch
Did complete electrical for new Italian restaurant opening in Addington. They took over existing space but gutted kitchen completely. We installed 100 amp three phase distribution board sized for all kitchen equipment, ran 32 amp three phase circuit for commercial oven, separate 32 amp three phase for six burner range, 20 amp circuit for commercial dishwasher, dedicated circuits for fridges and freezers so food stays safe if other circuits trip, ventilation hood with make-up air system wired properly, grease trap heat tape circuit to prevent freezing, dining room with dimmable LED lighting creating ambiance customers love, bar area with power for espresso machine and blenders and ice maker, POS system wiring at host stand and bar, outdoor patio heaters on dedicated circuits. Kitchen exhaust fan interlock with gas shutoff for safety. Everything code compliant and certified. Restaurant opened on schedule with electrical system handling peak loads no problem. Chef loves having reliable power for all equipment.
Restaurant electrical is complex and demanding. Commercial kitchens use lots of power. Equipment failures mean lost revenue. Getting electrical right means restaurant operates smoothly without electrical problems interrupting service.
Commercial kitchens need serious electrical capacity.
Three phase power almost always required. Commercial cooking equipment typically three phase. More efficient for heavy loads. Standard in commercial buildings.
High amperage circuits common. Commercial oven maybe 32 amps three phase. Range another 32 amps. Dishwasher 20 amps. Adds up fast.
Load calculation before design. We add up all equipment power requirements. Size service and panel accordingly. Typical restaurant maybe 100-200 amps three phase total.
Dedicated circuits for major equipment. Each major appliance gets own circuit. Prevents one problem affecting multiple pieces of equipment.
Future capacity planning. Restaurants add equipment over time. We leave spare capacity and extra breaker slots. Makes additions easier.
Cooking equipment drives most electrical requirements.
Combi ovens, convection ovens, pizza ovens. Usually 32 amp three phase circuits. Heavy cable required - 6mm or larger.
Six burner ranges common. Electric models need 32 amp circuits. Gas ranges just need 10 amps for ignition.
Electric fryers draw heavy current. Two vat fryer maybe 40-50 amps total. Gas fryers minimal electrical.
Flat top griddles popular for breakfast places. Electric models draw 30-40 amps depending on size.
Tandoor ovens, wok burners, salamanders all have different requirements. We work from equipment specs.
Cold storage absolutely critical in restaurants.
Walk-in coolers and freezers. Condensing units typically three phase. Maybe 15-25 amps depending on size. Must be reliable circuit.
Reach-in refrigerators and freezers. Single phase usually. Each unit on dedicated circuit prevents food loss if circuit trips.
Ice machines need dedicated circuits. Commercial ice maker draws 15-20 amps. Water line and drain also required but thats plumbing.
Display refrigeration for bars and cafes. Glass door fridges, under counter units. Multiple units can share circuit if sized properly.
Backup considerations. Some restaurants want critical refrigeration on emergency power. We can install transfer switch for generator.
Commercial dishwashers have specific electrical needs.
High temp dishwashers most common. Use electric heating elements to sanitize. Typically 20-25 amp single phase or 15 amp three phase.
Low temp chemical sanitizing dishwashers. Lower electrical load. Maybe 10-15 amps. Require chemical dispensing system though.
Booster heaters if needed. Some dishwashers need separate booster heater for proper temperature. Additional circuit required.
Hardwired connection typical. Commercial dishwashers usually hardwired not plug in. We install junction box and strain relief.
Kitchen ventilation is safety critical.
Exhaust hood fan. Pulls cooking fumes and grease out of kitchen. Usually three phase motor. 5-15 amps depending on hood size.
Make-up air unit. Replaces air removed by exhaust. Heated in winter. Maybe 20-30 amps for heating elements plus fan motor.
Hood fire suppression system. Wet chemical system required over cooking equipment. We wire pull stations and gas shutoff valve.
Interlock requirements. Exhaust fan must shut off gas to cooking equipment if fan fails. Code requirement for safety.
Variable speed controls becoming common. VFD drives on exhaust fans save energy. Adjust speed based on cooking activity.
Front of house needs proper electrical too.
Ambient lighting creates atmosphere. Dimmable LED downlights common. Warm color temperature for restaurants. Control system lets staff adjust for time of day.
Accent lighting highlights features. Wall sconces, pendant lights over tables, art lighting. Creates visual interest.
Table power for laptop users. Some restaurants provide outlets at tables or booth dividers. Convenient feature customers appreciate.
Music system wiring. Background music throughout restaurant. Speakers in ceiling. We provide power for amplifier and run speaker wire.
Emergency lighting required. Battery backup lights and exit signs. Code requirement for commercial occupancy.
Bar areas have unique electrical needs.
Commercial machines need 20-30 amps. Some are three phase. Critical for cafes.
Multiple blenders running simultaneously during rush. Dedicated 20 amp circuit prevents trips.
Glass chillers, bottle coolers. Multiple units. We provide adequate circuits.
Often behind bar. Separate circuits for reliability.
Multiple outlets at bar. Data connections for credit card processing.
LED strips lighting back bar shelving. Creates attractive display.
Modern restaurants rely on electrical POS systems.
Reservation system and seating management. Power and network connection.
Tablets or terminals for order entry. WiFi access points need power and data.
Screens showing orders to kitchen staff. Replace paper tickets. Multiple screens need power and network.
Card readers at tables or counter. Power and connectivity required.
Computer, printer, router all need power. Usually in office or back room.
Grease management needs electrical.
Grease trap heat tape. Prevents grease freezing in outside trap. Thermostat controlled heating cable. GFCI protected circuit.
Grease interceptor pumps if applicable. Some setups need pump to lift grease. Dedicated circuit sized for pump.
Garbage disposal. Heavy duty commercial disposal. 15-20 amp dedicated circuit. Hardwired with local switch.
Patio and outdoor areas increasingly popular.
Patio heaters for year round use. Infrared heaters typically. Each maybe 15-20 amps. Multiple circuits for several heaters.
Outdoor lighting. Ambient lighting plus task lighting for servers. Weatherproof fixtures required.
Outdoor outlets for cleaning equipment. Pressure washer, vacuum. GFCI protected outlets.
Music speakers outdoors. Extension of interior sound system. Weatherproof speakers and proper wiring.
Did cafe in Fendalton with large courtyard. We installed eight overhead heaters on four separate circuits so they could heat different sections independently. Owner loves being able to use courtyard almost year round now.
Restaurants have strict safety requirements.
Smoke detectors in kitchen and dining areas. Heat detectors over cooking equipment. Manual pull stations at exits.
Ansul or similar wet chemical system. We wire actuation mechanisms and gas shutoffs.
Battery backup so they work during power failure. Required by code at all exits.
Cameras, door contacts, motion sensors. Recording equipment. We wire complete system.
Silent alarm in case of robbery. Hardwired to alarm panel.
Restaurant electrical heavily regulated.
Building consent required. New restaurant or major renovation needs consent. Electrical is part of consent package.
Health department requirements. Food safety regulations drive some electrical requirements. Adequate lighting, proper refrigeration circuits.
Gas interlock requirements. Exhaust fan failure must shut off gas cooking equipment. We install and test properly.
Electrical inspection at stages. Rough-in inspection before walls close. Final inspection before occupation. We coordinate all inspections.
Certificate of compliance issued. We certify all electrical work meets code. Required for consent completion.
Restaurant projects require coordination.
Kitchen consultant provides equipment layout. Shows exact locations of all equipment. We design electrical around their plan.
Equipment specifications critical. We need electrical specs for every piece of equipment. Power requirements, connection type, whether hardwired or plug in.
Timing coordination. Electrical rough-in happens early. Final connections after equipment installed. We schedule appropriately.
Last minute changes common. Equipment substitutions, layout tweaks. We stay flexible and responsive.
Restaurant electrical significant investment.
Basic kitchen equipment, simple dining area. Straightforward installation.
Full commercial kitchen, proper dining area, bar. Complete electrical system.
Extensive kitchen, multiple dining areas, complex systems. High-end installation.
Factors affecting cost include kitchen size, equipment quantity, three phase service upgrade, building condition, ceiling heights, after hours work requirements.
Three phase service upgrade adds $3000-8000 if not already available. Power company fees plus internal distribution.
If you need restaurant electrical installation in Christchurch give WeDo Electrical a call. We handle complete restaurant electrical - commercial kitchens, three phase power, cooking equipment, dining areas, everything for successful food service operation. Licensed electricians experienced with restaurant projects. Available 24/7 if you need us.