Problems with appliances and machinery can be extremely disruptive and cost companies thousands of dollars per day. The best way to resolve issues is to call a qualified electrician who has a lot of experience troubleshooting electrical problems. Because electricity can be dangerous, individuals who haven’t been properly trained shouldn’t attempt to fix issues on their own.

Troubleshooting Electrical Problems in Appliances and Machinery 

Problems with appliances and machinery need to be resolved as quickly as possible. Studies have shown that the average company loses over $300,000 per hour during a power outage. That’s why time is of the essence. As soon as you notice that your power is down, check whether the issue is limited to your company or whether it’s affecting the wider area.

Then, determine which appliances and machines are affected. Sometimes, you might be able to resolve the problem by flipping a circuit breaker switch. However, most electrical issues are more complex than this. Don’t hesitate to call a professional electrician. At Legacy Electrical, we can get your company up and running again in no time.  

Check with Your Neighbors

When your appliances or machines stop working, the first thing you should do is figure out whether there is a problem in your area. If you work in a building you share with other companies, speak to your neighbors and ask them whether they’re experiencing the same issues. You can also check websites like PowerOutage.us to learn more about local electrical issues.

If there is a problem with the power in your area, there isn’t much you can do because the issue isn’t related to your own electrical system. Reach out to your electricity provider and ask them what they’re doing to fix it. You might also be able to sign up to text or email alerts, so you can get updates about the outage.

Check All Your Systems

If there are no issues in your area, the problem is likely related to your own electrical system. The next step is to check how many of your systems are down.

Have all your machines and appliances stopped working? Have the lights gone out? In this case, you’re suffering from a general power outage. If only one or two pieces of equipment are down, there could be a problem with your machines instead of the whole system. It’s important to know which aspects of your company are affected because this will help your electrician to identify the problem more quickly.

Check the Main Panel 

Some of the most common causes of electrical issues are an overloaded circuit and a short circuit. You might have caused these problems by using too many electrical appliances at once or using machines that draw a lot of current. When this happens, circuit breakers automatically shut off your power supply to protect you and the other occupants of the building.

This problem is easily resolved. You simply go to your main panel and press the “reset” button or flip the circuit breaker switch back on. It’s important to note that circuit breakers that have tripped aren’t always in the “off” position. Sometimes, they are somewhere in between “off” and “on,” so you have to look closely.

Wait to See If the Problem Recurs

When a circuit breaker trips for the first time, you don’t necessarily need to call an electrician. This can happen occasionally, and it isn’t a serious issue, as long as it doesn’t become a regular occurrence. If your circuit breaker shuts off your power supply several times a week, there might be an ongoing problem with your electrical system. In this case, reach out to an electrician and ask them to inspect your building.

Call a Qualified Electrician 

Sometimes, electrical issues are caused by faulty wiring or damaged parts. Unless you’re a qualified electrician, it isn’t safe for you to handle these problems on your own. Instead, call a professional, who can diagnose the problem and let you know how to fix it. Good electricians have years of experience troubleshooting electrical problems. They can get most systems up and running again within a few minutes or hours.

Can Regular Maintenance Prevent Electrical Problems?

Companies that rely heavily on electrical systems need to schedule maintenance appointments at least once a year. If the electrical system is old, maintenance work has to be performed once every three to six months. Many electrical companies offer affordable, subscription-based maintenance plans. In exchange for a small fee, they periodically visit businesses and test the electrical system.

The maintenance session includes regular tests and small repairs. Larger issues can be diagnosed, but they can’t be fixed during the routine appointment. If the electricians detect a major problem, they let the company owners know and provide them with a quote. Once this has been accepted, the electrical contractors schedule an additional appointment to carry out the necessary repairs.

Additional Benefits of a Regular Maintenance Plan 

Aside from preventing electrical issues and keeping your system in good shape, a regular maintenance plan also helps you to remain compliant. The laws related to electrical systems change frequently, and keeping up to date can be challenging. Our electricians are the first to know about changes, and they can make sure that your system is fully compliant with local laws.

Do I Need a New Electrical System? 

If you’ve been experiencing frequent electrical issues, you might need to get a new system installed because your current one could be overloaded. At Legacy Electric, we frequently install dedicated equipment circuits. They provide power to a single machine or appliance that uses a lot of electricity. When a dedicated circuit is installed, the piece of equipment can be used without impacting the rest of the system.

Don’t put off upgrading your electrical system. The more frequently your breaker trips, the bigger the risk that it eventually fails. This could lead to a serious accident or even an electrical fire. The best way to prevent this is to reach out to us at Legacy Electric and ask us to evaluate your current electrical system. We’ll let you know whether you need a dedicated circuit.

Why Use Legacy Electric?  

There are many electrical companies out there, and finding the right one for your needs can be hard. Legacy Electric is a nationwide electrical service company, so we are the ideal choice for business owners who have branches in various states. Our founder, Shawn Lackey, is a multi-state master electrician with more than 15 years of experience in his field.

Aside from providing a competent service, we are also one of the most responsive companies. Because we are a large organization, we can offer assistance 24 hours a day. If you run into electrical issues, you can call us, no matter what the time is. We’ll dispatch the closest electrical contractor right away, so you don’t have to lose money while you wait for your electrician to arrive.

Troubleshooting electrical problems on your own can be frustrating, time-consuming, and even dangerous. Calling a qualified electrician is almost always the best way to solve issues with your electrical system. Reach out to us at Legacy Electric to find out more about our services or book your first appointment. We look forward to working with you.