Keys for electrical maintenance

In companies or factories where high loads are handled by machinery operation or processes where production lines cannot be stopped, it is crucial that the flow of electrical energy is in optimal conditions. Otherwise, the costs of equipment repair or plant shutdown can be extremely high.

It must be remembered that, in the industrial field, having energy flowing constantly and safely is not a matter of luck, it is thanks to a good electrical maintenance plan. Furthermore, in a context where energy efficiency and sustainability in Mexico are key, having a robust electrical maintenance program should be seen as an investment and not an expense. This brings high benefits in the optimization and performance of electrical systems, extension of the useful life of equipment and compliance with current regulations in this country.

What is electrical maintenance management?

Electrical maintenance management is a comprehensive strategy that involves the planning, execution and supervision of activities aimed at preserving or restoring electrical installations so that they have optimal operating conditions.

According to the Official Mexican Standard NOM-029-STPS-2011, this management must include the elaboration of work plans, continuous training of personnel, analysis of potential risks and the implementation of specific safety procedures for maintenance tasks in various business sectors.

The activities corresponding to the electrical maintenance of equipment, components or network systems must be carried out by professionals or technicians with specialized knowledge. This is essential because the testing and repair of electrical equipment will not only correct current faults, but also prevent future problems that could cause a loss of power or an electrical fire.

How many types of electrical maintenance are there?

There are three essential types of electrical maintenance:

• Preventive maintenance: focuses on carrying out periodic inspections, tests and adjustments to detect possible faults before they occur. This activity includes alternating current tests, battery charging, voltage checks, among other characteristics that affect the useful life of the equipment.
• Corrective maintenance: is carried out when a fault or breakdown occurs in the electrical system. Its objective is to repair or replace damaged components to restore the installation to normal operation.
• Predictive maintenance: this is a recommended practice to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs. Companies often carry it out using real-time data monitoring and analysis techniques to anticipate possible failures, allowing interventions to be scheduled before breakdowns occur.

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Examples of electrical maintenance

Based on NOM-029, some specific examples that illustrate the diversity of tasks involved in industrial electrical maintenance and other areas may be:

• Maintenance of electric motors: as they are central to many industries, this involves a preventive phase, visual inspection of the connections to ensure that they are tight and not overheating; insulation of cables, checking that they are not damaged or exposed; cleaning of the motor and ventilation free of obstructions and lubrication of the bearings.
• Maintenance of electrical substations: which are essential for the distribution of energy. This maintenance includes checking the oil level, temperature, the condition of the connections and the operation of the transformer cooling system, as well as the insulation of high-voltage cables that could generate electric arcs or explosions.
• Maintenance of emergency power plants: these are vital to ensure the continuity of operations in the event of power failures. In this activity, periodic tests are carried out to verify that the plant starts and operates correctly under load. The connections, insulation and operation of the voltage regulator are also checked.
• Maintenance of electrical systems: this includes the inspection and testing of electrical panels, checking of lighting and wiring, and verification of the continuity and resistance of the grounding system.
• Maintenance of backup systems and electrical protection: these are vital for operational continuity and the protection of electronic equipment against power surges and other electrical anomalies. Preventive maintenance in this case covers the periodic checking of batteries (in UPS), the verification of the functioning of regulators and the checking of the protection capacity of surge suppressors. These actions, carried out by trained personnel, prevent failures in these critical systems and ensure their reliability.

Benefits of electrical maintenance

Well-implemented electrical maintenance brings several advantages, such as:

• Improved safety: thanks to the reduction in the risk of workplace accidents and/or damage to installations caused by electrical faults.
• Increased availability and operational continuity: of electrical systems, minimizing downtime due to unscheduled stoppages.
• Energy efficiency: as it detects and corrects inefficiencies in the electrical system, which also translates into economic savings.
• Regulatory compliance: by ensuring that installations comply with current Mexican regulations, avoiding penalties and improving the company’s reputation.
• Extended service life: of electrical equipment and installations by preventing premature wear and tear.

How to carry out electrical maintenance?

For any activity related to the inspection and correction of electrical systems, it is important to have an effective maintenance plan that includes the recommendations of official standards. Some important steps are:

1. Classify electrical equipment according to its importance, with the aim of identifying critical assets in order to schedule more periodic checks.
2. Review previous maintenance records to establish patterns of failures and recurring problems.
3. Continuously train the personnel who will carry out the different types of maintenance. These workers must have the necessary training and skills to perform the tasks safely.
4. Assess the risks associated with maintenance tasks in order to implement appropriate control measures.
5. Establish a schedule with dates, responsible parties, instructions, adjustments and costs for each activity to be implemented.
6. Carry out periodic tests and checks with personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure that electrical equipment and systems comply with established safety and performance standards.
7. Record the results of the tests carried out to maintain a performance history including records of inspections, tests, repairs and updates.

In conclusion, electrical maintenance seeks to prevent risks and ensure optimal conditions for electrical installations. It ranges from visual inspections to specialized tests.

At Industronic we have highly trained personnel to help you identify electrical faults or execute the electrical maintenance plan in your company. Contact us!