Five Ways Sourcing Switchboards Is Broken

Sourcing switchboards should be easy, but the truth is that it rarely is.

As a switchboard Sales Engineer at Giga Energy, I spend most of my time working with switchboard specifications and supporting customer projects. Over the course of my career, I have seen the same problems again and again: delays, high costs, and complicated ordering processes. All come together to create headaches for customers and manufacturers alike. 

In this article, I’ll highlight five major problems with the switchboard buying process and where they come from. Then I’ll share how we’re solving these challenges at Giga Energy by making switchboards faster, more adaptable, and more robust than ever before.

Why Switchboards Are So Important

Switchboards protect circuits, control energy flow, and help systems run safely and efficiently. It doesn’t matter if you work in commercial buildings, industrial plants, or large infrastructure projects: a well-designed switchboard can make the difference between a reliable electric system and a troublesome one.

The problem is that, even when they are needed, switchboards aren’t easy to get (and no, this doesn’t have to do with how much they cost). There are a lot of small issues in the sales process that turn procurement and sourcing into a nearly impossible task. 

The Biggest Problems in Switchboard Procurement

Buying something should be simple, right? But when that "something" is complex (which is true of most switchboards), the process quickly becomes complicated. Without the right knowledge and tools, it’s easy to overlook important details or run into unexpected issues. Here are five key problems every buyer should be aware of:

1. Communication Breakdown Between Sales and Engineers

One of the biggest headaches in switchboard procurement is the disconnect between sales teams and engineers. Salespeople often don’t fully grasp the technical complexities of the switchboards they’re selling. They might be great at handling the initial sale but not at navigating the details of switchboard design, drawings, or customization requirements.

This lack of communication results in errors — important details like protection schemes, control systems, and sizing issues get overlooked. For example, imagine you’re working on a system that needs a highly customized protection scheme, but the salesperson doesn’t understand what’s needed or doesn’t pass that information along. The result is a switchboard that doesn't meet requirements, forcing you to send it back for adjustments. That could delay the entire project.

In some cases, engineers don’t even get to speak with the sales team until late in the process. By then, critical mistakes may already be baked into the design, making changes costly and time-consuming.

All of these are reasons why our team decided to cut out the middleman: our engineers and sales team talk directly to you, ensuring that every requirement is crystal clear from the start. There’s no room for oversimplification and requirements getting lost in the process: just straightforward communication that keeps your project moving.

2. Overlooking Protection Schemes and Power Metering

Switchboards aren't just about power distribution; they also need to integrate complex protection schemes and power meters. These systems prevent overloads, short circuits, and other faults, and they also help monitor energy consumption. However, many suppliers don’t always understand how these components need to work together, which leads to serious design flaws.

Let’s say that you need a power meter designed for a particular type of load or location, but the supplier doesn’t offer that flexibility. They might give you a standard meter that works for most applications but doesn’t meet your specific needs. Now, you’re stuck with something that might need to be replaced or modified later on, which will only add time and costs to your project.

A good example is when a retrofit requires a new meter or control scheme after installation. Many suppliers don’t allow for easy upgrades, so engineers are forced to go back to the factory for modifications (up to 20 additional weeks in some cases). This doesn’t just add time, it also disrupts the entire schedule. 

At Giga, we take a different approach. Our modular switchboard design allows for easy adjustments in the field, so if your requirements change, we can adapt without derailing your schedule.

3. Unpredictable Lead Times and Parts Availability

Switchboards are made up of many sophisticated parts: circuit breakers, SPD’s, relays, and more. But these parts are not always as available as they should be. Manufacturers rely on third-party vendors for components, and if there’s a shortage or delay, it can push back the entire project timeline.

For example, you might be waiting for a specific type of circuit breaker that’s in high demand. Suppliers can’t always get the parts quickly, and that delay affects the final assembly and shipping of the switchboard. Some projects end up waiting for weeks or even months before they can get the parts they need.

These minor details can create bottlenecks that impact the entire construction timeline. If a switchboard is delayed, electricians and other trades might not be able to start their work, increasing labor costs and delaying completion.

This problem here is exactly why we take charge of our own supply chain. We decided that, if we wanted an efficient process, we needed to stop depending on external vendors to source critical components and switch to handling it ourselves. That means we can deliver switchboards in as little as 8 to 12 weeks, keeping your project on schedule.

4. Logistics and Delivery Problems

Even after a switchboard is built, the job isn’t over. Delivery and logistics can become another major headache. A lot of suppliers outsource their shipping to third-party carriers, and if there’s a delay on their end, the switchboard gets stuck in transit without any accurate updates.

For example, a switchboard might sit at a warehouse for days before being shipped out due to poor tracking. Suppliers may promise a delivery date, but if the shipping company doesn’t meet the deadline, there’s often little recourse. If the switchboard arrives late, it disrupts the entire project schedule.

Without a clear logistics plan and active tracking, project managers are left guessing when critical equipment will arrive. This creates unnecessary stress and potential downtime for projects. 

At Giga, we integrate logistics into our process from day one by working directly with project managers to coordinate deliveries. This helps us ensure that you get accurate timelines without any surprises.

5. Skimping on Standards and Certifications

Switchboards must meet stringent standards to ensure they’re safe and compliant with local regulations like the well-known UL 891. However, some suppliers cut corners, putting out products that might not meet all the necessary safety and performance certifications. 

Skipping compliance checks is, first and foremost, pretty risky. But even if we look past that and focus only on efficiency, it can do more harm than good. The problem with these shortcuts may not be obvious at first, but they can lead to major problems down the line. 

If a switchboard fails an inspection in the field, engineers may be forced to send it back for costly rework. If it doesn’t meet utility requirements, the entire switchboard may need to be scrapped and replaced, which will mean not only months of project delays but also a lot of unexpected expenses. 

This might seem obvious, but we don’t cut corners. Every switchboard we build at Giga Energy meets UL and local utility standards. We work directly with utility companies to make sure everything is up to code before it leaves our facility, so you don’t have to worry about last-minute compliance issues.

The Right Switchboard Partner Makes All the Difference

Switchboard procurement shouldn’t be a process full of surprises — but with long lead times, rigid designs, and outdated processes, that’s exactly what many vendors deliver. 

They tell you all you need to do is buy their product, but real-world challenges show that what you actually need is a partner who works with you during the whole process, from drawings to delivery.

At Giga Energy, we take a different approach. We prioritize transparency, collaboration, and quality to eliminate delays and unexpected costs. The result? A switchboard that meets your exact needs, on time and without any headaches.

Ready to get started? Contact our team today and let’s build the right switchboard for you.

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