ᐅ Meter cabinet with current transformer measurement – types and costs?

Hello everyone,

I am currently renovating an old warehouse from the 1980s and setting up a small workshop and office for personal use. I am doing most of the work myself, except for essential tasks like connecting water, wastewater, and electricity. I do have some basic knowledge, though.

Now I am facing the challenge of creating a "new" electrical supply.

Background:
The old electrical panel was completely worn out, outdated, and overcrowded [2 panels approx. 200x600mm (8x24 inches) each || one with meter, one with breakers]. There were already some failures (the main RCD kept tripping). So, I had it disconnected and a temporary construction power distribution installed. I also asked the electrician to provide a quote for a new, large, future-proof panel.

The free-standing cabinet should be no taller than 2 meters (6.6 feet) and no wider than 1.10 meters (3.6 feet).
It should handle 3x100A for the workshop and machinery, which means metered current transformers are needed.
The preliminary information was that "such a cabinet costs 2,000 to 3,000 euros." *Phew*—but what can you do.

Now I received an offer of nearly 12,000 euros gross for a generously equipped metering cabinet (21 x C32 breakers || 37 x C16 breakers || 70 x B16 single-pole 230V breakers) with 3x160A current transformers including installation and connection, but without final wiring of the outgoing circuits. Professionally assembled; brand "S+J."
The cabinet alone is quoted at 7,000 euros net. I don’t know the electrician very well, but he seems reasonable to me (I’m an entrepreneur myself and think I have a good sense of these things... at least I like to believe so). Of course, I could be wrong!!

Question:
Is something like this realistic? Or what alternatives are there for this kind of situation? Reducing the number of breakers is an option. Half as many with a later sub-distribution would be enough for me...

I can, of course, search online—and I already have. But you mostly find empty cabinets and usually only 3x63A rated. Most importantly, I’m not sure if a smaller cabinet might also be sufficient.

Are there any well-informed opinions here, maybe from professionals or people who have dealt with similar projects?

Thanks in advance and best regards
Nicolai

PS: This is happening in the greater Karlsruhe area (Baden-Württemberg), if that should be relevant...

For the design, the simultaneously required power is important. This must also be specified when applying for the connection. The diversity factor is also taken into account. In other words, three people cannot operate multiple machines all at the same time. Therefore, the number of outlets is a secondary consideration. It should be clear what exactly is going to be connected, operated, or produced.

Hello,

Unfortunately, I don’t understand the "response."

As described, it should be designed for 3x160A (3x160 amperes) but for now, I will only have the contract upgraded with the utility company to 3x100A (3x100 amperes); that will be sufficient initially. They have already been on site and checked the incoming supply line. The costs for the upgrade compared to the supplier are not what I’m referring to here. Those costs apply regardless.

As I understand it, the permissible total power results from the above specification, doesn’t it?

Best regards
Nicolai