Signs your commercial electrical system needs attention
The warning signs that a commercial electrical installation needs checking, and what to do if you spot them.
Quick answer: Regular tripping, flickering lights, warm or discoloured sockets, burning smells, old fuse boards and an overdue EICR are all signs it's time to get your electrics checked.
Signs to look out for
- Breakers or RCDs that keep tripping: often a sign of overloaded circuits or a fault somewhere on the system.
- Flickering or dimming lights: can point to loose connections or problems with the supply.
- Warm, buzzing or discoloured sockets and switches: these need looking at quickly.
- A burning smell: switch off what you can safely and get it checked straight away.
- Old distribution boards: older boards may not offer the protection modern installations have.
- Lots of extension leads: usually a sign the building doesn't have enough sockets for how it's used now.
Check when it was last tested
If you can't find a recent Electrical Installation Condition Report, that's a sign in itself. Periodic testing picks up many problems before anyone notices them.
What to do next
Don't ignore small signs. Note what's happening, where and when, and get a qualified electrician to investigate. In many cases the fix is straightforward. Leaving it can turn a small repair into a bigger, more disruptive job.
Need a hand?
EMS is a NAPIT registered commercial contractor working across London and the UK. Get a free quote and we'll come back to you quickly.
Related service: Testing & Compliance
