While nobody wants to spend money on calling in tradies when it’s not essential, there are certain situations where professional assistance is vital to the safety of the workplace and customers.
Due to the hazards that electricity presents, there are some circumstances when calling a commercial electrician is an important safety precaution. In a commercial building, minimising risk and reducing the likelihood of operations being disrupted is key.
Knowing when professional assistance with an electrical problem is required helps to ensure your business remains safe and as profitable as possible.
Read on to discover five signs that indicate you need a commercial electrician in Castle Hill as soon as possible.
Electrical Fire Hazard
From damaged wiring to machinery that’s running hot, there are all sorts of signs that indicate an increased risk of an electrical fire occurring. If you (or anyone else in the workplace) notice any of the following issues, we recommend shutting off the power supply to the affected area and contacting a professional commercial electrician as soon as possible.
- Machinery overheating for no apparent reason.
- A burning smell.
- Discolouration (typically blackening or yellowing) around power sockets.
- Machinery only working intermittently.
- Any odd sounds coming from the wiring or electrical components. This includes whining, whirring, snapping or humming.
Any of these signs could indicate a potentially dangerous problem with the electricity supply that could result in an electrical fire.
There are a number of ways to minimise electrical fire risk in your workplace in the Hills District. These include:
- Regular inspection and maintenance of electrical equipment and wiring, paying particular attention to frayed cables.
- Keep appliances in good, operational condition.
- Make sure appliances have the correct fuse.
- Extension cables should only be used on a temporary basis and never overloaded.
- Electrical equipment that’s not in use should be unplugged.
Intermittent Operation Of Lights Or Other Electrical Equipment
Once a machine, light bulb or other electrical appliance is plugged in and switched on, it should operate continuously until switched off.
If a machine works intermittently, or powers up and down spontaneously, it’s likely that there is some sort of electrical problem. Similarly, if lights flicker once they’re switched on, this is a good indication that there’s some sort of unwanted interruption in the power supply.
Some of the possible causes of an intermittent power supply include:
- Problems with the circuit breaker.
- Possible overloading of the wiring.
- Outdated wiring.
- Loose components.
- Problems with switches.
Leaving a machine operating intermittently increases the risk of damage to the components, as well as the possibility of the machine shorting out, potentially triggering a blackout over a wider area.
Blown Fuses
Because fuses are checked regularly in the workplace as part of the program of scheduled maintenance, it’s unlikely that a blown fuse is just “one of those things”. Some of the possible causes of a blown fuse include:
- Damaged wiring.
- Arcing issues.
- An overloaded circuit.
- A build-up of moisture somewhere in the electrical system.
- A fault with the power socket.
- There is an underlying issue with the electrical system which means that an upgrade is needed.
- The wrong type of fuse has been fitted.
It’s important to discover the reason for the blown fuse, as simply replacing the fuse may mean it will just blow again. Blown fuses disrupt your operation, potentially reducing profitability and can be dangerous if overlooked.
Damage Due To Weather
Fires, floods and high winds are serious issues that can create significant electrical hazards. If your commercial premises have been affected by any of these disasters, we recommend switching off the power supply and calling a professional commercial electrician as a matter of urgency.
Water and electricity are a bad mix, whilst fire can seriously damage wiring and other elements of the electrical system. A commercial electrician can assess the extent of the damage, as well as complete the repairs required for the power to be safely restored.
Machinery Or Appliances Working Inefficiently
Are you noticing that your energy bills are increasing, with no increase in activity or productivity? Perhaps a machine doesn’t deliver its usual output, despite the settings indicating that optimal performance should be taking place. If you notice that your electrical appliances aren’t delivering the outputs you want, a commercial electrician can likely help.
In some cases, rising inefficiency may be due to an outdated appliance or wiring that needs to be upgraded to comply with modern requirements. If a machine is using more energy than it should, it could need routine maintenance.
Unfortunately, an increase in power usage without good reason could also be a sign of an electrical hazard – your commercial electrician will swiftly work out the cause of the problem. Don’t leave your workplace safety to chance- contact expert commercial electricians in Castle Hill today.
