Load Management System

A load management system (LMS) is a great, budget friendly option for those who add a large electrical load to their house. Instead of requiring the utility to shut down the power for a few hours, and the electrician to upgrade the meter, panel, and wires coming into the home, an LMS avoids this altogether. So, what is an LMS?

An LMS is a device that allows you to add an electrical load to your existing system without the extra expense of doing a service upgrade. Are you installing a Level 2 EV charger? An LMS is an option for you. Let’s use the new EV charger as an example to explain the LMS:

When an electrician installs an LMS for an EV charger, instead of taking the EV charger power back to the panel, he/she takes it to this box (the LMS). This box can be by your panel, or by your EV charger depending on your situation. The LMS will only allow the EV charger to turn on if other large electrical loads in the house are not currently operating, which means that fewer amps will be used at any given time. So, what are the pros that result from this?

Pros

1. Your service may not need to be upgraded. This will save time and money.
2. You won’t be inconvenienced by a few hour power outage. For some that work from home this may be a problem.
3. Not invasive. Compared to a service change, which can get invasive, the LMS only requires access to the panel and location where the LMS will go. With that said, some circumstances will require a more invasive procedure.
4. Can be scheduled in a much shorter time frame. The installation of an LMS doesn’t require communication with the supply authority (utility). This process can take weeks if you are doing a service change, whereas an LMS can be scheduled as soon as we can do the work.

At this point you may say “This sounds great. Let’s do it!”, but just a minute. I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t tell you that there are a couple of cons to installing an LMS.

Cons

1. Might not be a permanent solution. Let’s say you add an EV charger now and add a hot tub a year down the road. Now, you would most likely need a service change. An LMS is not future proof.
2. There’s more to go wrong with an LMS. We all know that the more technology something has, the more that can go wrong with that technology. This may result in service calls down the road. However, this is not guaranteed.
3. Cost. I know I said that an LMS is a budget friendly option, but in reality the savings is usually between $500-$2000 depending on the situation. Is that worth it for the chance that you may need a service change in the future? That’s up to you.

In the end, the decision is up to you. Depending on your situation, an LMS may be the perfect option for you. Here are some loads that may require you to consider installing an LMS:

• EV Charger
• Hot Tub
• Heat Pump
• Adding an electric stove
• Adding a pool