How to Troubleshoot Uncommon Electrical Malfunctions in Older Commercial Buildings
As an electrician who often works on older commercial buildings, I've seen my fair share of uncommon electrical malfunctions that require creative troubleshooting. Here are some tips I've learned over the years for diagnosing and resolving those pesky electrical gremlins.
Identify the Specific Problem
The first step is always to clearly identify the specific problem or malfunction.
- Ask tenants/staff detailed questions about what is happening, when it happens, and anything else unusual they notice. Their observations provide clues.
- Reproduce the problem yourself, if possible. See the malfunction with your own eyes.
- Check for error codes on equipment or circuit breakers that point to a possible cause.
- Take voltage and amperage measurements on circuits to compare with expected values.
Thoroughly documenting the problem guides troubleshooting in the right direction. Never assume it's just a minor glitch without investigating.
Consider Both Old and New Equipment
With older buildings, problems could originate in older equipment that hasn't been updated as well as newer systems and devices that have been added over the years.
- Inspect older switchgear, transformers, panels, wiring that may have deteriorated over decades of use.
- Check compatibility of wiring and protection devices as upgrades are made over time.
- Verify new equipment is installed properly for the older electrical system.
Faulty operation can be traced back to outdated and incompatible equipment that was overlooked.
Visual Inspection Is Key
Many elusive electrical gremlins result from loose connections, overheated wires, corroded terminals, or damaged insulation. Finding these requires careful visual inspection of the electrical system.
- Remove cover panels and examine all connections for signs of heat damage or looseness.
- Check wiring for brittle, cracked insulation.
- Follow conduits to see if any sections have come loose.
- Use an infrared camera to check for hot spots on wires, lugs, and devices.
Thorough inspection of the entire system often reveals degradation that is causing intermittent problems.
Don't Rule Out Environmental Factors
The environment itself can trigger some electrical system malfunctions in older buildings. Consider these possibilities:
- Leaky plumbing or ground water creating short circuit paths
- Vibration from nearby equipment loosening connections
- Rodents/insects chewing on wiring insulation
- Extreme temperatures in unconditioned spaces causing component failure
Look for and correct environmental problems contributing to the electrical gremlins.
Leverage Maintenance Records
The maintenance history of an older building provides clues for troubleshooting unusual electrical problems.
- Review maintenance logs to identify recurring issues or dated equipment.
- Talk to building maintenance staff to tap their institutional knowledge on electrical quirks.
- Research original construction drawings to see if problems stem from original design.
Put the electrical system in context by studying maintenance records and staff experiences with it.
Be Methodical When Everything Looks OK
Sometimes I find no obvious cause despite checks revealing properly operating equipment. In these cases, be meticulous to track down the issue.
- Retrace circuits end-to-end to find any hidden faults.
- Insert test breakout points and measurements to isolate problem segments.
- Use diagnostic testers to verify each component is working properly.
Following a methodical process eventually reveals the source of even the most puzzling electrical malfunctions.
Pinpointing uncommon electrical problems in older buildings requires tapping specialized troubleshooting techniques. Arm yourself with the right knowledge and tools to take on these electrical mysteries when they emerge. Let methodical, detailed diagnostic processes guide you to the root cause of the malfunction. With persistence, even the most evasive electrical gremlins eventually get revealed.