Commercial property electrical troubleshooting and repair is an important part of regular upkeep and knowing the proper electrical troubleshooting tips for industrial businesses can help you locate issues before they become more severe.

Troubleshooting Tips

• Gather Information: When you detect an electrical issue, the first step is to start gathering useful information. Record how electrical issues are affecting your equipment and production, talk to your employees and see how it is impacting daily activities, and check to see how long this issue has been occurring. The more information you have, the easier it is to isolate the cause of your electrical problems.
• Pinpoint the Issue When You Can: Once you’ve done your initial research, the next step is to isolate the cause of your electrical problem. Finding the exact cause can often only be performed by a professional, but you may still be able to narrow down potential areas of concern. Look for easily detected problems such as visually damaged wiring or outlets. Also, knowing what part of your business location is having electrical problems can, in some cases, isolate the general area where the problem is originating from.
• Hire a Licensed Professional as Soon as Possible: Unless you are an electrician and have experience in the field, you should contact a professional as soon as possible. A licensed professional ensures the work is done both properly and safely. This allows you to have the problem fixed while reducing the chance of any additional problems or delays.

Common Issues

• A Lack of Power: In some industries, a lot of power is a must due to equipment needs. A lack of power is not a repair problem, but it is a sign your electrical system needs updating so you can work at maximum efficiency. Power outages can also be a sign that your electrical grid needs updates.
• Faulty Outlets: Sparks and other problems with your electrical outlets can be caused by various underlying issues including a lack of power and faulty wiring. A professional can detect the exact cause.
• Flickering Lights: Your lighting being unreliable is another common electrical issue. This can make daily work tasks difficult and also create a bad impression if your business is customer-facing. As lighting issues can have a variety of causes, a professional will be needed to conclude what repairs are needed.

If you’ve detected any electrical issues you shouldn’t wait to call a professional. By reaching out to a pro, you prevent possible additional damage from occurring, address current issues, and can get back to work.

A nuisance tripping AFCI is a frequent problem. It could also be a sign of something worse going on. Read on to find out how to prevent this nuisance tripping.

Wiring problems

There are a couple of common wiring issues that could result in nuisance tripping. When AFCI circuit breakers are installed, the wiring needs to be done a bit differently, but it was common for electrical technicians to install them the same way. At the time of installation, it would appear to be fine, but down the line, improper wiring will cause nuisance tripping AFCI.

Another potential issue is related to incompatibility with multi-wire circuits. A licensed professional technician will be able to get to the root of the problem and identify a solution.

Circuit overloads

This is a leading cause for circuit board tripping. When the draw on electricity exceeds the actual capacity of the circuit, then the circuit breaker will trip. For example, if you’re trying to use a waffle maker, a coffee maker and a microwave in a kitchen, you might trip your circuit breaker. Also, old appliances tend to have higher power draws that could cause the circuit to overload. Watch out—overloading the circuits can be dangerous if not addressed.

Frayed wires

If you’re having consistent problems with nuisance tripping, it’s a smart idea to check all your wires. Wires aren’t immune to wear and tear, so check them frequently. Frayed, damaged or melted wires often lead to circuits tripping and can create very hazardous conditions.

Arc fault

AFCI breakers are a relatively recent addition to the country’s electrical codes. These breakers will trip whenever an electrical spark or arc is found in a wire. Arcs occur in the early stages of an electrical issue. This means the AFCI breakers will shut down the circuit before degradation leads to a dangerous situation. AFCI technology has been required on new construction since 1999.

Incompatible devices

An AFCI prevents electrical fires via detecting electrical arcs and tries to differentiate normal arcs from those that could cause a fire. But this isn’t quite perfect—there are some devices that the AFCI board may think are dangerous that are actually fine. Some devices that are common problems in compatibility with AFCI are TVs, fluorescent lights and treadmills.

We hope this guide on how to prevent nuisance tripping is helpful. Are you looking for a high-quality electrical contractor? Turn to the licensed professionals at Ham’s Electric Inc. For more than three decades, we’ve provided electrical services to our loyal customers, and we offer 24-hour emergency services to keep your facility’s electrical supply flowing. Contact us today to learn more about our services.

Contact your power company

The easiest way to detect inaccuracies is to call your power supplier. After all, it’s also in their best interest that you’re being billed accurately. They’ll send out a technician to inspect your meter to see if it’s actually inaccurate and make any necessary adjustments.

Perform a self-test

You can perform a test on your own by turning off all of your appliances and then reading the meter. Take a note of the reading and then plug in an appliance that uses a lot of electricity. Read your appliance’s label to see what the wattage is. After waiting a while, go back and check your electric meter.

Subtract the first reading from the second and compare it to the wattage used by your plugged-in appliance. The difference between the two readings should be equal to the wattage consumed by your appliance, with a 5-percent variation possible.

Use a multimeter

A utility multimeter is a tool specifically designed to test the accuracy of your electrical meter. You can buy one of these devices for less than $15 online, and they’re simple to use and understand.

All you need to do is follow the manufacturer’s instructions for attaching the multimeter to your electrical meter and read the display. Make a note of the reading and wait for an hour. Go back and read the number on your meter and compare it to the multimeter’s results. If your meter is accurate, the numbers should be equal or at least within a 5-percent range of each other.

Call an independent tester

Call an independent electric company if you don’t trust your power company or don’t want to perform the test yourself. The electrician will come out and inspect your meter for you. Although this isn’t free, having an inspection will pay for itself due to energy savings.

Install a power monitoring system

If you always want to know how much power you’re consuming and which devices are using the most power, consider installing a power monitoring system. These give in-depth analysis for power consumption, helping you accurately predict your monthly energy bill. A power monitoring system can also alert you if an electrical device is using up more electricity than it should, which may indicate failure.

What can we do for you?

At Ham’s Electric, Inc., we’re your go-to team for all things related to power monitoring. We can perform a full analysis of your power system and install a high-quality power monitoring system, so you’ll always know how much power you’re using and save money each month. Give us a call today to schedule a consultation.

Step 1: Information gathering

The first thing you should do if you experience an electrical problem is to gather information about the issue. Consider how all of the equipment involved should operate normally and how it is operating currently. Look for any technical documentation that may provide helpful information. Lastly, determine if this same issue has occurred in the past and if anyone is available who might be familiar with the problem.

Step 2: Understanding the malfunction

Get more specific about the particular malfunction of the equipment. How is the equipment supposed to work? Which components are not functioning properly? This will help narrow down the problem.

Step 3: Parameter identification and evaluation

The next step involves identifying which parameters can be measured and using those measurements to identify what is out of normal range. For example, could you take temperature readings that would provide helpful insight? Perhaps you can take a voltage reading to determine if the voltage levels are out of acceptable range.

Step 4: Source identification

Use all available tools and data to identify the source of the problem. Determine which component is causing the issue by isolating various components and evaluating their performance.

Step 5: Repairs

Once the problem component is identified, make the necessary repairs or replacement. Consult with a professional electrician to safely perform this maintenance.

Step 6: Repair verification

After the repair has been completed, restart the system. Verify that it is operating properly. This test will reveal any further issues that may also be present. If the system does not perform as desired, restart the troubleshooting process to identify the additional problems in the system.

Step 7: Root cause analysis

This final step should be performed to prevent future problems. It involves determining the cause of the malfunction. Was machinery used improperly? Is the power supply insufficient for the application? Perform this analysis, then make any necessary adjustments to prevent further issues.

Bonus step: Professional expertise

At any point in the seven-step process, professional input is helpful. Do not hesitate to contact your local electrical experts to gain their insights into the issue. They have the knowledge, tools and experience to help with electrical troubleshooting for your unit in Upland, CA.

We’re here to help

For professional electrical troubleshooting for your unit in Upland, CA, contact the team at Ham’s Electric, Inc. We specialize in hospital systems, telecom installations, computer facilities, critical equipment installations, critical power systems and more. Our experienced technicians can quickly and efficiently troubleshoot any issues with your system and get you up and running again with reliable power. We offer installation, service, maintenance and 24-hour emergency service, so call us any time at 909-982-7344.

Here’s what happens if a transformer blows, and what to do if it happens near you in Upland, CA.

How transformers function

When a power plant generates electricity, it often does so in extremely large amounts. The electricity has to travel down power lines to get to homes and businesses—but the voltage is still too powerful to travel directly into the buildings. Transformers (drum-like objects mounted on or near electric poles) help step the voltage down so it can safely enter buildings.

Why transformers blow out

There are a number of different situations that could cause a transformer to blow:

• Lightning strikes: If lightning hits a transformer, that additional voltage will usually exceed the capacity a transformer is designed to handle. Some power companies will shut off their transformers when lightning occurs.
• Outdated transformers: Transformers usually only last 20 to 30 years. As their wiring deteriorates, they’re less able to handle the intense electrical demands, and as our need for electricity increases, they’re more prone to blowouts.
• Wiring problems: Even new wiring can suffer damage, corrosion or poor installation. Like outdated wiring, the transformer is unable to handle the electricity appropriately. It can blow and then need to be replaced.
• Power surges: Power surges will also put a bigger strain on a transformer, especially if other transformers in the area have already blown. You’re more likely to see a transformer blow if there are power surges occurring.
• Moisture: As you know, water and electricity do not mix. When moisture gets inside a transformer box, it can cause the transformer to blow.
• Critters and foreign objects: Finally, insects, rodents and foreign objects can sometimes make their way into transformer boxes, which will cause them to fail.

What to do if a transformer blows

If a transformer near you has blown out, be sure you stay away, and keep your family (especially children or pets) away, too. Transformers and any downed power lines can be extremely dangerous.

After you verify the blown transformer’s location, call your power company right away. Go back inside your building and use either backup power generators or flashlights and candles to see. If you have refrigerators and freezers, try not to open them until after the power comes back on. Food can quickly thaw and spoil, so it’s best to keep your fridge and freezer interiors as cool as possible until the power can be restored.

Understanding why power transformers blow is useful, but knowing what to do if it happens is even more important in Upland, CA. Since blown-out transformers are hazardous, it’s important you stay safe and let the professionals handle it.

For essential electrical services, Ham’s Electric, Inc. can help. Call today to learn more.