3-Phase Consumer Unit Installation – Commercial Warehouse, Cheshire

The Brief

A long-standing commercial client approached Portcullis Power Solutions with a specific challenge: they were creating a new working area within their existing warehouse and needed additional power capacity to support it safely and compliantly. The existing electrical infrastructure wasn’t sufficient to supply the new workspace, and the client needed a solution that would give them the capacity and protection required for ongoing operations.

Three-phase power was the right solution here – it provides significantly greater capacity than a standard single-phase supply, making it well-suited to the higher electrical demands of a commercial working environment. Our team carried out a full site assessment before beginning work to plan the cable routes, distribution board placement, and mounting approach.

What We Installed

The installation involved a brand new 3-phase consumer unit securely mounted on a plywood backing board, with a full cable tray system running the length of the warehouse to carry the cabling safely from the distribution board to the new work area. All cabling was neatly dressed, tied and routed through the tray for a professional, compliant finish.

• New 3-phase distribution board installed and mounted on a plywood backing board
• Full cable tray system installed along the warehouse wall and ceiling junction
• All cabling neatly dressed, secured and routed through cable tray throughout
• Isolation switch installed for safe disconnect
• All work carried out to current BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations
• Full certification provided on completion

The Installation Process

Before any work began, our team assessed the site to plan the most efficient cable route from the incoming supply through to the new work area. The plywood backing board was fixed to the wall first, providing a solid, insulated surface for the distribution board to be mounted against – standard practice for commercial warehouse installations where the walls are steel-framed or clad.

The cable tray was then installed along the wall and ceiling junction, running the full length of the warehouse to the new work area. This approach keeps all cabling off the floor, away from foot traffic and warehouse operations, and makes future access and maintenance straightforward. All cables were pulled through, dressed neatly and secured at regular intervals along the tray.

The 3-phase consumer unit was then mounted and wired, with the isolation switch fitted for safe disconnect. Once everything was in place, the system was tested, commissioned and certified before handover.

Why Cable Management Matters

It’s easy to focus on the distribution board and overlook the cable management – but in a commercial warehouse environment, how cables are routed and secured is just as important as the unit itself. Poorly managed cabling creates trip hazards, makes future maintenance harder, and can fail inspection. A properly installed cable tray system keeps everything organised, accessible and compliant from day one.

On this job, the cable tray runs the full length of the space, meaning any future additions or alterations to the electrical system have a clear, accessible route to work with. That kind of forward planning is standard for Portcullis – we install for the long term, not just to get the job signed off.

The Result

The new workspace was powered up and fully operational on completion. The installation gives the client the capacity, protection and compliance they need for ongoing operations – with a cable management system that’s tidy, safe and easy to maintain or extend in the future. Full certification and documentation was provided at handover.

Need Additional Power Capacity for Your Business?

This installation is a good example of what’s involved when a commercial premises needs to expand its electrical capacity for a new working area, production line, or additional equipment. Whether you need a 3-phase upgrade, a new distribution board, or a full commercial electrical installation from scratch – Portcullis Power Solutions can assess your requirements and give you a clear, honest quote.

We cover Nantwich, Crewe, Sandbach, Northwich, Chester and all of Cheshire for commercial and industrial electrical work.