4 simple tips for electrical maintenance

Did you know a single electrical equipment breakdown can cost a school district more than $30,000? With so many responsibilities, from security to student safety, it’s easy to overlook the maintenance of electrical systems. But electricity is essential for lighting, heating, cooling, and powering appliances and electronics. Neglecting electrical maintenance isn’t something you can afford to overlook.

Preventative maintenance

Preventative maintenance has proven to be a game-changer in reducing the frequency and severity of electrical failures, particularly in older school buildings. Here are four critical maintenance tips to remember:

1. Keep it clean: A clean electrical system is less prone to failures caused by foreign objects, short circuits and the buildup of dust, dirt and oil. Follow these tips:
• Keep electrical equipment and rooms free of excessive dust and dirt.
• Avoid using electrical equipment rooms for storage purposes
• Limit access to the electrical system to authorized personnel only
• Maintain proper lighting for efficient maintenance and operation
2. Keep it cool: Preventing overheating in electrical equipment is crucial for averting failures due to defective or inadequate insulation. Consider the following:
• Prevent excessive heating buildup in equipment rooms
• Regularly maintain cooling fans or blowers in equipment
• Keep ventilation openings in equipment enclosures clean and unobstructed
• Adhere to manufacturer recommendations regarding filter changes or cleaning
3. Keep it dry: Moisture-related issues account for 17.4% of electrical equipment failures. If moisture is detected, follow these steps:
• Inspect equipment for damage and conduct necessary repairs
• Identify and eliminate the source of moisture to prevent further damage
4. Keep it tight: Loose connections cause over 30% of unexpected outages. Here are a few measures you can take to prevent such issues:
• Regularly check all connections to ensure they’re tight
• Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for tightening
• Consider an infrared imaging survey to detect any loose connections

By keeping your electrical equipment clean, cool, dry and tight, you can address two-thirds of failures.

Where to start with electrical maintenance

Conducting regular and routine maintenance is paramount for the proper functioning of your school’s electrical equipment. Take the first step by scheduling a thorough inspection with a qualified professional. Regular inspections ensures safety and effectiveness, laying a strong foundation to protect your school’s operations and finances.  

Understanding the primary causes of electrical equipment failure

To effectively prevent electrical system failures, it’s important to understand what causes them. According to our partners at Hartford Steam Boiler (HSB), these are the primary causes of electrical equipment failures:

• Loose connections or parts
• Moisture
• Power line disturbance
• Defective or inadequate insulation
• Lightning
• Foreign objects or short circuits
• Collision
• Overloading or inadequate power capacity
• Accumulation of dust, dirt or oil

For more information, explore these resources:

• HSB’s Electrical Equipment Exposure in K-12 Schools
• EMC’s Electrical Safety Resources