Having weird electrical problems in your commercial building can be extremely frustrating and disruptive to your business. As a business owner or facility manager, it's important to understand some basic electrical troubleshooting techniques so you can quickly identify and resolve common electrical issues.
Gather Information on the Electrical Issue
The first step is gathering as much information as you can about the electrical problem.
- Ask tenants/employees if they have noticed any unusual electrical behaviors. Get details on when it happens, how often, etc.
- Check circuit breakers to see if any have tripped. This could indicate an overload or short on a circuit.
- Note any weird smells like burning plastic which could indicate overheated wires.
- Look for visible signs like flickering lights or damaged electrical components.
Documenting symptoms and details will help you isolate the root cause.
Evaluate Common Causes of Electrical Problems
Once you've gathered information, you can start evaluating common causes of electrical issues:
Faulty Appliances and Equipment
- Faulty or aging appliances and equipment like HVAC systems can draw too much power and cause circuits to overload.
- Plugging too many items into one outlet can also overload a circuit.
- Test appliances and equipment on different outlets/circuits to isolate the problem.
Loose Connections
- Loose wire connections at outlets or in junction boxes can interrupt power flow and cause flickering lights or power loss to part of a circuit.
- Tightening screws on outlets and connections may resolve loose connection issues.
Moisture Issues
- Water/moisture getting into junction boxes, condensers, or other electrical components can cause shorts.
- Look for signs of water intrusion like condensation or leaks near electrical systems.
Rodents/Pests
- Rodents or pests chewing through wire insulation can expose wires and short circuits.
- Inspect for any signs of nests or chew marks in electrical areas.
Overloaded Circuits
- Having too many devices pulling power on a circuit at once can overload and trip the breaker.
- Audit your current circuit plan and redistribute devices over additional circuits as needed.
Use Diagnostic Tools To Troubleshoot Further
If you can't resolve the issue by evaluating common causes, then use diagnostic tools for further troubleshooting:
- Multimeter - Use a multimeter to measure voltage on circuits to test for power issues or shorts.
- Outlet tester - Plug-in outlet testers can detect wiring faults like reversed hot and neutral.
- Thermal imaging camera - Identify overheating in wires, breakers, connections with a thermal camera.
- Voltage tester - Handheld voltage testers detect live power within cables and outlets.
Tracking down "phantom" electrical issues often requires methodically measuring and evaluating each component in a circuit.
Call an Electrical Contractor for Complex Issues
For electrical problems that pose a shock or fire hazard, or if an issue persists after troubleshooting, it's best to call a licensed electrician. Professional electrical contractors have the tools and expertise to fully diagnose tricky electrical gremlins.
They can identify issues within:
- Main service panel and breakers
- Conduit wiring runs
- Junction boxes and splices
- Grounding system
Though electrical issues can be frustrating, following a logical troubleshooting process can help identify and resolve many common problems. But when in doubt, contact a professional electrician to ensure electrical safety.