Tripping main cables and full boards
In older trading units on Peacock Trading Estate or School Close, machine circuits added piecemeal over decades often overload shared distribution boards, causing intermittent tripping.
Commercial fault finding in Eastleigh
Dealing with tripping circuits, lost power or an intermittent electrical fault at work? MCI Electrical tests the installation methodically to locate the cause before discussing the repair. Commercial fault finding covers offices, shops, warehouses and industrial sites across Eastleigh, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End and Southampton.
- Local & Trusted
- Upfront Pricing
- Free Quotes
How this is priced
Fault finding is charged by the hour, because nobody can say in advance how long a hidden fault takes to find. Parts for the permanent repair are quoted separately, once I know what is actually wrong.
- The hourly rate covers initial diagnostic testing, circuit isolation, and tracing with calibrated instruments.
- Parts and materials required for permanent repairs are charged separately.
- Access equipment hire is not included if high bay fittings or external high level containment must be reached.
- Where a fault requires extensive remedial work, a written quotation is provided before proceeding.
- Fixed wire testing is priced on the number of boards and circuits, not by the hour.
- Emergency lighting is priced per light, and the three hour test is priced separately.
- Repairs are priced item by item off the report, so you choose what to do and when.
- Work outside your trading hours costs a different rate, and I tell you what it is before I set off.
- Quotes are free, rescheduling is free, and there is no callout fee.
The faults that actually come in
Most calls are a breaker that will not stay in, a circuit that has gone dead, or something that only trips when one particular piece of equipment runs. Boards without labels, and circuits joined together over the years, are behind a fair number of them.
Corrosion in salty dock air
Premises next to the docks near Millbrook Trading Estate and the port experience severe corrosion at containment joints and glands, leading to earth faults and unexpected outages.
Unlabelled shared tenant circuits
In converted town centre buildings around Eastleigh and city centre offices, borrowed neutrals and unlabelled distribution boards create circuit interference and tripping.
What is and is not included
This is what the visit covers, and what sits outside it.
Included
- Systematic testing using calibrated insulation and loop impedance testers
- Tracing unlabelled circuits, and circuits wired across each other, back to the distribution board
- Isolating faulty components or damaged cabling safely
- Temporary safe isolation or immediate minor repair where materials are on hand
- Clear reporting of the root cause and required corrective actions
Not included
- Major circuit rewiring or panel replacements during the initial diagnostic visit
- Hiring specialist access platforms for high bay lighting or roof containment
- Repairing other people's industrial machines or specialised plant equipment
Before I arrive
It helps to know when the fault happens and what is running at the time, and to have the area around the distribution board clear of stock so I can get to it.
- 01
Provide access to distribution boards
Ensure all relevant distribution boards, main cables, and meter positions are clear of stock, pallets, or locked doors.
- 02
Note the sequence of the failure
Record which machines, lights, or sockets lost power simultaneously, and whether the trip occurred during startup or normal operation.
- 03
Locate existing schematic records
Have any previous electrical inspection reports, circuit schedules, or building layouts ready for review when I arrive on site.
What you get at the end
You know exactly what caused it, what has been made safe, and what a permanent repair involves, written down in plain English along with the certificate for any work I carry out.
- The actual cause
- A plain explanation of why the circuit failed, pinpointing the damaged cable, faulty accessory, or overloaded component.
- A priced decision
- A detailed breakdown of the work and materials required for a permanent repair, allowing you to plan the fix.
- A certificate for the repair
- Appropriate electrical certification covering any remedial work completed during the visit, confirming compliance with safety standards.
- A note for the file
- Updated notes on the board or circuit schedule to keep your building maintenance records accurate for future inspections.
Why choose us
Every job is carried out to current standards, fully tested and left tidy. You get the certificate the same day the work finishes, with a plain English summary you can act on, and a reminder when your next test is due. Quotes are free, rescheduling is free, and there is no callout fee. The same electrician quotes the work, does it and signs it off.
Get Free QuoteQuestions I get asked
The questions I get asked about fault finding before booking.
Can you fix the electrical fault on the same day?+
If the fault is caused by a damaged accessory or simple component, I carry standard spares to clear it immediately. Where specialised parts or extensive rewiring are needed, I make the circuit safe and provide a written price for the permanent repair.
Do I need to turn off power to the whole building?+
I isolate only the specific circuit being tested whenever possible to keep your business running. Brief interruptions to local distribution boards may be required while taking dead test measurements.
What happens if the fault is intermittent?+
Intermittent faults are traced by testing insulation resistance and thermal connections under load. Measuring loop impedance and checking terminal tightness across the circuit helps reveal loose joints or breakdown.
Why do distribution boards in shared buildings trip frequently?+
Shared units often feature altered circuits where neutrals have been shared or loads added without updating the board. This balance issue causes protective devices to trip when total demand spikes.
Where the rules come from
The official rules behind this work, straight from the source.
Areas we cover
Eastleigh, Whiteley and Segensworth, Chandler's Ford, Hedge End and Botley, Southampton and the docks
Start with the job details
Tell me what you need and you will get a free quote, with no callout fee. Send over a few details about your premises and the work you have in mind.