Electrical Preventative Maintenance Checklist
The following Maintenance Checks are crucial to most businesses with electrical machinery, large amounts of lighting and other appliances, overhead doors and other expensive assets.
Only properly trained staff or certified electricians should do the following checks. Dangerous current levels, fire hazards and damage to expensive assets are very real threats that need to be well managed.
About 2/3 of Electrical Preventative Maintenance is done while systems are energized. This creates a high potential for danger.
The following are not complete specifications: check each manufacturer’s or supplier’s guidelines.
ASSET
Cables from power utility into facility
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Faulty connections
WHEN TO CHECK
3 year intervals
ASSET
Power from Utility
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Surges, sags
WHEN TO CHECK
Surge protectors should warn equipment operators if conditions are unusual or dangerous
ASSET
Insulation
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Cracks, flaking, overheating, and deterioration
WHEN TO CHECK
1 year intervals
ASSET
Contact Points
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Not properly aligned, dirty or rough
WHEN TO CHECK
It depends on the specific equipment and it’s usage; check manufacturer’s guidelines
ASSET
Electrical Panels & Enclosure
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Mislabelled
WHEN TO CHECK
Before and after new systems are installed or changed
ASSET
Electrical Panels & Enclosure
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Dust and dirt; moisture
WHEN TO CHECK
Each time the panel is opened
ASSET
Electrical Equipment Rooms
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Dirt & dust, cluttered storage, cooling fan breakdown, clogged ventilation, dirty filters
WHEN TO CHECK
3 months
ASSET
Electrical Equipment
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Broken seals or gaskets, worn cables, dirt or dust buildup, and adequate ventilation between equipment
WHEN TO CHECK
1 month
NOTES
Review the manufacturers specifications for correct tolerances on tightness, operating temperatures
ASSET
Electrical Equipment
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Turning equipment on or off, placing large loads or quick reductions in load – these can create surges through the electrical system
WHEN TO CHECK
1 month
NOTES
Newer solid-state electronic controllers can be damaged by surges.
ASSET
Electrical Equipment
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Harmonics – most equipment operates at 60 cycles per second. If 2 or more pieces of equipment get into a harmonic sync, then their matching power peaks and valleys can create real problems
WHEN TO CHECK
1 month
NOTES
Professional detection equipment can spot problems and isolate which systems need filtering or adjusting
ASSET
Electrical Connections
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Inspect carefully for indications of arcing, corrosion, hot spots
WHEN TO CHECK
If no changes to the systems an annual inspection is reasonable. If there has been additions and changes, then the connection need to be checked.
ASSET
Power Surge Protectors
WHEN TO CHECK
If the system has been changed significantly, then surge protectors need to be checked.
ASSET
Fans, Vents & Ducts
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Clogged, dusty
WHEN TO CHECK
In dusty facilities – weekly at least.
ASSET
Drains and Plumbing
POTENTIAL ISSUES
Water leaks – rain, cold water intake, boilers, waste water
WHEN TO CHECK
After plumbing work is completed; before and after heavy rains, after renovations
By doing Preventative Maintenance, your facility will save money on downtime and repairs, and be a much safer environment for both the assets and your people.
For a custom Preventative Maintenance schedule, contact Intel Power Electric.
