How to Safely Inspect and Maintain the Electrical System in Your Commercial Building

Introduction

As the owner or facilities manager of a commercial building, ensuring your electrical system is properly maintained is crucial for safety, operational efficiency, and longevity. An electrical system inspection and maintenance plan allows you to identify and address potential hazards before they become dangerous or costly repairs. In this article, I will provide a comprehensive guide to safely inspecting and maintaining the electrical system in your commercial building.

Planning Your Electrical Inspection and Maintenance

Proper planning is key to successfully inspecting and maintaining your building's electrical system. Here are some important steps to take:

Create a Schedule

• Create a regular schedule for inspecting and testing all electrical components. Monthly or quarterly inspections are recommended.

• Schedule maintenance procedures like cleaning or tightening connections 1-2 times per year.

Have a Checklist

• Develop a detailed checklist that covers what to look for during inspections.

• Checklists should include examining wires, conduits, junction boxes, circuit breakers, generators, lighting fixtures, and electrical panels.

Keep Detailed Records

• Keep records of all inspections and maintenance performed.

• Note any issues found and repairs made. This provides documentation of your due diligence.

Hire Professionals

• Consider hiring a licensed electrician annually for complex maintenance tasks and inspections.

• Professionals can verify safety and recommend improvements.

Inspecting the Electrical System

Thoroughly inspecting the electrical system is the key to identifying potential issues before they become costly repairs or safety hazards. Here's what to look for:

Wires and Cables

• Examine wires and cables throughout the building for damage. Look for cracked or frayed insulation.

• Ensure wires are not pinched, kinked, or stressed at connections.

• Verify wires are securely fastened and properly routed into enclosures.

Conduits and Raceways

• Check conduits and wire raceways for cracking, bending, blockages, or leaks.

• Confirm covers and barrier strips are securely attached.

• Verify conductors inside raceways are neatly organized.

Junction Boxes

• Inspect junction boxes for signs of overheating - discoloration, melted plastic.

• Check covers are securely fastened and inspect gaskets for wear or cracks.

• Confirm connections are tight and corrosion free.

Circuit Breakers and Fuses

• Test circuit breakers and fuses to verify they trip when overloaded.

• Ensure circuit breakers fully reset when turned off then on.

• Confirm breakers match their labeled amperage ratings.

Lighting Fixtures

• Check light fixtures for damaged or missing bulbs and lenses. Replace as needed.

• Verify fixture housing is intact and connections are snug.

• Clean fixtures regularly to maximize light output.

Electrical Panels

• Inspect electrical panels for damage, dirt & debris buildup, corrosion, or overheating signs.

• Check covers/doors are properly secured. Locks should fully engage.

• Confirm panel labeling matches building plans and is legible.

Maintaining the Electrical System

Along with inspections, regular maintenance keeps your building's electrical system operating safely and efficiently. Key maintenance tasks include:

Cleaning

• Clean excess dust and dirt from wires, raceways, junction boxes, and panel interiors.

• Clogged ventilation openings can cause overheating.

Tightening Connections

• Tighten terminals and connections to specifications. Loose connections increase resistance.

• Apply antioxidant paste to aluminum wire connections.

Testing Safety Equipment

• Test GFCIs, AFCIs, and surge protectors to ensure proper function via the test buttons.

• Replace non-functional units immediately.

Replacing Old Equipment

• Upgrade aging panelboards, breakers, or meters to modern equivalents. This improves safety and capacity.

• Consider adding arc-fault & surge protection if not already present.

Verifying Grounding

• Test grounding electrodes and connections to confirm continuity and integrity.

• Proper system grounding is critical for safety.

Hiring Electrical Professionals

While many inspection and maintenance tasks can be performed in-house, hiring professionals for complex work is recommended. Reasons to hire electricians include:

• Infrared Scanning - Identifies "hot spots" and issues like loose connections.

• Power Quality Testing - Verifies voltage, harmonics, and other power metrics.

• Breaker Testing - Confirms breakers trip properly under fault conditions.

• Thermographic Imaging - Reveals "hot spots" and signs of electrical faults.

• Generator Load Testing - Validates generators start and run under building loads.

• Lighting Audits - Ensures lighting levels match building usage needs.

Conclusion

Regularly inspecting and maintaining your commercial building's electrical system is crucial for identifying potential hazards, ensuring continuous uptime, and avoiding costly repairs down the road. Develop checklists, keep detailed records, perform routine cleaning and maintenance, upgrade aging equipment, and hire professionals annually. Following these best practices will lead to an electrical system that operates safely and efficiently for years to come. Let me know if you have any other questions!