Know the Basics: Electrical System Maintenance

Your electrical system is a powerful element to your facilities, but often, it goes primarily unseen. It’s important that you ensure proper functionality and safety of this significant system to prevent fire and injury.

Electrical Preventative Maintenance Program

An Electrical Preventative Maintenance (EPM) Program is a system for regular checkups for your electrical system to ensure it is clean, cool and dry and to check that all connections are tight. You will need to:

Hire a licensed electrical contractor to inspect and test your facility’s electrical equipment for functionality and safety.
Schedule regular maintenance checkups at least every three years with your licensed electrician.
Verify each inspection in writing.
Document all routine maintenance activities and testing reports for trending purposes.
Track all repair and replacement of electrical components.
Update applicable drawings and maintenance schedules when changes are made to the electrical distribution system.
While hiring a professional may cost more up front, it’s worth it for long term savings and less worry.
Qualified electricians will have field work experience and continued training that allows them to best install, repair and evaluate electrical systems.
Obtain multiple bid and check references before deciding on a contractor.

Electrical System Age

All electrical equipment has a limited service life that can be furthered shortened by:

Repeated surges
Power outages
Load changes
Moisture
Dirt and debris

Older systems have a much greater occurrence of failure. Take these steps to identify and repair old and outdated electrical equipment in your facilities:

Hire a licensed electrician to inspect all buildings or parts of buildings over 30 years in age.
Consider upgrading electrical fuses to circuit breakers.
Install Fustat® adaptors where you have screw-in fuses to prevent the use of an oversized fuse on an electrical circuit.
Upgrade outdated knob-and-tube wiring to modern wiring that includes circuit breakers.
Ensure all electrical junction boxes, outlets and switches are properly covered.
Ensure all electrical panels have proper doors or covers that close completely.
Identify recurring electrical problems and discuss them with your licensed electrician.
You will need to have the inspection of your 30 year and older equipment verified in writing.
Make sure all necessary and suggested upgrades are completed to verify the safety of your electrical system and prevent a potential electrical fire.

Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers are a built-in safety mechanism that protect your electrical system from damage. You must ensure the breakers in your facility are properly installed and maintained by checking that these items are complete:

Correctly and legibly mark or label circuit breakers to indicate their purpose.
Do not restrict breakers from being tripped by taping or altering them.
Ensure the breaker box panel is solid with no gaps or open spaces between the breakers.
Install appropriate spaces between breakers if there are gaps or spaces.

Extension Cords

An extension cord is a helpful tool in temporary situations when you are not able to install additional electrical services. However, as they are generally composed of a light gauge wiring, they can create a potential severe fire hazard. It is important to choose the right extension cord for the intended purpose:

Purchase extension cords from reputable distributors and retailers.
Ensure your extension cords are certified by a nationally-recognized testing laboratory, such as Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
Choose an extension cord with the appropriate gauge of wire for its use.
Only use extension cords rated for outdoor use in an outdoor setting.

Choosing an appropriate extension cord is the first step. Next, you will need to take the below precautions in using extension cords in your facilities:

Use a single extension cord at one time rather than multiple cords plugged into one another.
Do not use an extension cord in place of permanent wiring.
Use appropriate cord clamps to secure extension cords rather than nailing or stapling them down.
Use polarized extension cords with polarized appliances.
Use three-wire extension cords for appliances with three-prong plugs.
Do not alter or remove the third prong (ground pin) in a three-wire plug as it is a safety feature.
Do not run extension cords through walls, under rugs or across doorways.
Uncoil, unloop and unknot extension cords before use.
Do not place extension cords in areas where they are likely to suffer damage by heavy furniture or foot traffic.
Avoid placing extension cords where they may pose a tripping hazard.

Periodically, check all of your extension cords for damage. If an extension cord feels hot, the plastic has softened or you discover damage to the insulation, you must discard the cord and replace it with a new one. Do not attempt to repair or continue use with a damaged extension cord, as these damaged cords pose a fire hazard.

Additional Items

Discuss any questions you have about your electrical system with your licensed electrician. Your electrician is also able to help you check that the below items are complete:

Ensure light fixtures are permanently mounted to the base and not hanging unsupported by wires.
Ensure electrical equipment and panels are kept clean and try.
Do not use multiple-tap electrical outlet adapters due to the risk of overheating.
Do not use renewable fuses.
Do not use cartridge fuse clip clamps.
Ensure a safety disconnect is installed between the air conditioning condensing unit and the main electrical service panel.
Equip electrical outlets within 36 inches of a water source with Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCI).

If you are located in a building that was not built for its present occupancy, you will need an inspection to ensure the electrical system can handle the present occupancy. Similarly, your facilities will need to be inspected if they have undergone significant modification or expansion.