How to Troubleshoot Uncommon Electrical Problems in Older Commercial Buildings

Introduction

Troubleshooting electrical issues in older commercial buildings can be challenging due to the age and complexity of the electrical systems. As a building ages, electrical components degrade over time and unusual problems can develop. Additionally, older buildings often have antiquated wiring systems that do not conform to modern electrical codes. This article will provide an in-depth guide on how to identify and resolve uncommon electrical problems in vintage commercial structures.

Common Causes of Electrical Issues in Older Buildings

There are several root causes of unusual electrical malfunctions in mature commercial properties:

• Outdated wiring: Older buildings often have outdated electrical systems with undersized wiring, ungrounded circuits, aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube wiring, etc. These obsolete systems can lead to circuit failures.

• Deterioration: Electrical components naturally degrade over decades of use. Connections loosen, insulation cracks, water seeps in, etc. This deterioration causes abnormal electrical behavior.

• Improper renovations:sometimes electrical renovations are done incorrectly over the years. This can create hazards like overloads, improper grounding, code violations, etc.

• Excessive load: Additional electrical load is added over time. Older systems may struggle to support new large loads from computers, machinery, etc. This strains the capacities of aging electrical equipment.

Diagnosing Obscure Electrical Issues

Pinpointing unusual electrical gremlins requires deductive troubleshooting:

• Ask questions - Discuss the issues with building owners and maintenance staff. When did the problem start? Any particular pattern? Has anything changed recently? Get as much background as possible.

• Examine all potentially relevant systems - Look at the lighting circuits, power circuits, grounding, main panels, subpanels, wiring, junction boxes, outlets, switches, etc. The problem could originate anywhere.

• Consider the building's history - Study any original blueprints, old renovations, past upgrades, etc. The building's electrical history provides clues about the root cause.

• Methodically isolate the problem - Start at the main panel and work downstream to systematically eliminate sections of the system until you isolate the malfunctioning circuit or component.

• Use testing equipment - Meters, continuity testers, outlet testers, etc. Verify voltages, continuity, ground connections, etc. Measurements provide hard data about what's happening.

• Be meticulous - Small details often uncover elusive bugs. Thoroughly check every component. Examine connections, wire insulation, overloads, splices, etc.

Troubleshooting Specific Electrical Anomalies

Let's look at tracking down some unusual electrical faults:

1. Partial Outages

Partial outages, where some lights or outlets stop working, often stem from:

• Faulty breaker or fuse - Test for continuity and voltage. Replace defective breakers/fuses.

• Wiring damage - Inspect all wiring and junctions on the circuit for damage. Repair damaged wires.

• Neutral failure - Measure voltage between hot and neutral. No voltage indicates a broken neutral.

• Bad connections - Check all outlets, switches and connections for loose wires or corrosion. Clean and tighten all connections.

2. Flickering Lights

Flickering or dimming lights have several possible causes:

• Bad connections - Loose wires and corroded connections can cause flickering. Check all wires, splices and connections.

• Overloaded circuit - Add up the wattage of all fixtures on the circuit. If excessive, redistribute the load.

• Voltage drop - Measure voltage when lights are flickering. Low voltage indicates a supply issue.

• Faulty bulb - Try replacing the bulb. Old bulbs can flicker due to worn out filaments.

• Damaged fixture - Disassemble light fixture and check internal wiring for damage or dirt buildup. Repair or clean as needed.

3. Phantom Voltage

Phantom voltage appears when voltages incorrectly appear on circuits that should be dead:

• Induced voltage - Currents on adjacent live wires can induce phantom voltage. Re-route wires apart.

• Shared neutral - Check for shared neutral between circuits. Separate neutral wires.

• Incorrect wiring - Look for miswired connections tying neutral to hot. Correct any improper connections.

• Ground fault - Check for ground faults that are energizing neutral/ground. Fix faulty equipment or wiring.

Safety Precautions

Always exercise caution when working on electrical systems:

• De-energize circuits prior to servicing. Verify with a multimeter that power is off.

• Wear insulated gloves, eye protection and other safety gear appropriate for electrical work. Assume wires are live until proven otherwise.

• Clearly identify all disconnects and breakers so circuits aren't re-energized accidentally while being serviced.

• Allow only qualified electricians to handle high voltage equipment like main panels, transformers and distribution systems.

• Beware of arc flash risks and use proper arc rated protection when working on live power gear.

When to Call an Electrical Contractor

Contact a licensed commercial electrical contractor for:

• Major wiring upgrades and replacements
• Rewiring old outdated electrical systems
• Large scale panel and circuit breaker replacements
• Installing new main service and high voltage equipment

Some electrical repairs are best left to seasoned professionals with extensive commercial experience. They have the proper training to safely handle complicated electrical work.

Conclusion

Troubleshooting erratic electrical issues in aging buildings requires patience and detective skills. Meticulously gather clues through testing and visual inspection. Look for patterns and trace problems back to their sources. Address the root causes rather than just the symptoms. Follow safety procedures closely when dealing with electrical hazards. Some scenarios warrant calling a professional electrical contractor for assistance. With diligence and electrical know-how, one can conquer even the most bizarre electrical gremlins in old commercial buildings.