Frequently Asked Questions

Founded in 1978 in Geneva, Rhône-Electra Engineering SA is an engineering consulting firm specialising in the design and study of electrical installations.

With over 48 years of experience, we support building owners and architects in projects ranging from office buildings to special infrastructure.

As an engineering consulting firm, we work upstream of construction:

• Feasibility studies and system sizing
• Execution plans and specifications
• Tender documents for electrical contractors
• Works supervision and oversight

We do not carry out installations ourselves, but we design the technical solutions and oversee their implementation by electrical contractors.

Based in Geneva, we primarily operate in French-speaking Switzerland. Our portfolio includes projects in:

• Canton of Geneva
• Canton of Vaud
• Valais

Our work includes commissions for international organisations, public institutions and private projects.

We offer four areas of expertise:

1. Electrical installation design — high and low current system sizing for all building types
2. Distribution and energy — MV/LV transformer stations, electrical distribution
3. Security and intelligent systems — building automation, access control, fire detection
4. Audit and expertise — energy audits, technical assessments, compliance studies

Yes, audit and expertise is one of our four areas of expertise. We carry out:

• Comprehensive energy audits
• Lighting assessments and recommendations
• Compliance studies in accordance with current standards

These audits identify energy saving potential and propose optimisation solutions.

Our experience covers a broad spectrum of buildings:

• Administrative — offices, headquarters, municipal buildings
• Education — schools, universities, training centres
• Hospitality — hotels, restaurants
• Residential — collective housing, luxury villas
• Medical — care homes, clinics, shelters
• Infrastructure — car parks, industrial facilities
• Special projects — photovoltaic, backup generators, professional kitchens

A project typically follows four phases:

1. Preliminary design — needs analysis, feasibility studies, budget estimates
2. Detailed design — detailed plans, specifications, tender documents
3. Execution — execution plans, coordination with trades
4. Works supervision — site monitoring, inspections, installation commissioning

Contact us via the form on our contact page or by phone.

To help us assess your request, please specify:

• The building type involved
• The approximate area
• The services required

We will arrange a meeting to assess your needs and provide a tailored proposal.

Absolutely. Electrical installation design is part of a multidisciplinary process.

We work closely with:

• Architects
• Civil engineers
• HVAC consultants (heating, ventilation, air conditioning)
• Other technical specialists

This collaboration ensures the technical coherence of the entire project.

We design our installations in compliance with Swiss standards and regulations:

• NIBT/NIN — Low Voltage Installation Standard
• ESTI — Federal Inspectorate for Electrical Installations directives
• Cantonal regulations on fire safety
• Energy efficiency standards currently in force

Yes, we integrate sustainable solutions into our designs:

• Photovoltaic installations
• Intelligent energy management systems
• Electric vehicle charging stations

Our portfolio includes photovoltaic installation projects and we advise our clients on the best sustainable energy options.

An MV/LV substation (medium voltage / low voltage) is a technical room that transforms electricity from the distribution network (typically 20 kV) into usable voltage for the building (400/230 V).

The design of these transformer stations is part of our distribution and energy expertise.