When Should You Consider Upgrading Your Commercial Electrical Panel?
Most commercial property owners and managers rarely think about the electrical panel. As long as the workers can turn on the lights and power the electrical appliances or equipment, they carry on with their business. But, if people knew how vital electrical panels are and the role they play in a commercial building, they would never wait until problems occur to seek commercial electrical services for repairs or an upgrade. An electrical panel is the heart of the entire building's electrical system, so it should always be functional to avoid electrical failures or fires. After all, it's linked to the whole electrical system, so when it malfunctions, the damage will be extensive. Want to know when you may need to upgrade your panel? Here are some signs you shouldn't overlook.
Your Panel Looks Too Old
When was the last time you installed an electrical panel? If it was installed several decades ago, then it likely looks old even if it's maintained regularly. Perhaps the wiring appears worn out, and your staff cannot make out the labels written on the circuit breakers. If that's the case, then you should consider contacting your commercial electrician to replace it as it can start malfunctioning at any time.
Your Electrical Needs Have Increased
The commercial building's circuits can easily be overloaded when you buy a new appliance, machine, or piece of work equipment. This usually causes the circuit breaker to trip, and the wiring system also struggles to handle the load. Sometimes businesses choose to ignore the problem since they know that upgrading the system and panel may take time, leading to downtime. But it's better to consider commercial electrical solutions like a system or panel upgrade than to face the safety risks associated with overloading an electrical system. Once the electrician upgrades the system, they will also install more outlets particularly in areas where more power is needed. This way, work efficiency will be guaranteed and everyone's safety will be guaranteed.
Your Panel Is Extremely Hot
Whenever anyone in your commercial building notices that the electrical panel is hot or an outlet or light switch is warm to the touch, an electrician should be called. These issues signify that the panel cannot handle the current power requirements, and if nothing is done, the heat will keep building up and melt the wiring's insulation or create sparks leading to a fire. The only solution is upgrading the electrical panel and wiring.
You should never allow your electrical panel to malfunction when you can contact a commercial electrical services provider. So, if you notice any of these signs mentioned above, call your electrician right away.