Electrical maintenance goes beyond fixing faulty wiring or flickering lights. It encompasses various activities that protect properties and extend the lifespan of appliances and electrical systems.
In this post, we describe the most common types of electrical maintenance to help you identify which areas of your home or establishment require regular inspection.
What Happens During an Electrical Maintenance?
A licensed electrician performs routine inspection, testing, repair, or replacement during electrical maintenance.
Its main objective is to ensure electrical equipment and systems are working. Your electrician may also spot and correct electrical issues or damages, protecting you from costly downtime or accidents.
What are the Types of Electrical Maintenance?
You may contact your licensed electrician to perform one of these three main types of electrical maintenance.
1. Preventive Maintenance
This type involves routine check-ups, cleaning, and servicing of electrical appliances and systems to avoid problems like electrical shock, fire hazards, or equipment failure.
Preventive maintenance is usually a scheduled activity based on industry standards or recommendations. During this activity, a qualified electrician may do the following:
- visually inspect electrical wires, panels, and components for damage, rusting, or signs of overheating
- identify hot spots in electrical connections using thermal imaging cameras
- tighten loose connections to prevent arcing
- clean electrical components from dust and debris to ensure smooth functioning
- test safety devices like surge protectors to ensure they work in case of surges or faults
- inspect earth electrode
- test smoke alarm battery, sound, and overall functionality
2. Predictive Maintenance
This type uses advanced monitoring tools and data analysis to determine if the electrical equipment or system needs checking.
Specialised sensors or technologies are connected to the electric component. These generate real-time insights, like temperature, vibration, and current flow. When the sensors detect any anomaly or deviation from usual operation, the electrician receives an immediate alert to perform the necessary testing or repair.
Some of the tools used for predictive maintenance are the following:
- vibration monitoring systems for electric motors and equipment to quickly correct possible bearing wear or misalignment
- infrared scanners for electrical components to address signs of overheating, loose connections, or failing transformers
- partial discharge testing to monitor electrical insulation health and prevent breakdown
Because predictive maintenance is data-driven, it is also considered the most precise and thorough type. Unlike time-based preventive maintenance, the predictive version depends on the actual condition of your electrical system.
3. Corrective Maintenance
This type deals with electrical issues or breakdowns that already occurred. Its main goal is to restore electrical functionality and safety after malfunctions happen.
However, in some cases, an electrician can implement corrective maintenance when they spot a defect while doing another job order.
For example, your ceiling fan may suddenly stop working during routine preventive maintenance. The electrician will then investigate the problem further and implement the proper corrective solutions.
Some of the usual corrective maintenance tasks are:
- fixing loose connections, damaged wires, or malfunctioning devices, like switches or power outlets
- replacing damaged equipment or outdated components
- troubleshooting electrical issues, like tripping circuit breakers or flickering lights, using specialised tools
What are the Benefits of Regular Electrical Maintenance?
Home or business owners gain these benefits from a well-maintained electrical system:
- Safety and peace of mind. Your electrician spots and corrects potential issues before they cause harm or costly damages.
- Unplanned downtime prevention. Regular maintenance keeps your electric equipment and business running smoothly.
- Equipment preservation. Constant electrical check-ups extend the life of your appliances and machinery, reducing the need for expensive repairs or replacements.
- Efficient energy use. Poor functioning equipment consumes more energy than necessary. When your system is well maintained, you get functional appliances, low energy bills, and a reduced carbon footprint.
Schedule Your Next Electrical Maintenance
Knowing the different types of electrical maintenance helps keep your home or business out of harm’s way. But that’s not all.
With preventive and predictive maintenance, you can reduce electrical failures and preserve the lifespan of your appliances. If a failure does occur, corrective maintenance ensures the problem will not lead to further damages or losses.
Regular electrical maintenance saves lives, properties, and money. So, consult a qualified professional before electrical troubles happen.
Contact SBH Electrical so our maintenance team can assess your system, fix problem areas, and conduct routine check-ups.