Have you ever heard the player’s proverb, “No pain, No gain”? Similar is in the case of the electrical world, and there is a proverb “no maintenance, no operation.” With the expanding data hubs, increased factory automation, greater demand on electrical utilities, the demand for reliable power distribution mechanisms also increases. Not only does it ensure efficiency and stability, but it offers you a safe environment for operation.
So, whenever your device begins to display signs of electrical ageing, it should act as a trigger for you to carry out preventive switchgear maintenance and testing to avoid unfortunate failure.
Importance of Power Distribution Maintenance
Due to power components faults and system failures, various businesses face million-dollar losses worldwide. If you want to avoid such losses, hire professionals for Power Distribution Maintenance. They can offer your company numerous benefits, including:
- Constant Monitoring
In an organization, the power component plays an important role. In case they start creating the problem, it can affect your work. So, it is important to hire maintenance contracts for carefully monitoring electric equipment. Physical condition, operation within limits, loading, and environmental conditions are some parameters they usually analyze during the survey process.
Hence, power distribution maintenance is a cost-effective option in many ways, which improves equipment efficiency and reduces utility bills.
- Regularly scheduled inspections
All kinds of electrical equipment, including switchgear, switchboards or generators, eventually stop working. But with routine maintenance activities and regularly scheduled inspection, you can reduce the facility’s downtime.
Besides, such inspection will prevent system and equipment failures and ensure maximum safety and efficiency in the utilization of the facilities. So, it’s better never to neglect your power distribution system.
- Predictive analytics
Maintenance contractors employ advanced predictive analysis tools to help confirm that your maintenance schedules are optimized and that you can control downtime. These predictive analysis tools include sensor technology for the maintenance of machinery and equipment at component manufacturing facilities – switchgear maintenance and cable manufacturing facilities.
- On-time upgrades and replacement
Some organizations do not resolve system faults on time. Thus, underfund and undermine their maintenance departments. As a result, companies tend to invest a huge amount in emergency repairs. In such cases, only maintenance contracts can help! They will offer you on-time upgrades and replacement plan to keep the systems up and running consistently.
- Checklist
As per the NFPA, “A well-administered power distribution maintenance program helps to reduce accidents, save lives, minimize costly breakdowns and unplanned shutdowns of equipment.” So, it is recommended by professionals to:
- Check the function of indicators.
- Check the function of all power meters before shutdown.
- Inspect locking devices for signs of damage.
- Conduct switchgear maintenance and testing
- Clean thoroughly, vacuum and full visual inspection of exterior and interior of all switchboards.
- Inspect control wiring, power supply units, timers, etc.
- Validate control circuit fuse rating and continuity.
- Check electronic surge protection is intact where installed.
- Visual review for signs of deterioration or overheating.
- Ensure all-clear after work is completed.
- Examination of all panels for paintwork damage and signs of corrosion.
- Check battery tripping packs, battery integrity, signs of defects, etc.
Closing Words
In the world of power distribution, nothing goes well without maintenance. Every system has numerous points of failure – some of them critical that can disrupt or outright stop power generation. In addition, some system components are much more likely to fail if they aren’t properly and regularly maintained.
However, understaffed and underfunded maintenance programs only lead to damaged components that must be repaired/replaced before production can resume. This means a direct relationship between a bad maintenance policy and inefficiency, which results in downtime and lost revenue.
If you notice any system fault, hire a highly skilled maintenance contractor tailored to suit your power distribution-related problem without any delay.
