Upgrade / Change of Existing Supply

An existing electricity supply may need to be changed when the current arrangement no longer suits the customer’s intended electrical use.

This may happen because of:

• increased electrical load;

• new electrical equipment;

• renovation or property changes;

• changes to the electrical installation;

• changes to the required supply arrangement;

• existing supply limitations; or

• other technical or TNB requirements.

The correct solution depends on both the existing condition and the new requirement.

Why is an assessment needed first?

A customer may know the outcome they want, but the correct electrical or TNB route cannot always be determined from the request alone.

For example, “I need more power” could involve:

• changes to internal wiring;

• distribution-board changes;

• protection upgrades;

• load assessment;

• supply-capacity changes;

• TNB application requirements;

• consultant involvement; or

• other site-specific work.

This is why the existing electrical condition needs to be understood before the final route is decided.

What is The Victor Chor Works’ role?

Where the work falls within our scope, we may:

• inspect the existing installation;

• understand the customer’s new electrical requirement;

• assess the existing supply and installation;

• identify whether rectification, modification, or upgrade work is required;

• determine the appropriate application or TNB route;

• prepare relevant technical information;

• arrange the appropriate competent-person involvement;

• carry out or coordinate applicable electrical work;

• prepare or coordinate the relevant TNB application or request;

• respond to requirements within our scope; and

• coordinate customer-side work with TNB work.

What does the customer need to provide?

Depending on the case, the customer may need to provide:

• information about the existing supply;

• existing TNB account or bill details;

• property information;

• details of new equipment or intended electrical usage;

• site access;

• relevant drawings or documents;

• approvals or signatures; and

• applicable payments.

The exact requirements depend on the job.

Rectification, modification, or upgrade?

These are not always the same thing.

Rectification

Correcting something that is damaged, unsuitable, incomplete, or needs to be brought into an acceptable condition.

Modification

Changing the existing installation to suit a new arrangement or requirement.

Upgrade

Increasing or changing electrical capability beyond the existing arrangement.

A job may involve one or more of these.

How does the process normally work?

A typical matter may follow:

Customer requirement
↓
Inspect existing supply and installation
↓
Assess new electrical requirement
↓
Determine whether rectification / modification / upgrade is needed
↓
Determine TNB / application route
↓
Prepare technical information and customer-side work
↓
Submit / coordinate with TNB where required
↓
TNB processing / additional requirements
↓
Complete applicable electrical and TNB-side work
↓
New supply arrangement becomes operational
↓
Agreed contractor scope completed

The exact sequence depends on the existing site and required change.

What can affect the final scope?

The final work may change after assessment because of:

• actual load requirements;

• condition of existing wiring;

• distribution-board condition;

• existing protection arrangement;

• available supply;

• meter or service arrangement;

• TNB requirements;

• site limitations;

• consultant involvement; or

• additional customer requirements.

This is why the exact work should not be assumed before the existing installation is assessed.

Who may be involved?

Depending on the scale and complexity of the work, the matter may involve:

• the customer;

• The Victor Chor Works / Electrical Contractor;

• Wireman / competent person;

• Electrical Consultant Engineer where required;

• TNB;

• building management;

• developer;

• other contractors; or

• other authorities.

Fees and charges

Costs may come from different parties.

These can include:

The Victor Chor Works

• inspection;

• assessment;

• electrical work;

• rectification;

• modification;

• upgrade work;

• competent-person involvement;

• technical preparation;

• testing and certification;

• application coordination.

TNB

• applicable supply or connection-related charges;

• deposits;

• infrastructure-related costs; or

• other TNB charges.

Other professionals / parties

• consultant fees;

• civil work;

• authority fees;

• building management requirements; or

• other third-party costs.

The important distinction remains:

who is charging → what the charge is for

When is the matter complete?

The matter is not complete merely because an application was submitted.

Completion may require:

• the existing installation to be suitably modified or upgraded;

• required technical documents to be completed;

• applicable approvals or requirements to be satisfied;

• TNB work to be completed;

• the new supply arrangement to become operational; and

• the agreed contractor scope to be completed.

In simple terms

An upgrade or change of existing supply starts with one question:

What do you need now, compared with what the premises already has?

From there, the correct electrical work and TNB route can be determined.

Official References

Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB)

Official electricity-supply guidance

Suruhanjaya Tenaga (Energy Commission)

Electrical competency and regulatory requirements