For an office, electricity is an afterthought. For a maker, it is the foundation, and often that means three-phase power. A workshop without enough power means tripping fuses, machines you cannot run at the same time and growth that stalls. Before you rent a space, it is worth knowing what you need.
Single-phase or three-phase power
A standard socket is fine for a laptop, a soldering station or a 3D printer. Larger machines such as a table saw, a planer, a compressor, a kiln or a welder often run on three-phase power. That is a heavier connection that can deliver more power at once.
Make a list of your machines
Check the rating plate on each machine. It shows how much power it needs and whether it requires three-phase power. List them and work out which machines run at the same time. That gives you a good picture of what you need, today and in a few years’ time.
- Which machines do you use, and how much power do they need?
- Which ones run at the same time?
- Which machines do you plan to buy in the coming years?
- Do you also need extraction, heating or cooling that uses electricity?
Your own meter is fairer
In many commercial buildings, electricity is split across all tenants. For makers, that is rarely fair: heavy users pay too little and light users pay too much. With your own meter for each space, you pay exactly for what you use. That makes your costs predictable.
Ask in advance
Mention in your enquiry which machines you have and what you expect to use. A good landlord will then help you find the space that fits. That saves you discovering after the move that the electrics cannot cope.
If in doubt, ask an electrician to take a look. An hour of advice up front is cheaper than alterations afterwards.
How it works at Fabrica
Fabrica is built for businesses that make things. The building has three-phase power and every space gets its own electricity connection and its own meter. So you only pay for your own use. If you need a lot of power, mention it in your request. We will then look together at which space suits your machines best.
View the spaces on the floor plan or request a space straight away.
