Your facility is running like clockwork — or so it seems. Equipment hums steadily, your team is busy, and everything appears to be in order. But behind the walls, an overloaded circuit is quietly deteriorating, the lighting system is less efficient than it could be, and a poorly labeled breaker panel risks creating confusion during routine maintenance.

These small oversights might not seem urgent, but over time, they can add up to inefficiencies, unexpected costs, and operational stress. A commercial electrical inspection checklist helps address these everyday issues, keeping your systems safe and compliant with the National Electrical Code (NEC).

Since 1944, Lee Company’s commercial electricians have partnered with businesses across the Southeast to keep their electrical infrastructure reliable. Let’s explore how a proactive approach to inspections can simplify your work and safeguard your facility.

What Is Commercial Electrical Work?

Commercial electrical work involves managing the unique electrical demands of small to large-scale facilities to keep your business running smoothly. Unlike residential electrical systems that primarily support basic appliances and lighting, commercial electrical systems power extensive lighting grids, multiple heating, ventilation, air conditioning (HVAC) units, industrial machinery, and other equipment. These systems are built to handle much higher loads, often relying on three-phase power and advanced components like heavy-duty circuit breakers and intricate wiring networks.

Electrical safety is another key concern of these systems, going beyond NEC compliance to tackle issues like overloaded circuits, faulty grounding, or equipment failures. Left unchecked, these problems can result in fire hazards, employee injuries, or costly fines.

With commercial buildings consuming 40% of the nation’s energy and 75% of its electricity, improving efficiency is also essential for controlling operational costs and keeping systems reliable.

Regular electrical inspections help avoid surprises and maintain a safe, efficient environment.

9 Areas to Focus on During a Commercial Electrical Inspection

A commercial electrical inspection is more than another routine maintenance task. It’s an opportunity to uncover hidden issues that can snowball into operational headaches. It requires technical expertise to assess systems that directly impact safety, compliance, and efficiency.

Below, we’ve outlined the most critical areas to evaluate. We also highlight when a licensed professional is necessary and why these evaluations matter. By addressing these areas, you can maximize building uptime, control costs, and create a safer work environment for your team.

1. Electrical Wiring and Circuit Breakers

What to Inspect:

• Inspect for frayed wires, loose connections, and signs of corrosion.
• Examine junction boxes for overcrowding and look for overheated breakers (these indicate overloaded circuits).
• Wiring methods should fit the specific demands of your building type. For instance, a warehouse with heavy machinery has different wiring needs than a restaurant with high refrigeration loads.

Why It Matters:

Faulty wiring is one of the top causes of workplace fires. Overloaded circuits can quietly disrupt equipment performance and increase energy costs before they trigger more obvious failures. A licensed electrician is best equipped to identify and correct these issues, especially when reviewing wiring buried within walls or inspecting circuit breakers for wear.

2. Lighting Systems

What to Inspect:

• Examine fixtures for flickering, proper placement, discoloration, or loose mounts.
• Work areas must have adequate illumination to support employee productivity and safety. Pay close attention to high-traffic areas like stairwells, hallways, and parking garages.
• In retail spaces, verify that display lighting is functional.

Why It Matters:

Insufficient lighting impacts employee morale and customer experience. For example, a poorly lit loading dock increases the risk of workplace injuries, while dimly lit storefronts drive customers away.

Additionally, older lighting systems are energy hogs. Retrofitting to LED fixtures can save thousands annually in utility costs. Bring in a professional to evaluate whether your lighting layout supports both efficiency and safety standards.

3. Underground Systems and Electrical Boxes

What to Inspect:

• Underground wiring should be properly encased and buried at the correct depth.
• Look for water infiltration, which can corrode cables and lead to shorts.
• Check for equipment interference.
• Electrical boxes should be sealed, labeled, and securely mounted to handle your building’s load demands.

Why It Matters:

Underground systems are out of sight but shouldn’t be out of mind. Subpar installation or degradation can lead to costly repairs, and ignoring problems until something fails disrupts operations.

For example, a damaged feeder line buried beneath your facility’s parking lot could require excavation, shutting down access for employees and customers. Licensed electricians use specialized equipment to test and assess underground systems without unnecessary disruption.

4. Energy Efficiency and HVAC Systems

What to Inspect:

• High-energy components such as HVAC systems, transformers, and large appliances should be reviewed for efficiency.
• Conductors and connections must be able to handle these systems’ electrical loads.
• Look for outdated equipment that could be replaced with more energy-efficient alternatives.

Why It Matters:

Facility managers often wrestle with ballooning energy costs, especially in warehouses, storage facilities, office spaces, and service buildings. A comprehensive energy audit by a professional electrician can uncover inefficiencies like undersized conductors or aging components. Upgrades to ENERGY STAR-certified equipment can cut utility costs by up to 35%, saving your business thousands annually while reducing your building’s impact on the environment.

5. Grounding and Bonding Systems

What to Inspect:

• Verify that grounding conductors are intact and that all metal components are bonded correctly to create a continuous electrical path.
• Look for loose or corroded connections at grounding electrodes or panels.

Why It Matters:

Without proper grounding, surges from lightning strikes or utility faults can damage your business-critical systems. Poor bonding also increases the risk of arc faults, which can result in significant equipment damage or injuries. A professional evaluation is necessary to verify compliance with electrical safety standards. This will ensure your grounding and bonding systems are robust enough to protect both your facility and the people in it.

6. Emergency Systems

What to Inspect:

• Backup systems, including generators and battery packs, should be tested for their ability to support your facility during outages.
• Emergency lighting and exit signs should be fully operational and compliant with local building codes.

Why It Matters:

During a power outage, a well-maintained emergency system can prevent chaos, protect occupants, and keep operations running. Routine testing and load simulations should always involve a licensed electrical contractor to verify that backup systems kick in as expected. This also helps you avoid potential fines or shutdowns tied to noncompliance with local, federal, and industry-specific regulations.

7. Electrical Panels and Circuit Directories

What to Inspect:

• Check that electrical panels are accessible, clearly labeled, and free of obstructions.
• Inspect for signs of overheating or improper grounding in the breaker boxes.
• Circuit breakers and disconnecting means must be rated for the building’s electrical demands and installed correctly.

Why It Matters:

Confusion during a maintenance emergency can lead to costly delays in productivity. Accurate circuit directories and accessible panels make it easier to address issues quickly. A professional electrician can use thermal imaging to detect hotspots in panels, indicating overloaded circuits or loose connections that require immediate attention.

8. Building-Specific Systems

Facilities with unique needs, such as data centers, healthcare facilities, or food service operations, require tailored evaluations of their systems. For example, refrigeration units in food service buildings or medical imaging equipment in healthcare settings must meet stricter requirements.

Neglecting the specific demands of your industry can lead to costly equipment failures or expensive downtime. Working with a professional electrician experienced in your industry means these systems will be properly evaluated and maintained to meet regulations.

9. General Safety Measures

What to Inspect:

• Check for open ports or holes in electrical enclosures that could expose internal components to debris or moisture.
• Ensure there’s enough airflow to prevent overheating, especially near transformers, panels, and other heat-generating systems.
• Verify that all applicable equipment is labeled with visible arc flash warnings to protect personnel during servicing.

Why It Matters:

Oversights in these areas can lead to failed safety inspections, penalties, or increased risks for maintenance personnel. Keeping electrical spaces organized and hazard-free reduces liability and streamlines repairs or inspections.

Benefits of Regular Commercial Electrical Inspections

Routine commercial electrical inspections go beyond ticking off compliance checklists. They’re a vital safeguard for your operations, reputation, and revenue. For facility managers, business owners, and property owners, inspections are a smart, proactive investment in the safety and efficiency of your building. Here are a few specific benefits to consider:

Enhanced Safety and Operational Reliability

A circuit breaker that trips frequently or an overloaded panel that wasn’t built to handle the current electrical demand can cause frustrating, costly downtime. These day-to-day operational hiccups add stress to facility managers and slow productivity.

Routine inspections also help uncover hazards like overheated circuits, corroded grounding, or faulty wiring before they escalate into major incidents. Beyond potential OSHA fines or the risk of employee injuries, operational halts, emergency repairs, and even legal exposure can follow.

Investing $2,000 to repair an overheated transformer during an inspection is far more cost-effective than dealing with the $50,000 aftermath of a preventable fire.

Energy Efficiency and Financial Gains

Energy inefficiency bleeds money and impacts your bottom line. If an outdated HVAC system or poorly maintained lighting grid is driving up utility costs by 20%, you’re throwing thousands of dollars away annually.

A professional inspection pinpoints these inefficiencies, offering actionable insights like upgrading to ENERGY STAR-certified systems or correcting undersized conductors. Businesses implementing these measures saved $14 billion last year.

Avoiding Fines and Capturing Incentives

Noncompliance with electrical codes can result in penalties, delayed projects, or liability risks. But it’s not just about avoiding fines. Tax deductions, expanded under the Inflation Reduction Act, reward energy-efficient upgrades. Improvements like advanced lighting systems or building envelope enhancements can translate into significant financial incentives, directly offsetting the cost of proactive maintenance.

Don’t wait for a failure to force your hand — inspections keep your facility safe, efficient, and cost-effective.

Electrical Peace of Mind Starts with Lee Company

While this commercial electrical inspection checklist provides a strong foundation, professional evaluations are a must if you want complete confidence in your electrical systems. Lee Company, a trusted electrical contractor in Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, and Georgia since 1944, offers comprehensive electrical services tailored to commercial properties of all types.

From troubleshooting complex wiring to optimizing energy efficiency, our licensed technicians provide 24/7 service backed by advanced tools like building automation and predictive analytics.

We handle everything from routine inspections and emergency repairs to energy-saving upgrades.

Partner with Lee Company to reduce downtime, prevent costly surprises, and maintain a secure, high-performing facility. Contact us today to power your business with confidence.