Electrical Commissioning Checklist by Prismecs

I and C Services

September 11, 2025

6 minutes read

Blogpost

Electrical commissioning is the critical phase that verifies all electrical systems and components. It confirms that the team designed, installed, tested, operated, and maintained them according to project requirements. It ensures electrical power systems work as intended under real-world conditions. It confirms that they meet all safety and quality standards.
At Prismecs, we know how important this step is to achieve operational excellence. Our experts use a structured commissioning checklist to identify potential issues early. They detect faults in an electrical circuit before they cause problems.
They also check overloaded breaker panels to prevent risks. They assess the risks of electric shocks to ensure safety. We also ensure electrical panels have proper surge protection and safeguards against ground fault hazards. By addressing these factors, we verify that your systems are fully functional, reliable, and code-compliant.

Why You Need an Electrical Commissioning Checklist

Why You Need an Electrical Commissioning Checklist

An electrical commissioning checklist simplifies the verification process. It serves as a structured tool to evaluate all aspects of your electrical system. You miss no details, and you make no assumptions.

This checklist helps

  • Ensure safety compliance
  • Detect installation errors
  • Verify system performance
  • Prevent equipment failures
  • Maintain project timelines

Most importantly, it gives you the confidence to proceed with energization, knowing that your systems are tested and validated.

Key Elements of the Electrical Commissioning Checklist

Key Elements of the Electrical Commissioning Checklist

Below is Prismecs’ recommended breakdown for a complete electrical commissioning procedure. Each section covers different components and systems. It includes the switchboard and main switch. It also includes final circuits and distribution boards.

Documentation Review and Pre-Checks

Start with the basics. Before physical inspections, you must verify that all relevant documents are accurate and available.

Checklist to verify

  • Approved electrical drawings and schematics
  • Manufacturer's manuals and test certificates
  • Safety compliance documentation
  • As-built documentation and design modifications
  • Operation and maintenance (O&M) manuals

Documentation acts as the backbone of the commissioning process. Without it, field inspections can’t move confidently.

Visual and Mechanical Inspection

Inspect all equipment and installations for quality and compliance. Look for physical damage, correct labeling, and proper mounting.

Key areas to assess

  • Switchboard and main switch integrity
  • Distribution board connections and clearances
  • Circuit breaker alignment and identification
  • Cabling, routing, and insulation checks
  • Grounding and bonding system verification

These checks ensure that installations are structurally sound and prepared for energization.

Working Space and Facilities

Verify that all equipment has adequate working space and facilities for operation and maintenance. This is not just about convenience; it’s a code requirement for safety.

Checklist to verify

  • Minimum clearance in front of panels and breakers
  • Emergency exits and access routes
  • Lighting and environmental conditions around electrical rooms
  • Labels and signage visibility

Proper working space prevents accidents and enables safe interventions during maintenance or emergencies.

Testing of Circuit Breakers and Switchgear

Circuit breakers protect your system from overloads and short circuits. Verifying their functionality is non-negotiable.

Tests include

  • Insulation resistance testing
  • Trip function testing
  • Mechanical operation checks
  • Thermal imaging to detect hotspots
  • Current injection tests (if required)

Ensure the circuit breaker values match the load characteristics and protection requirements of the system.

Switchboard and Main Switch Testing

The switchboard and main switch serve as the system’s control center. Their reliability affects the entire downstream network.

The commissioning checklist includes

  • Torque checks on all terminal connections
  • Functional testing of metering and monitoring equipment
  • Voltage phase rotation verification
  • Load balancing and current distribution
  • Emergency shut-off test functionality

Check that the main switch operates smoothly and disconnects all downstream loads as expected.

Final Circuits Testing

Final circuits connect the power distribution to end devices like lighting, motors, and sockets. They must thoroughly test them before going live.

Checklist to verify

  • Polarity and continuity tests
  • Voltage measurements at final outlets
  • Load test with simulated equipment
  • Short-circuit and earth fault loop impedance
  • Functionality of RCDs and circuit protection

Each final circuit must be verified to ensure safety and proper load distribution.

Distribution Board Testing

Distribution boards control and distribute power within your facility. You must carefully check each balance, labeling, and operational readiness.

Testing includes

  • Tightness of all terminals
  • Phase-to-phase and phase-to-ground voltage
  • Circuit labeling and directory verification
  • Busbar and neutral integrity
  • Tripping characteristics of breakers 

Prismecs emphasizes full testing under simulated conditions to uncover hidden faults or imbalances.

Functional Performance Testing

Go beyond component checks. Test the entire system under simulated operating conditions.

Functional testing includes

  • Power-up procedures
  • Load transfer scenarios
  • Emergency stop and reset sequences
  • Alarm system checks

Integration with SCADA or control systems (if applicable)

This stage validates how your system will perform in real-life conditions, one of the most crucial commissioning steps.

Coordination with Other Systems

In integrated facilities, electrical systems frequently interface with HVAC systems, fire alarms, automation, and other systems.

Checklist to verify

  • Control signal integrity
  • Power supply redundancy
  • UPS and generator failover testing
  • Communication between systems
  • Interlocks and system responses

Proper coordination ensures seamless operation across all building or plant systems.

Final Handover and Reporting

Once all tests are complete, Prismecs prepares a comprehensive report documenting the results, certifications, and compliance.

What’s included

  • Final commissioning checklist summary
  • Punch list of any deficiencies
  • Test results and calibration reports
  • Sign-off sheets from engineers and supervisors
  • Recommendations for operation and maintenance

This report becomes part of your project’s permanent documentation and supports regulatory compliance.

Benefits of Using Prismecs’ Electrical Commissioning Checklist

Benefits of Using Prismecs’ Electrical Commissioning Checklist

Using Prismecs' structured electrical commissioning checklist brings clarity and control to complex commissioning projects. Here’s what you gain:

  • Reduced risk of costly failures
  • Faster project completion with fewer delays
  • Full code compliance and certification
  • Improved safety for people and equipment
  • Long-term operational reliability

Our experience in power and energy ensures that your systems are ready to perform from day one.

At the Bottom Line

An electrical commissioning checklist is essential for ensuring the safe, efficient, and effective operation of electrical systems. By following a detailed checklist, you ensure that you correctly install every component. Circuit breaker switches to the final circuit function as intended when you use this checklist. This process also covers various types of electrical testing to verify system performance.

Ensuring Safety and Reliability

By conducting thorough tests and verifications, you ensure the safety of your electrical supply. You also ensure the reliability of your electrical supply through detailed tests and verifications. These actions reduce the risk of issues like arc faults in electrical equipment.

Reducing Risks and Downtime

They also reduce the risk of failures in electrical equipment through thorough tests and verifications. This approach helps avoid costly repairs and downtime, ensuring a smooth and trouble-free operation from day one.

Trust Prismecs for Seamless Electrical Commissioning

Prismecs delivers reliable, end-to-end electrical commissioning services. We ensure your systems are safe, compliant, and fully operational from day one. Our team applies deep technical expertise with a safety-first approach.

Comprehensive Electrical Commissioning Services

We handle pre-commissioning, functional testing, relay calibration, transformer energization, and final system validation. We also manage transfer switches for backup systems.

Tailored Solutions with Transparent Reporting

We tailor our services to meet the unique needs of each industry while adhering to global standards. By combining real-time performance insights with transparent reporting, we give you complete visibility and confidence. Contact us today at +1 (888) 774-7632 or email us at sales@prismecs.com to avail our services.

Tags: Electrical Commissioning Checklist   Checklist To Verify   Switchboard And Main Switch   Circuit Breaker   Electrical Commissioning   Distribution Board   Commissioning Checklist   Breaker Panels   Electric Shocks   Electrical Panels   Ground Fault   Surge Protection   Electrical Supply   Electrical Equipment   Circuit Breakers Switches  

Let’s Talk

Connect with PRISMECS to explore how our global solutions can elevate your operations.

CAPTCHA