Do you know the potential consequences of electrical mistakes in commercial buildings? If not, then it's about time that you find out. Many common mistakes can be made while working with electricity in commercial buildings. These mistakes can lead to fires and other disasters, which is why our professional electricians want to make sure that you avoid them on your next project. In this blog post, we will discuss seven of the most common electrical mistakes in commercial buildings so that you don't have to learn from trial and error!
- Not following National Electrical Code (NEC) guidelines
This is a big one that causes all sorts of problems. The National Electrical Code (NEC) sets the standards for electrical safety in homes and commercial buildings. Still, many people don't follow them properly when they create their wiring plans or install new circuits. This can lead to everything from fire hazards to overloading outlets with too much power.
The NEC establishes guidelines for building codes such as these:
- Wiring installation requirement - wire sizing ensures you have enough wire depending on how close your circuit might be running next to others and what kind of load it may need to carry!
- Grounding requirements - it is an essential part of any building's safe circuitry design. If your commercial electrician is not grounding wires correctly, there are severe risks like overloads or short circuits. Some features need to be grounded as well as other things. Make sure your plan includes grounding when necessary, so there aren't any mistakes later on.
- Circuit protection - the NEC states that all wire has to be adequately insulated, with materials like rubber, plastic, and porcelain; you can't just use metal wires without a protective coating!
- Miscalculating power load
Power load is the total amount of power that a building will be using at any given time. This can include everything from lights to appliances in your kitchen and office spaces. When your commercial electrician calculates this, consider how much power each appliance or light fixture on your list draws; if it requires more than 100 watts, it likely won't work with an ordinary outlet!
Miscalculating the power load in your building can lead to power shortages and brownouts, which can be a massive problem for all of your equipment. Ensure that you have the correct calculations done before ordering new equipment or installing additional circuits so that this doesn't happen!
- Improper grounding
Improper grounding can be a really big hazard. If your commercial electrician is not grounding wires correctly, there are severe risks like overloads or short circuits! It's important to know what an ideal transformer is because it can cause many problems if they aren't grounded properly. Transformers should be installed where the ground wire protects them from electric hazards and some insulation against direct contact with earth potential (since Earth has no unique electrical potential).
- Lack of proper insulation materials
Insulation may seem like a no-brainer, but it's an essential aspect of maintaining your commercial building that many businesses often neglect. Insulating is especially crucial in areas with high-temperature ranges because the insulation helps to regulate heat and keep moisture levels down.
There are a variety of materials you could use to insulate wire and cable runs, but the ones that should be your top priorities include:
- Bubble wrap insulation can protect up to 600 volts. This is great for lower voltages because it's not conducive. It can also stop minor leaks before they lead to significant disasters if appropriately used.
- Polyurethane foam - handles higher temperatures without conducting electricity well; good protection from moisture vapor penetration but doesn't handle short circuits very well, which is why using two layers of polyurethane foam is the best option.
- Mineral wool blankets or batts protect from heat without conducting electricity at all!
- Fiberglass - handles high-temperature ranges; doesn't handle moisture very well, but does offer some electrical protection.
It might seem like this wouldn't matter so much in such an environment as long as everything stays dry. But remember that when your equipment gets wet, even with what seems like a bit of water, it could cause an electrical fire.
Remember to account for the temperature range within your building and monitor humidity levels to choose insulation that will most effectively protect against moisture and electricity!
The last thing you want to do is install a type of insulation that's not appropriate for your particular building or area because it will just create more problems down the road. So make sure that you plan and get insulation installed correctly in order to protect against this costly mistake.
- Improper wiring techniques or circuitry design
Understanding the different types of wiring is essential for commercial buildings, and it's even more crucial to consider how that electrical wiring will be used in your building. With all of the technology we use today - from WiFi networks to interactive kiosks, screen displays, and modern appliances like refrigerators - improper wire techniques or circuitry design can create a fire hazard. It may seem cumbersome at first when you're trying to keep track of everything, but with diligent attention paid before installation or construction begins, these mistakes are easy to avoid!
- Insufficient safety features and precautions
It's critical to ensure that you've put your building up to code and have taken the necessary safety precautions when wiring, installing electrical equipment, or designing a circuitry plan. Inadequate safety features can lead to dangerous accidents such as shocks, electrocution, and fires - not only for people but also for animals! Designing safe buildings start with paying attention before construction begins.
You must include an emergency power system in your design and install a fire alarm compatible with smoke alarms. This is crucial to ensure resident safety and comply with building codes. Working from these precursors ensures not only compliance but also protects people on site from danger. As such, it's important not to go forward until all necessary precautions have been taken into consideration first.
- Poorly maintained equipment
A poorly maintained equipment is a safety hazard in any building, but when it comes to commercial buildings, there are even more reasons for concern. A faulty heating system or air conditioning unit can cause major problems – not only making the environment uncomfortable but also increasing the risk of electrical fires due to equipment malfunctioning and overloading wires and circuit breakers. These malfunctions should be prevented as much as possible by having routine maintenance checks done on all HVAC units at least once every six months. This is especially true if your facility uses gas-fired boilers, which may require annual inspections from an outside vendor specializing in this type of work.
This article has covered some common electrical mistakes that can put commercial buildings at risk. It is essential to keep in mind these guidelines when reviewing your own building's safety and to follow industry best practices for preventative maintenance of your electrical system.
Commercial Electrician in Manhattan
Hiring a trustworthy commercial electrician in Manhattan is another critical step for ensuring safety in commercial buildings. Make sure to hire someone who holds updated electrical licenses and has a proven track record of success as well as the skills needed for handling this type of installation work, which may include anything from installing new wiring or upgrading an old system.
Daven Electric Corp. is a local commercial and industrial electrical contractor in the NYC area for over 80 years, including projects ranging from small remodels to large-scale new construction projects. We are members of the Better Business Bureau with an A+ rating, and we offer high-quality electrical service when you need it most!
Call us today at (312) 555-1234 or email us at info@davenelectric.com.
