As the owner or facilities manager of a business, few things are more frustrating than dealing with electrical problems. Flickering lights, circuits randomly tripping, or equipment mysteriously powering off can disrupt operations and negatively impact the customer experience. When the cause of the issue is obvious - such as a breaker that's clearly flipped or a visibly damaged wire - the solution is relatively straightforward. However, tracking down more obscure electrical gremlins can try one's patience. By methodically troubleshooting and ruling out common causes, you can isolate even the most elusive electrical faults.
Inspecting the Electrical Panel
The main circuit breaker panel, or load center, should be the first stop when diagnosing electrical issues. Check for any breakers that are flipped off or fuses that have blown. Also look for signs of overheating on the breakers or bus bars, such as discolored or warped plastic. If the panel appears overloaded with too many circuits crammed into a small space, this can cause overheating and nuissance tripping. Any equipment added recently, such as HVAC components, industrial machines, or banks of computers, may require an upgrade to a higher amperage service panel.
Key things to check in the electrical panel:
-
Breakers flipped to the off position - Flip them back on one at a time to isolate any overloaded circuits.
-
Blown fuses - Replace with time-delay or slow blow fuses of the proper amperage rating.
-
Overheating signs - Discolored or warped breakers/bus bars indicate potential for dangerous failure.
-
Overloaded panel - Count the number of circuits and compare to the panel's amperage rating.
-
Loose wires - Tighten any loose neutral or ground connections.
Spending a few minutes inspecting the guts of your business's electrical panel can reveal issues that lead to vague power problems. However, the panel may check out fine and the source of the issue lies elsewhere.
Testing Individual Circuits
With the breakers all in the on position, methodically turn them off one-by-one to isolate any problem circuits. Leave the breaker off for that circuit and move your troubleshooting to key areas it feeds.
For example, turning off the sales floor circuit may reveal several lighting fixtures that coincide with the area. Or disabling the back-office circuit could point to issues with computers and other equipment in that zone. By narrowing down the location, you can dig into specific devices or connections that may be the root cause.
Be sure to take notes or draw diagrams of what turns off when disabling each circuit. This provides an informed starting point for testing connections rather than a blind guessing game.
Tips for testing circuits:
-
Turn off breakers individually - Leave problem circuit breakers off to narrow troubleshooting.
-
Note equipment affected - Make diagrams if needed to identify devices on each circuit.
-
Inspect connections - With power off, check wiring in boxes and devices on problem circuits.
-
Replace deteriorated wires and cords - Faulty insulation and aging electrical components cause issues.
-
Tighten loose connections - Corroded or loose wire connections can behave erratically.
Dividing the electrical system into smaller segments by circuit aids in isolating elusive issues versus trying to examine everything at once.
Checking Connections and Cords
Faulty connections and deteriorated wiring often cause obscure electrical faults. Even if the breakers and fuses check out fine, problems can develop at individual devices and junction points.
Focus your attention on outlets, switches, junction boxes, and equipment where the wiring terminates. With the power off, remove covers and inspect the wire connections. Look for any loose, corroded, or burnt terminals that may be contributing to electrical gremlins.
Check the condition of extension cords and power strips that branch off from outlets as well. Frayed or cracked insulation on cords can create short circuits and unpredictable power flow. Use a non-contact voltage tester to verify that power is off at outlets before examining wiring. Treat all wires as if they are live for safety.
Evaluating electrical connections and cords:
-
Remove covers with power off - Inspect connections in outlets, switches, and equipment.
-
Check corrosion and loose terminals - Clean and tighten any corroded or loose wires.
-
Verify insulation condition - Cracked or fraying insulation leads to shorts and shock hazards.
-
Replace outdated wiring - Cloth-insulated wiring and fragile rubber cords spell trouble.
-
Eliminate daisy-chained power strips - Overloaded plugs can overheat, melt, and ignite.
Poor connections and aged wiring are prevalent sources of electrical faults in older buildings. Replacing worn components provides reliable power.
Isolating Equipment Issues
If you've verified the circuit panel, wiring, and connections are solid, take a closer look at the electrical equipment itself. Problems within devices like lighting fixtures, motors, compressors, and computers can manifest as system-wide electrical glitches.
Start by checking equipment that is periodically unresponsive or powers down randomly. Plugged cooling fans, failed bearings, and tripped internal breakers are common causes. Test components individually by temporarily bridging them to a different circuit not exhibiting issues if possible.
Trends may emerge pointing to a certain piece of equipment prone to tripping breakers or causing voltage fluctuations. Call in an electrician or the equipment service company to investigate and repair or replace the problematic device.
Troubleshooting electrical equipment:
-
Note specific problem devices - Track equipment displaying electrical faults.
-
Check for blocked vents and fans - Overheating can lead to failure.
-
Inspect internals for issues - Failed bearings, stuck motors, bad contacts.
-
Test by powering on separate circuit - Helps determine if device is root cause.
-
Repair or replace faulty equipment - Call in qualified technicians as needed.
Even a single malfunctioning piece of equipment with a strong draw can play havoc with electrical stability.
When to Call an Electrician
Safety should be the top concern when troubleshooting electrical issues. If dealing with live high voltage connections or complex equipment, it's wise to call in a professional electrician. They have specialized tools for accurately tracing faults and properly repairing problems.
Likewise, if you have inspected the system but the root cause still proves elusive, an electrician can pinpoint the issue. Choose a licensed local electrician that comes highly recommended by other businesses. They should be thorough and detail-oriented in order to track down obscured problems.
Signs it's time to contact a professional electrician:
-
Inspections reveal hazards like damaged insulation or overheating wires.
-
The root cause remains unclear after methodical troubleshooting.
-
The electrical panel requires an upgrade or reconfiguration.
-
Diagnosing or repairing equipment like large motors and compressors.
-
You simply feel unsafe working with the high voltage electrical system.
Obscure electrical faults can make running a business frustrating. By taking a systematic approach to isolating issues circuit-by-circuit and inspecting connections, you can get to the bottom of most problems. But don't hesitate to call in a professional for safety and prompt repairs.