Electrical problems rarely announce themselves clearly. More often, they show up as small inconveniences—a breaker that trips every few weeks, a light that flickers occasionally, an outlet that feels slightly warm to the touch. Easy to ignore. Until they're not.
For commercial property owners and facility managers, staying ahead of electrical issues isn't just about convenience. It's about safety, code compliance, and protecting the operations that depend on a reliable power supply.
Here are five signs your commercial property may be due for an electrical upgrade.
1. Your Breakers Trip Frequently
A breaker that trips once in a while is doing its job. A breaker that trips regularly—especially under normal operating conditions—is telling you something. It typically means the circuit is drawing more power than it was designed to handle, or the breaker itself is failing.
In a commercial environment, where equipment, HVAC systems, lighting, and technology all run simultaneously, an overloaded electrical panel is a real risk. Repeated tripping can also indicate wiring that's deteriorating internally—a hazard that isn't visible without a professional inspection.
2. You're Experiencing Flickering or Dimming Lights
Flickering lights in a commercial facility are more than an annoyance. They can signal loose wiring connections, overloaded circuits, or voltage fluctuations—all of which put stress on your electrical system and the equipment connected to it.
If the flickering is localized to one area, it may be a fixture or circuit issue. If it's happening facility-wide, the problem is likely at the panel level.
3. Your Electrical Panel Is More Than 25 Years Old
Commercial electrical panels have a finite lifespan. A panel that was installed in the 1990s or earlier was designed for the power demands of that era—not the demands of modern HVAC systems, commercial kitchen equipment, server infrastructure, or EV chargers.
If your facility has expanded its operations, added new equipment, or undergone renovation without a corresponding electrical upgrade, there's a good chance your panel is running close to—or beyond—its intended capacity.
4. You're Adding New Equipment or Expanding Operations
Any time you introduce high-draw equipment—a commercial refrigeration unit, an industrial HVAC system, new manufacturing equipment, or charging infrastructure for electric vehicles—your electrical system needs to be evaluated first.
Adding load to a system that's already near capacity doesn't just risk tripped breakers. It can cause overheating, arc faults, and in worst-case scenarios, electrical fires.
5. You Notice Physical Warning Signs
These should be treated as immediate red flags:
- Warm or discolored outlet covers or switch plates
- A burning smell from the panel, outlets, or wiring
- Visible scorch marks or blackening around outlets or panels
- Buzzing or crackling sounds from electrical components
Any of these symptoms warrant an immediate call to a licensed electrician. They are not symptoms to monitor and revisit—they require attention now.
What an Electrical Assessment Includes
When LMS performs an electrical assessment for a commercial property, we look at the full picture: panel condition and capacity, wiring age and type, circuit loading, grounding, and compliance with current codes. We then give you a clear, written report of what we found and what we recommend—with no pressure to decide on the spot.
If your commercial property is showing any of these signs, contact LMS Lighting, Electrical & Signs at (801) 281-0401 or visit lmsles.com. Free assessments available for commercial properties across the Wasatch Front.