By Mark Asselin, President, Performance Electrical Contracting
Electrical issues in commercial buildings don’t always start with sparks and outages — but the warning signs are usually there. Ignoring them can lead to safety hazards, costly downtime, or even code violations that affect your business operations.
Here are five red flags that signal it’s time to call a licensed electrical contractor like PEC right away:
- Flickering or Dimming Lights
If lights in your facility flicker, dim, or buzz — especially under load — you’re likely dealing with overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or aging ballasts. In warehouses, offices, and multifamily complexes, this can disrupt tenants and indicate a deeper power distribution issue that needs prompt diagnosis.
- Frequent Breaker Trips or Blown Fuses
Tripping breakers are meant to protect your building — but frequent trips are a sign your system is either overloaded or malfunctioning. These events can be frustrating, dangerous, and even damaging to sensitive equipment. Letting a qualified electrician assess the root cause early can prevent larger failures later.
- Unusual Odors or Heat from Panels or Outlets
A burning smell, hot outlets, or discoloration around switches should never be ignored. These symptoms may point to faulty connections or internal arcing — a serious fire hazard in any commercial setting. Immediate inspection and remediation are critical to maintaining safety.
- Buzzing Sounds from Electrical Components
Electricity should be silent. Humming or buzzing sounds from panels, transformers, or outlets could suggest loose connections, failing breakers, or grounding issues. It may start small, but left unaddressed, it could escalate into equipment failure or personal safety risks.
- Outdated Panels or Wiring
If your building still uses older panels, knob-and-tube wiring, or lacks GFCI/AFCI protection, it’s time for an upgrade. Outdated infrastructure isn’t just inefficient — it may not meet code or insurance requirements and can increase liability exposure.
Don’t Wait Until It’s an Emergency
At PEC, we know how critical reliable power is to your operations. Our licensed electricians are trained to identify and resolve issues before they become major problems — whether in retail, hospitality, multifamily, or infrastructure environments.
If you’re noticing any of these signs, don’t wait. Contact PEC for a safety inspection or service call. Call (904) 726-7966 or visit pecjax.com to schedule your electrical evaluation today.
