Ask The Electrician: How Do I Build Resilience and Prepare My Commercial Property for Winter Power Outages?

New England’s unpredictable weather, from severe winter storms to unexpected accidents, can bring commercial operations to a sudden halt. While preparing for an outage has traditionally been about having a backup generator, today’s focus is on building electrical resilience: the ability for a building’s systems to withstand, adapt to, and quickly recover from power disruptions.

A resilient facility minimizes disruptions, protects assets, and ensures business continuity during a crisis. To truly safeguard your commercial property, consider adopting a three-step strategy.

1. Conduct a Professional Electrical Audit: A professional electrical audit goes beyond reviewing old utility bills. It’s a detailed assessment that identifies every critical system. This includes the HVAC and refrigeration to security and data servers. It calculates the exact power required to keep them running. This step is crucial for making informed decisions about backup solutions and avoiding costly mistakes like investing in a generator that’s too small or too large.

2. Explore Advanced Backup Technology: While a standby generator remains a reliable option, the landscape of backup power has evolved. Modern solutions offer more than just electricity; they provide instantaneous and efficient power management. Some examples of backup technology include:

Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS): These systems provide instant backup power, taking over the moment the grid fails. A UPS is a silent, emission-free alternative perfect for powering critical loads. It can also supplement a traditional generator, saving fuel and reducing runtime.

Generator Docking Stations: For facilities that rely on a temporary generator, a pre-installed generator tap box or docking station is a game-changer. It provides a safe, quick, and code-compliant connection point, eliminating the risks and delays associated with manual hookups during an emergency.

Microgrids: For larger facilities or campuses with multiple critical loads, a microgrid creates a localized, self-sufficient power system. It can operate independently from the main grid, ensuring continuous power to all essential buildings and systems.

3. Prioritize Proactive Maintenance: Even the most advanced systems can fail without proper upkeep. Routine inspections by certified professionals are essential. A well-maintained electrical system is a reliable one, reducing the likelihood of failures. Maintaining detailed records of every jobsite ensures that in the event of an outage, your electrician can quickly and efficiently restore power using a blueprint of your building’s specific electrical layout.

By moving from a mindset of basic preparation to one of comprehensive resilience, you can prepare your commercial building to withstand the harshest conditions and ensure your operations continue uninterrupted.

By Brian Leborgne, regional manager at Interstate Electrical Services Corporation.