Most electrical problems in a commercial building show you some type of warning before they turn into an outage, damage a piece of equipment, or cause a fire. The trouble is that many of these warnings are easy to attribute to something else. A light that flickers every now or then or a breaker that has to be reset every couple of months might not seem like a concerning issue, especially when you have a million other things to focus on.
As a business owner, it’s important to keep an eye out for small electrical problems, as they often point to bigger issues inside the walls or the panel. If you recognize any of these six signs, schedule an inspection with a commercial electrician.
1. Flickering or Dimming Lights
An occasional flicker from a single fixture typically means that a bulb or ballast is wearing out. All this requires is a simple bulb replacement. But if lights dim when equipment goes on, or flickering happens across multiple parts of your building, it could mean that the circuits are overloaded or that connections are loose somewhere in the system. Loose connections generate heat, and that heat can damage wiring over time.
2. Breakers That Trip Again and Again
Tripping breakers do their jobs by cutting power before a circuit overheats. A breaker that trips frequently is telling you that something is wrong. In many cases, the circuit is carrying more load than it was designed for, such as when an office has added equipment over the years without updating their electrical system. A breaker that trips repeatedly can also point to a short circuit, a ground fault, or a breaker that’s worn out. Resetting it and moving on doesn’t address the underlying issue.
3. Warm Panels, Outlets, or Switch Plates
Electrical panels, outlets, and switches should not feel warm to the touch. Heat is a sign of resistance, which can come from things like loose wiring, overloaded circuits, or failing components. Discoloration around an outlet is another sign to watch for, as it can mean that heat has been building up for a long time.
4. Burning Smells or Scorch Marks
Any type of burning or hot plastic smell without an obvious source should be investigated. This could mean that wire insulation is overheating or melting somewhere in the system. If you notice this smell, shut off power to the affected area right away, if you can do so safely. Call an electrician for immediate dispatch. Any scorch marks on outlets, cords, or panel components also warrant the same urgency.
5. Buzzing, Crackling, or Humming Sounds
Your electrical system should be nearly silent. If you hear buzzing from an outlet, crackling from inside the wall, or a louder-than-usual hum from your panel, this could mean that you’re dealing with loose connections or arcing, where electricity jumps across a gap. Arcing is serious, as it produces intense heat and is a leading cause of electrical fires.
6. Power Strips and Extension Cords Everywhere
If your team relies on daisy-chained power strips and extension cords to keep everything running, your building probably doesn’t have enough outlets or circuits for how you use it today. This is especially common in older buildings around Denver that were wired decades ago for a very different workload. Temporary fixes like these can overload circuits and create tripping hazards, and they’re a clear sign it’s time to talk about adding circuits or upgrading service.
Don’t Wait for a Shutdown
It’s tempting to put off electrical repairs until something actually stops working. The problem is that “stops working” can mean an unexpected outage in the middle of your busiest day, a ruined piece of expensive equipment, or a safety hazard for your employees and customers. Fixing a loose connection or rebalancing a circuit is far less disruptive than dealing with the damage afterward.
Regular preventative maintenance helps you catch many of these problems before they show symptoms at all. An electrician can inspect your panels, test connections, and spot wear that isn’t visible during day-to-day operations.
Keep Your Business Running Safely
MV Power Solutions’ Service Division helps businesses across the Denver metro area and throughout Colorado with troubleshooting, repairs, and preventative maintenance. Whether you’re dealing with a nagging breaker or a smell you can’t explain, our team will find the cause and get your system back on track.
Noticed one of these warning signs? Submit a service request or call MV Power Solutions at (720) 287-2305 to schedule an inspection.