Signs You Need Repair for Your Commercial Electrical Panel
It can be frustrating for businesses when sudden electrical outages occur during peak hours of operation. A malfunctioning electrical panel can disrupt operations, lower productivity and potentially harm equipment and personnel. Regular maintenance of your commercial electrical panel is necessary to ensure it is working correctly. However, sometimes repairs are required to prevent damage or an outage. In this blog post, we will provide you with the signs that indicate you need to repair your commercial electrical panel.
1. Tripped Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers are installed to protect electrical equipment from short circuits or overloads. They do this by automatically switching off the power in the event of an electrical surge. However, if your commercial electrical panel is frequently tripping breakers, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. It could be due to worn-out breakers or, more commonly, a short circuit within the wiring. Either way, it's best to get your electrical panel inspected by a licensed electrician.
2. Flickering Lights
It may sound like a minor issue, but flickering lights in your business can be an indicator of a more significant electrical problem. The most common cause of flickering lights is voltage fluctuations. When an electrical panel is not working efficiently, it can cause the voltage level sent to your lighting circuits to fluctuate. This can damage your bulb filaments and lead to an outage. An electrician can check your metal electrical panel for issues like loose connections or damaged wiring.
3. Overheating
Electrical panels can become hot, especially when they are overused. If you feel your electrical panel is too hot or you can smell burnt wires, it is crucial to get it inspected by a professional. Overheating can lead to problems like short circuits, fires and even deadly electrical shocks.
4. Crackling Sounds
If you hear crackling sounds coming from your electrical panel, it is time for an immediate repair. This sound is caused by the electrical arcing between two conducting materials. Arcing can damage the wires in your electrical panel and start a fire. A licensed electrician can quickly identify the source of the problem and fix it before it turns into a larger issue.
5. Corrosion
Metal electrical panels commonly corrode over time, which can lead to loose connections and wiring faults. Corrosion can occur from exposure to elements like moisture or high temperature. If you suspect your electrical panel is corroding, get it inspected and repaired by an electrician. They can clean out the corroded metal parts or replace the corroded parts.
For more information, reach out to a commercial electrical repair service near you.