Electrical issues in older commercial buildings can be tricky to diagnose and repair. As an electrician working in these environments, you will encounter unique challenges that require creative troubleshooting approaches. This guide covers strategies and techniques to effectively troubleshoot uncommon electrical problems in aged business properties.
Understanding Electrical Systems in Old Buildings
Many older commercial spaces rely on outdated electrical systems that have been modified over the decades. Common factors that contribute to electrical issues include:
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Antiquated wiring: Older buildings may have wiring that is insufficient for modern power demands. Copper wiring can become brittle or corroded over time.
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Makeshift repairs: Previous electricians may have used stopgap fixes that fail to address root causes. This can lead to recurring issues.
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Undocumented changes: Building owners may have made undocumented alterations to electrical systems that confuse troubleshooting efforts.
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Incompatible loads: Old wiring may struggle to support upgraded lighting, HVAC systems, and other new loads. This can result in overload issues.
You must research a building's electrical history and map out all systems to understand how they were intended to operate. This provides context for identifying irregularities.
Common Electrical Issues in Aged Commercial Buildings
Some electrical problems occur more frequently in older business properties. Be prepared to investigate the following:
Intermittent Power Loss
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Loose, corroded, or vibrating connections can cause power to cut in and out intermittently. Meticulously check all connections.
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Wiring insulation may be degraded, causing short circuiting. Inspect sheathing for cracks or damage.
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Overloaded circuits from added loads can trigger intermittent trips. Evaluate capacity issues.
Unexplained Breaker Tripping
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Impose systematic load testing to isolate any problem circuits or equipment causing trips.
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Check for incorrect breaker or fuse amperages that fail to match connected equipment. Replace as needed.
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arcs shorts from damaged wiring or devices, triggering instant trips. Meticulously test all components on problem circuits.
browned Lights or Underpowered Equipment
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Measure voltage levels to confirm if brownouts are occurring. Check for loose wiring connections.
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Faulty transformers or outdated electrical panels may cause inadequate voltage on circuits. Test transformer windings and panel amperages.
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Overloaded circuits from added equipment may cause voltage drops. Repair, replace, or reroute wiring as needed.
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Check for high resistance on wiring from corrosion and damage. This can reduce voltage delivery.
Erratic Motor Behavior
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Use a megger to check for degraded motor windings causing erratic behavior. Replace if insulation resistance is low.
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Worn brushes or faulty bearings can affect electric motor function. Inspect brushes for excessive wear and test bearing smoothness.
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Make sure applied voltage matches motor nameplate rating. Incorrect voltages can damage motors over time.
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Excess load conditions from belts or bad bearings can overwork motors. Diagnose and remedy sources of overloading.
Methods for Tracking Down Obscure Electrical Faults
Pinpointing elusive electrical gremlins in older buildings requires meticulous troubleshooting methods. Use these proven techniques to uncover problems:
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Check resistance and impedance on all conductors and equipment, even if they initially test fine. Intermittent conditions may be present.
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Simulate vibration and temperature conditions that could reproduce problems, such as running heavy loads on a cold startup. Faults may appear only under certain conditions.
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Diagram and meter every conductor to build a reference of baseline readings. Compare these against measurements during faults to isolate the malfunctioning conductor.
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Correlate electrical events with time using dataloggers to identify patterns. Problem behaviors may emerge at consistent times.
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Photograph and label everything throughout troubleshooting. Small details that escape documentation often end up being relevant later.
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Divide processes into simplified test cases to narrow down issues by elimination. Reduce circuits to individual components until the fault is exposed.
Persistence and rigorous elimination of variables will eventually uncover the source of even the most perplexing electrical gremlins.
Leveraging Electrical Schematics and Building Records
When available, electrical schematics and building alteration permits can provide invaluable troubleshooting assistance. Here are some tips for leveraging these resources:
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Cross-reference schematics against on-site observations to identify any discrepancies from undocumented changes. These inconsistencies often hold clues.
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Note any vague or confusing historical work descriptions that warrant further investigation when examining records.Seek out areas where missing information could hide issues.
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Research equipment data using model numbers and specifications found on nameplates. Compare electrical properties against schematics to expose mismatches.
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Look for records of problem repairs that match the observed symptoms. The faults may have recurred if not properly fixed.
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Evaluate if newly added loads correspond with records. Unapproved expansions can overload systems in ways that blueprints do not indicate.
In general, let the schematics guide your validation of actual conditions. Any deviations from documented specifications can help expose problem origins.
Safety First When Working in Older Buildings
Since aged commercial electrical systems often contain outdated or incorrect safety features, extra precautions are essential. Follow these guidelines to ensure safety:
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Inspect all protective equipment like insulation, conduits, and breaker panels before beginning work. Upgrade or replace damaged parts.
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Quadruple check for live power before touching any conductors or making connections. Assume documentation is incorrect until proven otherwise.
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Rigorously follow lockout/tagout procedures on de-energized circuits to prevent accidental reactivation. Verify deactivation with meter tests.
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Use properly rated personal protective equipment given the age of systems. Assume worst-case hazards on undocumented wiring.
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Have fire extinguishers and emergency egress routes readily available. Photograph work zones before beginning in case reconstruction becomes necessary.
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Never work alone given the elevated risks. Have someone available to quickly summon help in an emergency.
Safety must take priority when troubleshooting electrical issues in older buildings. Take your time and do not cut corners that could prove disastrous.
Leveraging Specialized Diagnostic Equipment
For difficult electrical faults, specialized diagnostic equipment can isolate issues that evade basic troubleshooting:
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Ultrasonic detectors can find arcing and corona discharge from damaged wires or loose connections. This quickly narrows search areas.
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Power quality analyzers check for distortion, noise, or abnormal waveforms indicating equipment faults or power factor issues.
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Infrared scanners identify overheating in switches, outlets, breakers, and wiring due to excessive loads. This pinpoints overload conditions.
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Multimeters with recording capability can monitor for intermittent faults and capture detailed voltage data for analysis.
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Circuit tracer equipment tracks wiring paths and locates splice connections that may not be documented.
Investing in these professional diagnostic tools can optimize troubleshooting productivity when hunting tricky electrical gremlins.
Leveraging Electrical Contractor Expertise
For profoundly difficult electrical faults, do not hesitate to enlist specialized contractors who can provide comprehensive troubleshooting expertise, equipment, and manpower. Look for these ideal capabilities:
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Extensive experience specifically with older commercial electrical systems.
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Engineering competence to understand complex retrofitted systems.
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Knowledge of regional building codes through different eras.
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Availability for exhaustive troubleshooting efforts over long periods.
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Ability to reverse engineer undocumented altered circuits.
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Sophisticated diagnostic tools and testing capabilities.
While calling in contractors may increase costs, they can save tremendous time and effort when extremely obscure issues defy resolution. Their engineering mastery is invaluable.
Persistence Is Key
At the end of the day, resolving evasive electrical problems in aged buildings comes down to tireless persistence until the true fault finally reveals itself. Adhere to these persistence principles:
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Exhaust all theories completely before moving on to prevent backtracking.
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Take detailed notes and photos to preserve troubleshooting progress in case a break in work occurs.
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Start each session by summarizing previous efforts to restart your mind fresh.
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Assign every anomaly a unique identifier to avoid confusion as open items accumulate.
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Take breaks to avoid fixation and recharge mental focus when frustrations mount.
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Celebrate small wins and eliminations to maintain a positive perspective.
With a systematic approach and unrelenting persistence, even the most confounding electrical issue eventually surrenders to diagnosis.
Conclusion
Old commercial buildings contain antiquated electrical systems that respond unpredictably as they age. By understanding common issues, strategically leveraging documentation, employing rigorous troubleshooting discipline, utilizing advanced tools, and tapping specialized expertise as needed, you can conquer the most obscure electrical gremlins encountered in these environments. With persistence and creativity, any difficult diagnosis can be solved.