Nearby strikes differ from direct hits on service entrance gear. Occupants may report flicker only once while control boards retain latent damage.
Electrical troubleshooting through Garrett Mechanical electrical and emergency service separates surge artifacts from unrelated mechanical faults.
What nearby lightning can stress
Indirect strikes induce voltage on communication lines, sensor loops, and grounding conductors. Controls that share a common reference may reboot without tripping feeder breakers.
Coastal sites with long cable runs to parking and dock loads see more sensor faults than sites with compact footprints.
Underground communication faults may present as BACnet drops rather than hard power loss.
Symptoms that trail the storm date
Random controller faults, blank displays, and erratic staging may begin on the first hot afternoon after a nighttime storm. Compressors that short-cycle can trace to damaged input boards rather than refrigerant issues.
Facility teams should log storm date, first symptom date, and equipment that shares a conduit path.
Ground grid testing after strikes is a specialized scope; we note when referral is appropriate.
Surge protective device status
Panel-mounted surge modules may indicate replacement need after a major event. Devices that look intact may have sacrificed internal elements.
We inspect coordination between utility entrance protection and downstream HVAC and generator controls, not only receptacle strips in offices.
Spare board inventory decisions should follow measured failure rate, not fear after every storm.
Replacement versus restart
Restarting equipment without measuring control power may mask damaged boards that fail under load. Documented megohm or manufacturer-recommended tests belong in the ticket when history supports surge exposure.
HVAC teams should not add refrigerant to address cooling loss until electrical inputs are verified when surge week preceded failure.
Drive firmware revisions may need restoration from backup after surge-related corruption.
Insurance and inventory photos
Photograph nameplates, fault codes, and any visibly damaged surge modules before reset. Serial numbers support property claims separate from mechanical wear arguments.
Share utility outage maps when available to correlate neighborhood strike reports.
Facility cyber policies may restrict remote reset; document offline steps when controls are cloud-tied.
Hardening without overpromising
Additional protection may be appropriate on regenerated transfer equipment or rooftop controls after verified damage. Scope should name which conductors received new protection rather than blanket whole-building promises.
Reference rooftop cooling diagnostics when RTU behavior changed after the same storm.
Seasonal lightning maps help correlate recurring sites without claiming precision strike distance.
Report surge-related calls
List distances you know, sounds heard, and equipment zones affected. Avoid repeated hard resets that can cascade damage.
Call (904) 822-3339 or request service with storm timeline notes.
Post-event thermography on panels may show heating at damaged surge modules before they open.
Documentation that survives staff turnover
Southeast coastal sites share storm calendars that compress both utility make-ready and generator exercise windows into the same weeks. Treating electrical readiness as a single plan across sizing, transfer timing, and fuel reduces conflicting advice from separate vendors.
Garrett Mechanical documents storm electrical work so facility leads can compare year-over-year test values instead of relying on memory after staff turnover. Written closeout belongs beside permits, insurance packets, and landlord reporting folders.
Browse the knowledge base, coverage map, and facilities vendor management resources when planning multi-site consistency. Call (904) 822-3339 or submit a service request when measured values—not assumptions—should drive the next decision.
Measured field notes from prior visits should travel with the property when ownership changes. Screenshots of controller settings and labeled panel photos reduce repeat discovery fees on the next call.
Measured field notes from prior visits should travel with the property when ownership changes. Screenshots of controller settings and labeled panel photos reduce repeat discovery fees on the next call.
Measured field notes from prior visits should travel with the property when ownership changes. Screenshots of controller settings and labeled panel photos reduce repeat discovery fees on the next call.
Measured field notes from prior visits should travel with the property when ownership changes. Screenshots of controller settings and labeled panel photos reduce repeat discovery fees on the next call.
Measured field notes from prior visits should travel with the property when ownership changes. Screenshots of controller settings and labeled panel photos reduce repeat discovery fees on the next call.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not professional advice, a quote, or a service agreement. Conditions at your home or property may differ; contact a qualified professional for an on-site evaluation before making repair, safety, or spending decisions.