Maxing Out Your Commercial Electrical Panel
Running a successful business doesn’t leave room for disruptions to its operations, such as losing work time due to a tripped breaker. Yet, expanding businesses often place higher demands on their electrical systems than they can handle.
Once a commercial electrical panel begins running out of space, you could face serious safety risks such as increased chances of fires and shocks. An overloaded panel can also slow production time to a halt, which impacts revenue and customer satisfaction. Conducting periodic load assessments can help you find out if your company needs electrical panel upgrades that support long-term business growth.
Quick Takeaways
- A commercial electricity panel that is too full prevents you from being able to add circuits or new equipment safely.
- Overloaded circuits, tripped breakers and flickering lights are warning signs you need a panel upgrade.
- Ignoring the panel’s capacity increases fire risks and can damage equipment.
- Professional load assessments identify the best solutions for meeting current and future demand.
- A panel upgrade helps to improve code compliance and safety in the workplace.
What Is the Importance of a Commercial Electrical Panel?
A commercial panel serves as the control center for the flow of electricity throughout a building. The panel also protects circuits with breakers that will shut off the electrical flow when they detect signs of overheating or too much voltage. A well-functioning panel helps to prevent overloads and electrical faults that can lead to fires and bodily injuries.
Having a panel with proper capacity is essential for safe and reliable business operations. Making sure that the panel’s maximum electrical load can support all of your company’s operational needs further helps to support future expansion without causing disruptions.
Watch for These Signs Your Commercial Electrical Panel Is Low On Space
Paying attention to the following signs that your business’s electric panel is running out of space helps you avoid major issues that impact your company’s operations.
Running Out of Available Breaker Slots
Seeing that the panel is completely full is a sure sign that you’re going to need an upgrade if you expand your business in the future. At this point, there is no room for additional circuits to support growing electrical needs.
Experiencing Frequent Breaker Trips
Discovering that one or more outlets are no longer working means that the circuits are being overloaded. This is usually a clear sign that the growing electrical demand at your company is exceeding the panel’s capacity.
Being Forced to Overly Rely On Extension Cords and Power Strips
Putting too many electrical appliances on an extension cord or power strip can lead to overloaded circuits. Although using a power strip can sometimes work as a temporary fix, you’ll need to work with an electrician to find permanent solutions to increase capacity.
Dealing With Flickering Lights and Frequent Power Disruptions
A well-lit workplace is essential for safety and injury prevention. Flickering lights are a sign of voltage instability that is often linked to overloaded circuits.
Planning a Business Expansion
Being proactive as you plan a business expansion can prevent having your best plans disrupted by insufficient electrical capacity. Our team can help your business add a panel or circuits that support new workstations, additional machines and HVAC upgrades.
Understand Your Options for Addressing a Full Commercial Panel
Professional electricians have several solutions they can offer commercial businesses to increase capacity and prevent electrical issues.
During a professional load assessment, an electrician can evaluate your company’s current electrical usage to see if it is exceeding the panel’s capacity. We’ll also discuss your company’s plans for future growth to determine if your business could benefit from a solution that provides enough power for the forecasted demand.
Once we understand your company’s current setup and future needs, we’ll offer solutions that range from adding new circuits to installing a subpanel or a new panel upgrade.
Know When to Call a Commercial Electrician
As the owner or property manager of a commercial business, you’ll find it helpful to call an electrician when your business experiences the following events that signal a potential need to upgrade the panel.
- Making plans to install new equipment or machinery
- Planning significant building renovations
- Dealing with power disruptions or flickering lights
- Noticing clear signs of an aging panel or one with no more capacity
- Realizing it’s time for a routine inspection or load assessment
FAQs
Time is valuable when you’re running a business, which is why we want you to know these answers to the questions we commonly hear about commercial electric panel upgrades.
How can I know if my commercial electric panel is really running out of space?
You can notice signs that include having no more slots for breakers, dealing with frequent breaker trips and needing to rely on extension cords and power strips.
Can I just add more breakers to my electrical panel when it’s full?
An electrician can sometimes install tandem breakers on panels that are meant to have them, but you will likely need to plan to install a subpanel or do a complete panel upgrade.
What is the different between a main panel upgrade and adding a subpanel?
A subpanel is an option that adds more circuit space to power specific equipment or areas in the building. A main panel upgrade impacts the overall electrical capacity of the entire building.
Will an overloaded panel damage my business equipment?
Yes, an overloaded panel can create voltage fluctuations and power inconsistencies that could shorten the lifespan of sensitive industrial equipment, computers and other electronic appliances.
Does upgrading a commercial electrical panel provide a good ROI?
Yes, doing a panel upgrade can bring a high ROI by reducing downtime, supporting business expansion and preventing costly safety hazards.
Schedule a Load Assessment to Keep Your Business Running Smoothly
Having your business run out of space on the electrical panel can cause costly disruptions and prohibit further growth. Don’t put up with any malarky, call Mister Sparky. Our commercial electricians provide load assessments, panel upgrades and other essential electrical services to businesses in Birmingham, AL, and the nearby communities. Give us a call today!
