Dimming lights, buzzing outlets, and tripped breakers. These are all electrical worries that can interfere with business continuity. These seemingly minor issues can signal serious problems, jeopardizing your property, employees, and customers.
Don’t wait for a blackout!
Calling an emergency electrician can help eliminate safety risks, minimize downtime, and ensure your business continues to thrive. Take a minute and learn about when and why calling an electrical service professional is the best way to handle electrical worries.
We’ll start with several safety concerns that warrant an immediate call to an electrician.
When You See Sparks or Smell Smoke
Do you smell smoke or see sparks coming from electrical outlets or appliances? Don’t play with fire! This is a clear sign of an electrical emergency and requires immediate attention.
Call an emergency electrician to assess the situation and address the issue before it escalates.
Electric Shocks or Tingling Sensations Are Not Normal
If you experience an electric shock or tingling sensation when touching electrical components, it’s a serious red flag. This indicates a potential grounding issue or faulty wiring that could lead to further harm.
Immediately turn off the power source and call an emergency electrician for assistance.
The Danger of Faulty Wiring or Exposed Wires
Visible signs of damage, like frayed cords, exposed wires, or loose connections, pose a significant safety risk.
Leave the area immediately and call an emergency electrician. They will safely address the issue and ensure your electrical system operates correctly.
Flooding or Water Damage Warrants a Call for Help
Water and electricity are a dangerous combination. If your electrical system has been exposed to flooding or water damage, it’s crucial to call an emergency electrician immediately.
They will assess the extent of the damage and disconnect the power supply to prevent further hazards.
Power Outages Affecting Critical Operations
In businesses, unexpected power outages can have devastating consequences. If an outage affects critical operations or equipment, don’t delay!
Contact a local electrician to quickly diagnose the cause and restore power. Calling a professional helps you minimize disruptions, and of course, helps you keep assets and people safe.
While not as immediately dangerous as the scenarios we’ve just covered, over the next few sections of this article, we’ll discuss issues that require prompt attention.
Urgent Electrical Issues: Addressing Problems Before They Worsen
Although these issues aren’t usually reasons to shut the business down for the day, you should seek help as soon as possible. You want to avoid further complications.
Let’s start by addressing a problem experienced at one time or another by most businesses and property managers: tripped breakers and blown fuses.
When circuit breakers trip repeatedly, it indicates an electrical overload. This suggests faulty appliances, overloaded circuits, or underlying wiring problems. Frequently blown fuses indicate the same.
Ignoring this issue can damage your electrical system and increase the risk of fire hazards.
Are You Experiencing Flickering or Dimming Lights?
Flickering or dimming lights often signify voltage issues or faulty wiring. This can strain electronic equipment and create an uncomfortable and potentially hazardous environment.
The problem with flickering lights is they’re sometimes mistaken for a light fixture issue. So, you call your maintenance team and request a light bulb change.
An electrician can best identify the source of the problem and address it to ensure stable and reliable lighting throughout your business.
If You Hear Buzzing or Humming Noises
Unusual noises coming from your electrical system should not be ignored. Buzzing or humming sounds often indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, or faulty transformers.
While not always an immediate safety concern, these noises warrant investigation. Calling a qualified electrician to check things out is the wisest thing to do.
An electrician can diagnose the problem and make repairs quickly without impacting your business operations.
Damaged or Malfunctioning Outlets or Switches
Outlets that spark, crackle, or show signs of physical damage pose a risk of electrical shock. Similarly, switches that don’t function properly or feel hot to the touch require immediate attention.
Replacing these damaged components and addressing the underlying electrical issue is critical. This is another situation that needs an experienced electrician’s help.
It’s your responsibility to ensure your building’s electrical system operates safely and effectively. But that doesn’t mean you should attempt to repair these issues yourself.
Loss of Power in Specific Areas or on Important Circuits
If specific areas of your business experience sudden power loss or important circuits become inoperable, it’s crucial to seek professional assistance. This could indicate overloaded circuits, faulty wiring, or a more serious problem that may require an electrical panel replacement.
An electrician can accurately diagnose the cause of the power outage and implement the necessary repairs to restore functionality and prevent future disruption.
By recognizing these urgent electrical issues and taking prompt action to address them, you ensure the safety of everyone within your business.
Why Hiring an Emergency Electrician Makes Sense
When you discover electrical problems, speed is of the essence. Unlike regular electricians, emergency electricians prioritize urgent situations. They arrive quickly and are ready to tackle the problem head-on.
Beyond their swiftness, emergency electricians bring expertise and experience to the table. Their training and knowledge equip them to diagnose even the most complex electrical issues.
Downtime is costly. Emergency electricians understand this and work diligently to restore power and functionality quickly. This allows you to minimize disruptions to your operations and prevent financial losses.
Investing in the services of an emergency electrician is an investment in peace of mind. Their expertise, quick response, and commitment to safety provide invaluable support when electrical problems threaten your business.
Need Emergency Electrical Services?
By recognizing the signs of electrical problems and taking decisive action, you can safeguard your business from potential disruptions and safety hazards. If you face electrical emergencies, remember you’re not alone.
Partner with Hudson Electric, a family-owned business serving North Central Indiana for 80 years. Our team of emergency electricians is available to resolve any electrical issue promptly and professionally.
Contact Hudson Electric today to place a service call.
Matt Huston was born and raised in Lafayette, IN. During the summers beginning at age 13, Matt worked for the family electrical business, Huston Electric, first as a warehouse helper and then truck driver delivering material to jobsites. After graduating from Harrison High School, Matt attended Purdue University and finished at Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI) in 2013. Matt started his career as the Electrical Service Manager in Huston’s Lafayette location. Hitting the ground running, Matt built countless service-based relationships and has grown and morphed Huston Electric’s service division and market offerings. Matt was promoted to Director of Electrical Services in 2019 and was the driving force behind Huston’s solar division that launched in 2020. Currently, Matt serves as President of Huston Electric and is leading the company into its 85th year in business. Matt is excited and humbled to be able to follow in the steps of his father (Jon), grandfather (Dave), and great grandfather (Don) and looks forward to carrying on the legacy and growth at Huston Electric. Matt is an active member in many industry peer groups, community events, and trade conferences. He is a member of the Region4 Workforce Board and is Huston Electric’s appointed representative to ELECTRI International.