There are plenty of electrical issues that can plague a commercial building, and like all repair jobs, leaving an electrical problem untended is a sure way for damage to escalate. It’s important to engage licenced electricians to promptly complete any electrical work, both during the building process and for any inspections or repairs needed after completion – and identifying that an issue exists is the first step towards making that call. Read on for an overview of five common electrical problems your commercial building may encounter in its lifetime.
1: Improper Grounding
Grounding is the process of protecting anything connected to a building’s electrical system from surges. It ensures excess energy, which could otherwise generate sparks or cause damage to electronics, is safely discharged. Improper grounding prevents this safety system from functioning. Ground loops are one of the most common grounding issues, and occur when there is more than one point at which an electrical system is connected to the ground wire, preventing excess energy from discharging into the ground as it should.
2: Circuit Breaker Overload
Circuit breakers operate like safety switches which can turn off the flow of electricity to the electrical panel. However, their capacity is not infinite; circuit breakers can be overloaded when too many machines or appliances are connected, which can result in a fire. Adding circuit breakers, or an entirely new electrical panel, may be needed if a building outgrows its original panel.
3: Faulty or Overcrowded Wiring
Wiring issues, caused by poor installation, loose connections, and other factors, are very common in commercial buildings, especially those that are older. Sometimes they can be detected by signs such as a burning smell when turning on the lights, fuses that fail frequently, and flickering lights – symptoms that may become even more evident when newer fixtures are installed, as the power demands may exceed that which the wiring can safely provide, creating major risk of fire. Overcrowded wiring is a similar danger; wires installed too closely together may rub against each other to the point of wearing away the protective coating around the copper wiring, again leading to fires.
4: Disorganized Electrical Panels
Keeping electrical panels well organized and clearly labeled is of crucial importance. Organized panels guarantee that you can quickly cut the power in an emergency situation, such as an electrical fire, or in the event of needed repairs, such as a lighting retrofit. A messy panel that cannot be immediately accessed, on the other hand, could cause a costly, even fatal, delay.
5. Improperly Installed Hard-Wired Appliances
Many appliances, such as overhead fans, vehicle charging stations, and dishwashers, are not simply plugged in – they need to be hard-wired directly into the electrical system. Failure to incorrectly complete the wiring process can lead to fire or even electrocution, which is why only professional electricians should install these kinds of appliances.
Electricity is easy to take for granted, but the process of creating and maintaining a safe electrical system for a building involves significant expertise, which is why you should only work with the best construction professionals in the industry. At Pulse Construction, we’re committed to doing business with an honest, professional, and competitive approach – without compromising safety or schedules. Contact us today for all of your building needs.
