Your business’ electrical panel handles all your facility’s electricity demands. To minimize safety risks, especially fire, it’s important for the panel to be up-to-date. If your panel is showing signs of not being able to keep up with your current needs, it’s time to avoid serious damage and potential injury by looking into electrical panel upgrades in Santa Rosa.
Commercial Panel Upgrades in Santa Rosa
Rapid advances in modern technology have left many Santa Rosa businesses operating with insufficient electrical wiring. Upgrades to the panel can be made for both functional and financial reasons.
Commercial electrical panels are complex, and installation and maintenance should be handled by a licensed commercial electrician to ensure:
- The panel is the right size to meet your business’ needs.
- You obtain the necessary permits and approvals for upgrading.
- Wiring is installed in compliance with local, state, and federal codes (which frequently change).
- Existing wiring is inspected, repaired, or replaced when necessary.
- The latest high-quality materials and equipment are used, including what’s needed to guarantee proper grounding.
It’s also important that the commercial electrician you hire has a thorough understanding of the equipment that’s being installed, including the schematic and all switches and functions.
Key Warning Signs
If you’ve recently replaced old equipment with newer versions, or if your building was built before 1980, there’s a good chance your electrical panel is using outdated technology. That’s because most buildings designed before then had lower electricity demands. Of course, just because the panel is old doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced or upgraded but here are some visible signs to look for.
- The biggest motivator for upgrading an electrical panel is when it’s not generating enough power for everything you need to run at the same time.
- Flickering lights, humming or “fizzing” sounds, and/or melted electrical wires.
- Constantly tripping breakers, frequently blown fuses, and/or defective circuit breakers.
Other clues are when you can no longer read the labeling on breakers or if there are burn marks or signs of corrosion inside the panel’s housing. Finally, excessive heat coming from the panel is a definite sign that all is not well.
Keep in mind that commercial electrical panels are now required by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to have what’s known as a “dead front.” This prevents electrical shocks from harming people on the operating side of equipment.
Replacing Outdated Electrical Panels
If your business is still using a fuse box it’s likely you’re not getting the power you need to run a modern business. You may also find it more difficult to obtain insurance coverage if you still rely on an outdated system. Spyrka Electric provides a host of upgrading services including new circuit breaker installation, main panel installation for new construction, and sub panels. We also offer on-call commercial electrical services.
Electrical Panel Upgrades in Santa Rosa
If your business is housed in an aging building, or you’re concerned the building’s electrical needs are not being safely met, the pros at Spyrka Electric can install a new or upgrade an existing electrical panel that protects your employees and property from serious risk and harm while preventing electrical issues common with older panels.
To learn more about electrical panel upgrades in Santa Rosa or to schedule an appointment to assess your business’ electrical needs, contact us by phone, email, or online today.
