Have you heard the expression “prevention is the best medicine?” The same applies to maintenance — taking a preventative approach can lead to catching issues sooner and possibly saving a lot of money in the process. 

Electrical preventative maintenance is a great way to identify potentially costly issues with electrical equipment and systems and correct them before they become serious. 

What Is Electrical Preventative Maintenance?

Electrical preventative maintenance is the process of inspecting electrical systems and equipment to identify potential problems and correcting them as needed. 

The specifics of this process will differ based on the type of business, but it’s essential that all businesses — from hospitals to industrial manufacturers — have an electrical preventative maintenance program. This was reinforced by the 2023 updates to NFPA 70B, which now require facilities to have electrical maintenance programs (EMPs). 

Benefits of Electrical Preventative Maintenance

While electrical maintenance programs are now required, electrical preventative maintenance plans are nothing new for most businesses. Let's take a look at some of the primary ways businesses benefit from EMPs. 

Safety

Keeping employees safe is paramount in any industry, and electrical preventative maintenance can help identify potential electrical hazards before incidents occur. For example, discovering faulty wiring or worn components early can prevent serious hazards such as electrical fires or shocks. This protects your employees from injury and your business from potentially catastrophic damage. 

Equipment lifespan

Equipment failure can be devastating for some businesses — and the cost of repairs and replacements can add up quickly. By taking a preventative approach, businesses can improve the reliability of their equipment while also helping to extend its lifespan. Plus, for businesses heavily reliant on electrical machinery, such as industrial manufacturers, identifying faults can also help prevent major losses due to unplanned downtime. 

Energy efficiency

Energy management is another important strategy for most businesses, and electrical preventative maintenance fits under that umbrella. Inefficiencies stemming from electrical issues can lead to wasted energy and higher energy costs. 

Compliance 

The electrical preventative maintenance process also includes ensuring compliance with electrical standards from NFPA, OSHA, and others. 

Electrical Preventative Maintenance Checklist

Given the updates to NFPA 70B, businesses now have a framework for the elements an electrical maintenance program should include. However, as stated earlier, the specific maintenance needs will vary from industry to industry and business to business.

In general, most electrical preventative maintenance programs will include: 

Panel inspection: inspect the panel for dust, dirt, moisture, and signs of arcing or overheating, and securely tighten all connections and terminals. 

Breaker functionality: test GFCIs and AFCIs, and verify that circuit breakers are appropriately rated and functional. 

Transformer maintenance: check for signs of oil leakage or physical damage, and ensure cooling systems are operating properly and efficiently. 

Motor and drive inspection: inspect motor housings for buildup, verify all connections and mounting hardware are secure, and check that VFDs and other control systems are operating properly and no electrical components are loose or damaged. 

Wiring integrity: check all wiring for signs of wear or damage, and ensure all conduit and cable trays are secure and in good condition. 

Grounding and bonding check: inspect grounding electrodes and test the continuity of the grounding system. 

Backup power system maintenance: test and inspect backup generators or other stored energy systems for proper operation and check all fuel, oil, and coolant levels. 

Safety check: ensure that all safety signage, lighting, and sensors are visible and operational and that emergency shut-off points are clearly labeled and accessible. 

Given the complexity and widespread nature of many electrical systems, there is no shortage of areas to consider when performing electrical preventative maintenance. That said, you should always tailor your EMP to your specific needs to ensure all necessary inspections are completed. Being thorough and properly documenting each round of preventative maintenance will help protect your business against electrical failures. 

Partner with Crescent Electric Today 

Electrical preventative maintenance is a proactive step toward keeping unforeseen expenses out of your business — and we love helping our customers find as many ways to do that as possible. From our full lineup of the most innovative products on the market to our team of Application Engineers that can help identify areas of opportunity for your business, we’re excited to find the best ways to save you and your customers money. 

Get in touch with us today to learn how we can address your specific needs!