Reliable commercial building electrical infrastructure can increase resilience and ensure occupants have their power needs met.

Upgrading systems can be an extensive task, but it is often necessary to meet current or future goals. Additionally, there are some clear indicators that it is time to schedule those sooner rather than later.

1. Dissatisfied Residents or Employees

Most people want the buildings where they live or work to have electrical infrastructure that matches their needs. If a school, hospital, apartment complex or other commercial building cannot cope with current or anticipated demands, those who occupy it may raise complaints. That is particularly likely if an insufficient system results in delays or outages.

When Australians took their 2022 Christmas holidays, some queued for 90 minutes to recharge their electric vehicles. Those backups prompted some to suggest adopting a data-driven approach to see which areas urgently need more charging infrastructure.

Some of these upgrades could involve businesses since experts say petrol stations are ideal places to add more chargers. If office buildings and apartment complexes have them, too, the people who work or live there could incorporate EV charging naturally into their daily routines rather than finding public recharge points.

2. Suspected Commercial Building Electrical Faults

Tripping circuit breakers, flickering lights and buzzing sounds are all telltale signs of potential electrical problems that need urgent attention. Electrical fires can destroy buildings and disrupt or permanently close businesses. Some of these blazes are so severe that they spread beyond the structure where the flames started.

Hiring an electrician to complete a building audit is the wisest way to prevent these catastrophic and costly outcomes. Another possibility is to use connected sensors that can alert building managers or other authorities to unusual statistics, such as if an energy bill is suddenly much higher than usual. Faulty wiring can cause this and could tip someone off to a potential problem sooner.

Additionally, if your building recently dealt with a rodent problem, there may be hidden electrical issues to tackle. Mice chew on insulation, leaving exposed and active wires. Fire risks increase when those are too close to a building’s wood and walls.

3. Abnormal Electrical Equipment Tests Results

Creating a solid maintenance plan for your electrical equipment is an excellent way to notice abnormalities before it is too late. Always follow the manufacturer’s guidance for your building’s electrical equipment and schedule periodic inspections from qualified professionals.

The results of specialised tests can also determine if a building’s electrical infrastructure needs urgent attention. For example, running a dissolved gas analysis is an important predictive maintenance step for a transformer. Results that show hydrogen amounts of more than 100 parts per million can occur because of rust or thermal faults. Alternatively, methane that appears in the dissolved gas analysis can indicate the transformer has been overheating.

Abnormal test results can become excellent opportunities to do a careful audit and determine if upgrading electrical systems is a goal to plan for soon. If the infrastructure needs a significant overhaul, decide which aspects to tackle first and set an overall budget. Creating that foundation makes it easier to proceed in the most cost-effective ways.

4. Misalignment Between Current Infrastructure and Sustainability Aims

Investments in commercial building electrical upgrades can also make sense when multiple decision-makers agree that the current setup does not support sustainability goals. The issue may be that executives want to install smart technologies to make automatic temperature and lighting adjustments, but upgrades must occur before that can happen.

Alternatively, perhaps leaders feel perpetually frustrated by how much energy the building uses each month. Replacing outdated wiring, swapping out traditional wall plugs for ones with energy-saving features, and using LED bulbs can all cut electricity bills and contribute to more sustainable operations. People having trouble deciding which electrical upgrades to do first should consider what peers have done and which results they got.

However, anyone attempting to take a DIY approach to save money while making a building more sustainable should ensure they understand the potential consequences. Permission to do electrical work yourself varies by country and may depend on the type of planned changes. Additionally, homeowners in Australia risk voiding their insurance policies by proceeding with these tasks. The safest bet is to hire professionals. Otherwise, spend enough time to understand the specifics applying to your area to ensure you stay within the law.

Upgrading Electrical Systems Requires a Strategic Approach

Although these four signs may make you realise it’s time to improve your building’s electrical infrastructure, that decision is only part of your responsibility. It is also necessary to plan details such as the overall work duration, whether the upgrades will require closures, how many people you must hire to complete them and which vendors you will work with to purchase the desired products.

Additionally, after completing the upgrades, establish a best practice-based plan for maintenance and repairs. That step will ensure that the enhanced electrical system performs well for at least as long as its expected life span.

Emily Newton is Editor in Chief at Revolutionised

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