Electrical faults in commercial buildings are often more than just an inconvenience. Left unchecked, even small faults can escalate into major risks, from fire hazards to complete system failures. Some issues are obvious, like tripping circuits or flickering lights.
Others are more difficult to spot, hiding behind walls or developing gradually over time. These hidden electrical faults can pose serious safety threats and leave businesses exposed to costly downtime or regulatory non-compliance.
At Bolton Electrical Services, we specialise in identifying and resolving electrical faults before they cause real damage. With decades of experience providing commercial electrician services across Bolton and the North West, we help businesses stay safe, compliant, and operational.
What Is Electrical Fault Finding?
Electrical fault finding is a process we use to locate and diagnose faults in a building’s electrical system. It goes far beyond a standard inspection or visual check.
While a routine test might highlight surface-level issues, fault finding is more focused and investigative. We use specialised tools and a methodical approach to trace problems back to their source, whether it’s a faulty cable, a damaged component, or an issue with power distribution.
This kind of testing is essential in commercial environments, where systems are often more complex and any disruption can affect multiple areas of a business. As part of our commercial electrician services, we ensure any faults are not only located accurately but resolved with minimal disruption to your operations.
Common Types of Electrical Faults in Commercial Properties
In our experience, most electrical faults fall into a few key categories. Overloaded circuits are a common issue, especially in older buildings where power demand has increased but the infrastructure hasn’t kept up.
Loose connections or damaged wiring can also cause intermittent faults that are difficult to trace without the right tools.
Faulty RCDs (Residual Current Devices) or breakers can trip unexpectedly, cutting power and causing downtime. We also frequently deal with intermittent power loss and flickering lights, which are often signs of a deeper problem.
These hidden electrical faults are particularly dangerous because they don’t always trigger alarms or trip switches, yet they can compromise safety and efficiency over time.
Our fault finding service is designed to uncover these issues quickly and accurately, keeping your business safe and compliant while minimising downtime.
Why Hidden Electrical Faults Are a Serious Risk
Safety Hazards and Downtime
Hidden electrical faults are some of the most dangerous issues we encounter in commercial properties. Because they are not immediately visible, they often go unnoticed until they cause significant damage.
Faults like overheating wires, loose connections or insulation failures can increase the risk of electrical fires or electric shocks. They may also cause unplanned outages that interrupt critical systems without warning.
In environments like offices, schools, warehouses or healthcare settings, even a brief power failure can impact safety, data, or day-to-day operations. Through thorough electrical fault finding, we help identify these issues early, so you avoid emergencies and costly repairs.
Impact on Business Operations
When electrical faults are left unchecked, they don’t just put people at risk. They also damage equipment, reduce system reliability, and disrupt productivity.
If machinery powers down unexpectedly or lighting systems flicker during working hours, it creates a poor experience for staff and customers. In some cases, this can even lead to damaged stock or data loss.
Beyond operational challenges, hidden electrical faults also pose a compliance risk. In the UK, all businesses must comply with the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 and the BS 7671 Wiring Regulations.
Failing to maintain a safe system can result in fines, liability, and even prosecution. As part of our commercial electrician services, we ensure your systems are not just functional but safe and fully compliant.
How Professionals Diagnose Electrical Faults
Initial Assessment and Site Visit
Effective fault finding always begins with a site visit. We start by identifying any symptoms you’ve noticed, such as tripping circuits, unusual noises, hot surfaces or intermittent power loss.
Every commercial building is different, so we take time to speak with facility managers or maintenance teams to understand how the fault first presented itself and what equipment or areas may be affected.
This background information helps us narrow down the potential cause and plan our next steps. It also ensures we can work safely, especially when investigating live systems in high-traffic areas.
Using Diagnostic Tools and Equipment
Once we’re on-site, we carry out a series of targeted tests using specialist tools designed for professional electrical fault finding.
Depending on the issue, we may use insulation resistance testers to check wiring integrity, thermal imaging cameras to detect overheating components, or circuit tracers to locate breaks or shorts in hidden cables.
We also use advanced multimeters and RCD testers to evaluate current flow and protection devices. These tools help us uncover hidden electrical faults that wouldn’t be visible through a visual inspection alone. The data they provide is key to ensuring accurate diagnosis without unnecessary disruption to your business.
Interpreting the Results and Taking Action
With the results in hand, we analyse the findings to confirm the root cause of the issue. We don’t believe in guesswork.
Every action we take is based on evidence from our diagnostic process. Once we’ve identified the fault, we’ll talk you through your options, whether that’s a straightforward repair or a more extensive upgrade to prevent further issues.
Our goal is always to resolve problems quickly, safely, and with minimal disruption. As commercial electricians, we’re trained to work around your operations, so your business can continue running while we carry out the necessary repairs.
Preventing Future Electrical Issues in Your Commercial Property
Routine Maintenance and Inspections
Preventing electrical faults starts with regular maintenance and planned inspections. By carrying out periodic Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), we can identify potential risks before they become serious problems.
These reports form the foundation of good electrical health and help ensure your systems remain safe, reliable, and compliant with UK regulations.
At Bolton Electrical Services, we work closely with businesses to put tailored maintenance plans in place. Whether you manage a single office or a large industrial site, we’ll recommend a schedule that suits your operation.
Regular checks give us the opportunity to spot minor faults early, reducing the risk of unplanned downtime or costly repairs later on.
Upgrading Outdated Electrical Systems
In some cases, the most cost-effective option isn’t another repair. If your electrical infrastructure is outdated or no longer fit for purpose, upgrading or rewiring may be the safer and more practical solution.
We often find that older systems struggle to cope with the demands of modern equipment, leading to overloaded circuits or recurring faults.
Signs that your system may need an upgrade include frequent tripping, inconsistent power supply, or visible signs of wear like damaged sockets or ageing wiring.
If you’re expanding your premises or installing new machinery, we can assess whether your current setup is suitable or needs to be brought up to standard.
Our commercial electrician services include full rewiring, panel upgrades, and system redesigns that future-proof your building for years to come.
Why Choose Bolton Electrical for Fault Finding and Repairs?
Experienced Commercial Electricians in the North West
We’ve been helping businesses across Bolton and the North West for decades. Our team is fully qualified, NICEIC-approved, and experienced in all aspects of electrical fault finding and repair.
Whether you run a school, warehouse, retail unit, or public building, we understand how to work efficiently and safely within commercial environments.
We pride ourselves on our fast response times and clear, detailed reporting. When you call us, you’re not getting a generic service. You’re getting electricians who take the time to find the real cause of the problem and offer straightforward solutions that work.
Bespoke Testing and Solutions
Every building is different, which is why our approach to testing is always tailored. We assess your site, systems, and usage before carrying out any work.
From thermal imaging to RCD testing, we use the right tools for the job and explain our findings in plain English.
Our focus is always on keeping your people safe, your systems running, and your business compliant with all relevant regulations. We work discreetly, communicate clearly, and make sure any fault finding or repairs are completed with minimal disruption to your day-to-day operations.
Electrical Fault Finding FAQs
What are the signs of a hidden electrical fault?
Some electrical issues are obvious, but hidden faults often reveal themselves in more subtle ways. You might notice buzzing or humming from sockets, lights that flicker or dim without reason, or equipment that overheats more than it should.
Frequent tripping of circuit breakers can also point to an underlying issue that needs investigating.
Is electrical fault finding covered by a standard inspection?
Not always. A routine Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) checks for overall safety and compliance, but fault finding is more specific. It involves targeted testing to locate the exact cause of an issue.
If you’re experiencing irregularities with your electrics, we can carry out a more focused investigation to pinpoint the problem.
How long does electrical fault finding take?
This depends on the size of the building and the complexity of the fault. For smaller issues, we can often diagnose the problem in under an hour. In larger commercial properties or more complex systems, it may take a full day.
We always aim to work quickly, but we never cut corners when it comes to safety and accuracy.
Can I still operate my business while fault finding takes place?
In many cases, yes. We understand the importance of keeping your business running, so we plan our work carefully to avoid unnecessary disruption. We often isolate sections of the system to allow most of your operations to continue while we carry out testing.
Do I need to shut off power during testing?
Some tests do require isolating specific circuits or equipment, but we only cut power when absolutely necessary. Our team communicates clearly at every stage, so you know exactly what to expect and can plan around any brief downtime.
