Summer Power-Up: Electrical Maintenance for Commercial Properties

nick45506
Dec 16
3 min read

Brisbane summer is peak pressure season for commercial electrical systems. Air conditioning runs longer, refrigeration works harder, customers stay later, and storms can cause sudden surges or outages. If your power hiccups mid-service, mid-transaction, or mid-production, it’s not just annoying — it costs money, creates safety risks, and can damage equipment.

This is where proactive maintenance pays for itself. Instead of waiting for something to fail on the first 34°C day (or during a storm), a summer electrical check helps you stay compliant, reduce downtime, and avoid expensive “emergency call-out plus replacement parts” scenarios.

Start with the switchboard: your site’s electrical heart

Every business has a “nervous system” — and your switchboard is it. Summer load exposes weaknesses fast.

What to look for:

Frequent tripping when multiple appliances run at once (kitchen + AC + equipment).
Hot smell, buzzing, or visible marks around breakers.
Loose or missing labels (you don’t want staff guessing in an emergency).
Older boards that were never upgraded for today’s power usage.

Summer reality check: cafés, salons, retail spaces and offices often add equipment over time (extra fridges, espresso machines, tanning beds, printers, second AC units). The wiring doesn’t magically “stretch” to support the extra load. Overloaded circuits create heat, which increases fire risk.

Safety switches (RCDs): not optional

Safety switches (RCDs) are critical protection devices. They cut power in milliseconds if current leaks — like when a fault energises a metal surface or someone touches a live part.

Summer focus: humidity, condensation, wet footwear, wet outdoor areas and storm rain all increase electrical risk.

Practical steps:

Test safety switches every six months (or more often for high-use environments).
If an RCD won’t reset, leave it OFF and book an electrician — don’t force it.
Consider upgrading coverage so more circuits are protected (especially power outlets used by staff and customers).

Lighting, security, and emergency systems

Lighting isn’t just “a bulb is out” — it affects customer experience, staff safety, and security.

Do a lighting walkthrough:

Replace flickering lights (often a sign of failing fittings or connections).
Check exterior security lighting and sensor function.
Adjust timers for later trading hours or darker storm afternoons.

Emergency and exit lighting: If your building has emergency lighting, exit signs, or any regulated safety systems, summer storms are the worst time to discover the batteries are dead. These should be tested on schedule and logged where required.

Surge protection: protect the stuff that makes you money

Brisbane storms can cause surges that damage:

EFTPOS systems
computers and routers
TVs/menu boards
fridges/freezers and control boards
salon equipment and specialised machinery

Protection options:

Quality surge-protected power boards for sensitive gear
Whole-site surge protection installed at the switchboard (best for overall protection)
UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for critical systems (POS + modem/router + computer)

A UPS won’t run your whole building — but it can prevent sudden shutdowns that corrupt files, kill transactions, or damage sensitive electronics.

Power boards and “daisy chains”: the quiet fire risk

If you’ve got multiple power boards plugged into each other behind a counter, under desks, or in a stock room, fix it. Overloaded power boards can overheat — summer makes it worse.

Better approach:

Install more outlets where needed
Add dedicated circuits for high-load equipment
Keep cords tidy and away from foot traffic and water sources

Preventative maintenance schedule

(simple, but powerful)

A good commercial maintenance plan might include:

annual (or twice yearly) electrical inspections
thermal imaging of switchboards to find “hot spots”
RCD testing and compliance checks
review of loads and circuit balance
proactive replacement of ageing fittings or breakers

This isn’t overkill — it’s how you avoid downtime in your busiest season.

Work with an electrician who understands commercial urgency

Commercial work isn’t the same as residential. You need someone who:

communicates clearly
can work around trading hours where possible
can prioritise urgent faults fast
provides documentation for compliance/insurance needs

Brisbane summer rewards businesses that prepare early. If your electrical systems are stable, you’ll handle peak trade, storms and heat without the chaos.