From sizzling grills to mood‑lighting in the dining room, a restaurant’s electrical system works hard every day. Dr Electric provides safe, reliable and rapid electrical solutions for restaurants, cafés, food courts and commercial kitchens across the DMV. We handle everything—from heavy‑duty kitchen circuits and hood interlocks to ambient lighting—so you can focus on serving great food.
Kitchen equipment draws a lot of power. We design and install dedicated circuits for ovens, fryers, broilers, mixers, dishwashers and food prep appliances. Modern NEC rules require GFCI protection on almost every receptacle in a commercial kitchen—125‑ through 250‑volt single‑phase outlets up to 50 A and three‑phase outlets up to 100 A. Appliances such as microwaves, wall ovens, ranges and dishwashers must also be on GFCI‑protected circuits when rated 60 A or less and 150 V to ground. We ensure your wiring and panel capacity handle these loads safely.
Kitchen hoods remove grease‑laden vapors and provide fire protection. Code requires Type I hoods over cooking equipment producing grease and smoke. Exhaust fans must move adequate airflow and be interlocked with the cooking equipment so they automatically run when the equipment is on. Type I hoods must include an automatic wet‑chemical fire‑suppression system with a manual pull station; fans must shut off if the system activates. Our electricians install UL‑listed hood motors, shunt‑trip disconnects that cut power or gas during a discharge, and proper lighting with shatterproof covers.
Ambience matters. We design warm, energy‑efficient LED lighting for dining areas, bars and waiting rooms. Smart dimming controls let staff set different moods for lunch and dinner, while occupancy sensors save power when seats are empty. LED upgrades can reduce lighting energy use by up to 75 percent and programmable scenes ensure safety and comfort.
Refrigerators, walk‑in coolers, ice machines and dishwashers run constantly, so reliability is critical. We provide dedicated circuits, GFCI protection and proper grounding. Energy Star‑rated refrigeration equipment uses up to 30 percent less energy; we can help coordinate utility rebates and plan for load management to avoid panel overloads.
Opening a new restaurant or renovating an existing space? We handle the entire electrical scope: load calculations, drawings, permitting, rough‑in, final inspection and coordination with the health department. We understand aggressive timelines and can work nights to minimize disruption.
Restaurant electrical systems are governed by several codes. NEC Section 210.8(B) requires GFCI protection for almost all commercial kitchen receptacles—125‑ to 250‑volt, single‑phase outlets rated 50 A or less and three‑phase outlets rated 100 A or less. Appliances such as microwaves, wall ovens, ranges and dishwashers supplied by branch circuits rated 60 A or less must also be GFCI protected. NFPA 96 mandates Type I hoods for grease‑producing equipment and Type II hoods for steam or condensate; hoods must be built from non‑combustible materials (minimum 0.0466 inch stainless steel) and include automatic wet‑chemical fire suppression with manual activation. Exhaust fans must be interlocked with cooking equipment and shut down when suppression activates. Codes also require hoods to be cleaned regularly: high‑volume kitchens every 3 months, moderate‑volume every 6 months and low‑volume annually. We follow these standards and coordinate with local inspectors to ensure compliance.
Restaurants consume a lot of energy. Upgrading to LED lighting and smart controls can cut lighting costs by up to 75 percent. Energy Star‑rated ovens, refrigerators and dishwashers can reduce energy consumption by 20–30 percent. Motion sensors and programmable thermostats further reduce waste. We also install surge protection, balanced panels, and offer preventive maintenance to keep your kitchen running smoothly. Utility rebates and tax incentives may offset upgrade costs—we’ll help you take advantage of them.
Ready to power up your kitchen safely and efficiently? Book a kitchen power walk‑through with Dr Electric today and see how we can keep your restaurant cooking without surprises.
