Commercial Electrical Emergency? What to Do Before the Electrician Arrives
Updated: Sep 26
When the power goes out, a panel starts buzzing, or you smell something burning, every minute counts for a business. Employees, customers, equipment and inventory are all on the line.
Here's what to do in the first few minutes of a commercial electrical emergency, how to keep people safe, and what to have ready when the electrician arrives.
Signs you're dealing with an electrical emergency
A burning smell, smoke, or scorch marks near outlets, panels or equipment
Sparking, arcing, or popping sounds
A panel or breaker that's hot, buzzing or humming
Sudden loss of power to part or all of the building
Water near electrical panels, outlets or equipment, such as after a leak or flood
Lights that flicker or dim across the building when equipment starts
Breakers that trip repeatedly or won't reset
Downed or damaged power lines near the property
What to do right now
Put people first. If there's fire or smoke, get everyone out and call 911. Don't try to fight an electrical fire with water.
Stay clear of the hazard. Keep employees and customers away from sparking equipment, damaged wiring, water near electrical equipment, and downed lines.
Shut off power only if it's safe. If you can reach the breaker or main disconnect without touching water or damaged equipment, turn it off. If you're not sure, don't risk it.
Contact the utility for outside problems. For a neighborhood outage or downed lines outside the building, contact your utility.
Call a licensed electrician. For anything inside your building, from panel problems to burning smells, call a commercial electrician right away.
Don't try to reset or repair it yourself
Repeatedly resetting a tripping breaker, taping over damaged wiring, or running extension cords to get equipment back online can turn one problem into several. Commercial systems carry larger loads than homes, and mistakes are more dangerous. Leave the diagnosis and repair to a licensed electrician.
What to have ready when the electrician arrives
Where and when the problem started, and what was running at the time
Which areas, circuits or equipment lost power
Any smells, sounds or visible damage you noticed
Clear access to the electrical room and panels
Contact info for your building manager or landlord, if you lease
Take photos of any visible damage if it's safe to do so. They can help with insurance claims and with the repair.
Preventing the next emergency
Keep electrical panels clear and accessible at all times
Make sure panels and breakers are clearly labeled
Avoid using extension cords or power strips as permanent wiring
Plan for added load before bringing in new equipment
Schedule periodic inspections, especially in older buildings
Frequently asked questions
Should I call the utility or an electrician?
If the problem is outside your building, like a neighborhood outage or downed lines, contact the utility. If it's inside your building or your equipment, call a licensed electrician.
Can I keep my business open during an electrical problem?
Only if the affected area is safely isolated and there's no fire risk. When in doubt, close the affected area until an electrician says it's safe.
Does insurance cover electrical damage?
It depends on your policy and the cause. Document the damage and contact your insurance provider.
Commercial electrical help on the North Shore
Miron Electricians has served Northbrook, Chicago and the North Shore since 2009, providing emergency and commercial electrical work for businesses and property owners.
Electrical problem at your business? Call 224-305-7329, or contact us online.
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