All you need to know about Commercial Fire Safety Solutions
07/12/2022
What are the Qualities of a good Industrial or Commercial Electrician?
25/01/2023
Every commercial space relies on a stable, safely regulated, and uninterrupted power supply that supports the business.
In this context, a transformation of a commercial unit to a dedicated office needs to be hassle-free, especially the performance of electronic equipment.
This could be managing your modems, routers, hardware, and other systems which include a lot of connections—you need to make sure they work properly.
Functional outlets, satisfactory lighting, and safe wiring are the key aspects that contribute to the health of your electric system.
Does your office space need a wiring upgrade? How do you know whether the electrical system is outdated?
Let’s discuss the major areas you should evaluate to decide whether your commercial space needs a wiring upgrade or not.
6 Signs that Tells Your Office Needs a Wiring Upgrade
1. Lights Flicker Unnecessarily
Ever thought about why occasionally your ceiling lights flicker? There could be numerous reasons that cause the voltage to fall, especially in aged buildings.
It can be the fault of the wire, but it can also be due to the problems that hide in the ceilings or walls.
Flickering lights also cause health concerns for employees like problems with vision, stress, and headaches.
An important step is to get them inspected by a technician who understands the electrical concepts well.
It is also a time for an upgrade under the following conditions:
- If the light fixtures, components, and lights are not working
- Lights are placed in undesirable angles that affect productivity.
- Lights are dim and does not keep the area bright with sufficient lighting.
- Lights are not working despite changing the lightbulb.
2. Electrical outlets become warm
Certain situations arise where some outlets get grounded based on the surge protector, while others don’t.
This would be a challenge to the expert electricians, and also essential for offices since they will be of regular use.
If the lighting strikes any place around, electricity will pass through the wiring dangerously.
Also, sometimes the ground connection is not performed appropriately— this needs a thorough investigation to safeguard your buildings and the occupants.
It is time to make a wiring upgrade if:
- The outlet feels warm, regardless of plugging or unplugging an appliance.
- Dead outlet— this is serious, only qualified electricians should check the cause of a dead outlet.
3. Getting Sparks from Outlets
Think about plugging a device into the outlet and receiving a spark back– nobody would like to face a bad experience, especially while using electric devices.
While you consider this normal most of the time, this can be a major issue with your wiring.
When the outlets release a spark, you should get the help of a certified expert, particularly when you have the office set up in an aged building.
The old-fashioned wirings are unsafe; hence you should get them verified if you are not sure about their age or their situation.
Spark can occur with a loose connection, worn-out outlets, or a water leak that causes a power shortage.
You should go for a wiring upgrade when you see the sparks to avoid circuit overloading and damage to the entire electrical system in your office.
4. Frequent Burning Smell
When you smell something burning, this is something to panic about. You should immediately act if you get a smell from the electrical panel.
A damaged circuit breaker can cause fire, making your entire commercial space and the people inside under fire.
If you smell plastic, it would be the melting of the plastic jacket of your electrical wiring. Smelling wood could cause serious damage to the office walls.
If you experience a subtle smell that disappears often, your electrician can fix the issue. However, if the smell lasts, and if you are scared that the fire has set out already, you should quickly evacuate the office and get the help of fire rescue.
5. The trouble with Circuit Breaker
If you face temporary power failures, which restart after some point of time, this could be a warning that the circuit breaker has trouble balancing the electrical load.
You should not get panicked if it occurs only once or twice a year, however if the frequency is higher, it is a cause of concern.
Resetting will not solve the problem that causes the trip—it could also be the problem with short-outs, faulty components, or ground overloads.
Old, disconnected, and faulty circuit breakers can cause damage to the electrical supply, if not brought to the notice of an expert electrician.
6. Expensive Electrical Bills
Every commercial space needs to pay the electrical bills, which is a part of the monthly expenses. But, ever experienced a huge rise in the bill?
Have you ever felt that the power expenses are not according to the size of your office space, and the usage? Then this could be because you probably have outdated wiring.
The expensive electrical bills could be because of inappropriate wiring, stressed circuit breakers, and other electrical wiring or outlet damages, which urges the need to replace the wiring.
What are the Immediate Safety Measures You Can Adopt?
- Make sure experienced and trusted electrical contractors perform electrical installation and maintenance jobs.
- Avoid hanging cloth and other materials on the electric devices.
- Avoid using wet hands and body to manage electric equipment.
- Overhead power lines have increased voltages that cause burns. Maintain at least a 10 ft distance from the lines and surrounding equipment.
- Don’t leave the damaged electrical tools exposed. Check for abrasions and cracks on cables or wires. Get it repaired if you find any defects.
- Wires with inappropriate sizes can result in overheating and the risk of fires. Utilize the adequate wire and the electric load to operate.
- Never overload an outlet, and also implement proper use of circuit breakers. Make sure you conduct fire risk assessments and fix the bad wiring at frequent intervals.
- Exposed electrical parts need immediate repair; secure them with a guarding system and enclose them immediately.
- Proper grounding is essential to prevent electrocution and eliminate unnecessary voltage.
- Inadequate insulation is another hazard; hence turn off every power source and then replace the damaged insulation. Avoid electrical tape to cover them.
- Electrical equipment is never meant to be an ideal combination with wet locations. Water can increase electrocution and cause damage to the equipment.
- Never use extension cords unless it’s important. Also, make certain you don’t nail down or staple these cords.
Wrapping Up
A simple electric upgrade can enhance the durability and safety of your commercial unit.
Train your employees and keep them aware of how to unplug the electric equipment properly.
When you choose an assistance for electrical installation and maintenance, remember to choose those who have high working knowledge and experience to support you throughout.
The trusted electrical contractors can help you inspect your devices, cords, and plugs regularly to avoid serious damage.
