As your business ages, your structure is going to need upgrades. Cosmetic upgrades like new doors, windows and floors are easy to notice. But when was the last time you thought about upgrading your electrical panel?
If your building was constructed decades ago, chances are that your electrical panel technology is outdated and is in need of an upgrade. There are several clues that can determine it’s time to upgrade your panel, but only professional commercial electricians know for sure.
Examining your panel
Taking a quick glance at your electrical panel can be enough to determine it’s time to call a commercial electrician in Comal County, TX. If the cover of your panel looks old and rusty, chances are you could use a replacement.
If it doesn’t look too old from the outside, open the cover. Are the labels on the inside barely legible? Over time the writing will fade making it hard to read when you need to flip a breaker. Old panels might also have burn marks. Burn marks not only mean it’s time for a replacement, but also that there is a potential risk of having a fire!
Warning signs
If you’re walking through your business and notice flickering lights, those might not just be bulbs that need to be replaced. Flickering lights can also be a sign of an electrical panel that’s ready for an upgrade.
Visual clues can determine if it’s time to call an electrician, but you might also hear things that don’t sound quite right. If you walk past your panel and hear fizzing or humming sounds, that could mean it’s time to call a commercial electrician in Comal County, TX. When it comes to electrical panels, a quieter box is a safer box.
Finally, if you touch your panel and it’s hot, call an electrician immediately. A hot panel is a surefire way to start an electrical fire. Even if you have insurance, nothing can shut your business down faster than a fire.
If you think it’s time to upgrade your commercial electrical panel, don’t even consider trying to do it yourself. Only certified commercial electricians are capable of handling your upgrade. After calling a commercial electrician, he or she will take it from there. Once they offer you a quote, they should be able to start work immediately to ensure minimal electric down time at your business.
It’s time for a new panel
There are several ways you can easily determine if it’s time to upgrade your commercial electrical panel. If your panel simply looks old, it may be time to lay it to rest and have a new one installed. Flickering lights in your establishment might also mean your panel is nearing the end of its life. Strange noises like a fizzing or humming sound are audible clues that can mean it’s time to call a commercial electrician. A hot panel can lead to a fire and is one of the most obvious signs that your panel is actually endangering your business. At Lowry Electrical, we’re available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to inspect and replace your panel if needed. Call us today at (830) 237-6219