TNB Amperage for Factories in Malaysia: How Much Power You Need and How to Find a Factory That Already Has It

Key Takeaways

• Most factories in Peninsular Malaysia take low-voltage TNB supply at 415V three-phase, with amperage as the headline capacity figure, and 1000 amps roughly equals 700 kVA.
• Typical amperage ranges vary by operation: warehousing 60A to 200A, light assembly 100A to 300A, food processing 300A to 800A, plastic injection or CNC 800A to 1500A, cold storage 1000A to 2000A, metal stamping or foundry 1500A to 3000A and above.
• To verify a factory's supply, ask for the TNB bill (shows maximum demand), the TNB supply approval letter (definitive approved capacity), and the main incoming breaker rating; if quoted in kVA, divide by roughly 0.72 to estimate amps.
• Upgrading TNB supply requires appointing a registered electrical consultant for a load study, applying to TNB, TNB assessing network support, and possibly installing a new transformer or substation, which can take time and land.
• For requirements at or above 1000A, treat amperage as a hard filter from the start because genuine high-power units are a small fraction of the market.

Power supply is the one factory specification you cannot fake, delay, or easily fix after signing. A production line that needs 1500 amps will not run in a unit approved for 300 amps, no matter how good the location or price is. Yet most factory listings in Malaysia say nothing about amperage, and most searches never ask. This guide explains how TNB amperage works for industrial premises, how much power different operations actually need, what an upgrade really involves, and the faster route: finding a factory that already has the power in place.

What amperage means for a Malaysian factory

Most factories in Peninsular Malaysia take low-voltage supply from TNB at 415V three-phase, and the headline capacity figure is the amperage of the incoming supply: 100A, 300A, 800A, 1500A and so on. As a rough conversion at 415V three-phase, 1000 amps corresponds to about 700 kVA of apparent power.

Larger plants go beyond low voltage entirely and take medium-voltage supply (11kV or 33kV) with their own transformer or substation on site. If your load study points that way, land area for a substation becomes part of the property requirement itself.

Two numbers matter when you assess a unit:

• Approved supply capacity: what TNB has sanctioned for the premises, shown in the supply approval documents.
• Maximum demand: what the current occupier actually draws, visible on the TNB bill.

A unit can have a large switchboard but a small approved supply, so always verify the approval, not just the hardware.

How much power does your operation need?

Every operation is different and a load study by a registered electrical consultant is the real answer, but these are the typical ranges seen across Malaysian industrial listings:

If your requirement sits at 1000A or above, treat amperage as a hard filter from day one. Units with genuine high-power supply are a small fraction of the market, and touring 20 factories that can never power your machines wastes weeks.

How to check a factory's existing supply

Before viewing, ask the agent or landlord for:

1. The TNB bill: it shows the tariff category and the recorded maximum demand.
2. The TNB supply approval letter: the definitive record of approved capacity.
3. The main incoming breaker rating on the switchboard, as a physical cross-check.

If the seller quotes kVA instead of amps, divide kVA by roughly 0.72 to estimate amps at 415V (700 kVA is about 1000A). For any serious commitment, have a Suruhanjaya Tenaga registered electrical contractor or consultant verify the installation. If a listing does not state the amperage, assume nothing: ask for documents.

Upgrading TNB supply: process, cost, and time

Upgrading is possible, but it is a project, not a form:

1. Appoint a registered electrical consultant to prepare a load study.
2. Apply to TNB for the additional supply.
3. TNB assesses whether the local network can support the new load.
4. If it cannot, the upgrade may require a new transformer or substation, sometimes with land handed over for it, plus connection charges.

Small step-ups within existing network capacity can be settled in weeks to a few months. A jump that needs new substation infrastructure commonly runs six months to a year, and the combined cost of TNB charges, switchgear, and internal cabling can reach well into six figures in ringgit. During that time you are paying rent or loan instalments on a factory that cannot run.

The practical rule: if the gap between existing and required supply is large, it is usually faster and cheaper to find a unit where the power already exists.

The faster route: search by existing amperage

Most Malaysian property portals cannot filter by power supply at all. FactoryHub records approved amperage on listings where the source confirms it, and lets you filter by it directly:

• Factories for sale in Selangor with 1000A and above
• Factories for sale in Selangor with 1500A and above
• High-power factories for rent in Selangor

You can also type the requirement in plain language into the search bar on the homepage, for example "factory 3 acres 1500 amp Klang", and it will translate the sentence into the right filters. For the full method covering ceiling height, floor loading and land size as well, see How to find a factory by technical specs in Malaysia.

High-power stock in the Klang Valley concentrates in a few corridors: Klang (Kapar, Meru, Sungai Puloh), Shah Alam (Sections 15, 16, 23, 26), Rawang and Sungai Buloh. Older heavy-industrial zones often carry the largest approved supplies.

FAQ

How many amps does a typical factory in Malaysia have?

Small link factories and light industrial units commonly come with 60A to 200A. Medium detached and semi-detached factories often carry 300A to 800A. Genuine high-power units with 1000A to 3000A are a minority and are mostly found in established heavy industrial zones.

How long does a TNB power upgrade take?

Minor upgrades within the existing network capacity can take weeks to a few months. Upgrades that require a new transformer or substation commonly take six months to a year from application to energisation, depending on network conditions and approvals.

What is the difference between amps and kVA?

Amps measure current, kVA measures apparent power. At 415V three-phase, kVA is approximately 0.72 times the amperage, so a 1000A supply corresponds to roughly 700 kVA. Either figure describes capacity; just make sure you compare the same unit.

Can I filter factory listings by amperage before viewing?

On FactoryHub, yes. Where the source confirms the approved power supply, it is recorded on the listing and available as a search filter. If a listing does not state amperage, request the TNB bill and supply approval letter before committing to a viewing.

Does a higher amperage factory cost more?

Generally yes. Power-ready units command a premium because the buyer avoids upgrade cost, risk, and months of waiting. In most cases the premium is smaller than the true cost of upgrading a low-power unit yourself.

Need a factory with confirmed high-power supply in KL or Selangor? Contact us and tell us your amperage, land and loading requirements. We check the supply documents before you travel to a viewing.

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