In this age of high-powered appliances, installing an up-to-date switchboard is essential to maintaining an efficient and safe home electrical system. At the heart of nearly every home’s electrical system is the switchboard. The switchboard is the main hub of electrical distribution in a home, connecting the power to the different circuits. Proper maintenance and the involvement of a professional electrician are key elements to safe switchboard maintenance.
A switchboard is a collection of electrical components, such as fuses, circuit breakers, switches, residual current devices, and meters. These components work together to ensure the safe and efficient distribution of power to the required parts of the electrical system. If any component fails, it can affect the overall functionality of the switchboard. Therefore, it is critical to maintain a good maintenance program to ensure that the switchboard and its components are safe, reliable, and meet regulatory standards.
This article explains the basics of switchboard maintenance, including types of maintenance, step-by-step procedures, and the benefits that maintenance provides.
1. Importance of switchboard maintenance
Maintaining your switchboard and its components can provide several significant benefits, including:
- Improves reliability and performance of electrical systems: Proper maintenance of your switchboard ensures it operates at its best without power interruptions.
- Minimize downtime and costly interruptions: Regular inspections can detect potential issues early before they develop into long-term and costly problems, allowing for proactive repairs and minimizing costly downtime.
- Improved electrical safety: A well-maintained switchboard reduces the risk of electrical hazards, protecting occupants and personnel from accidents.
- Extend component life: Regular maintenance such as cleaning and inspection is essential to identify signs of wear and tear on switchboard components. This preventative approach helps identify old parts that need to be replaced, thereby extending the overall life of the switchboard.
- Keep your switchboards compliant: Regular maintenance prevents penalties and legal issues related to switching.
According to Article 408 of the National Fire Protection Administration (NFPA) National Electrical Code (NEC), regular inspections are key to catching small problems early and reducing risks before they become major problems.
2. Scheduled maintenance vs. preventive maintenance
- Scheduled maintenance includes all scheduled maintenance tasks, including minor cleaning, tightening and repairs. Regular inspections help detect minor problems such as reduced insulation resistance or worn control wiring before they escalate into catastrophic failures such as circuit breaker failure or overheating of the voltage switchboard.
In addition to preventing unplanned downtime, electrical equipment inspections help maintain electrical equipment.
This applies particularly to low-voltage switchboards, which play a vital role in efficiently distributing power in systems widely used in hospitals, data centers, and many other commercial industries.
- Preventive maintenance involves regular inspections, testing, and care to detect and resolve potential problems before they lead to failures or safety hazards. During the installation of new switchboards, inspectors must check them for any signs of damage. If the inspector finds any signs of wear, appropriate measures must be taken to prevent damaged components from interfering with the switchboard function.
Performing preventive maintenance on a semi-annual or annual basis is essential to extend the life of switchboard equipment through basic procedures and tasks. The intervals for maintenance inspections may vary depending on the amount of use and environmental conditions of each installation. It is recommended that most settings perform routine inspections every six months. However, high-use environments may require monthly inspections. It is recommended to conduct inspections every year at the most. Always inspect the switchboard after experiencing an external electrical fault.
3. Signs to update a switchboard
As technology evolves and households become more reliant on sophisticated appliances, your switchboard needs to keep up.
- If your electrical system is frequently experiencing tripped safety switches, blown fuses, flickering lights, or short circuits, this could be a sign that your existing switchboard needs an upgrade. Knowing when to install a new panel is critical to ensuring the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical supply.
- Safety switch trips frequently: If your safety switch trips frequently, it could be a sign of a problem with your switchboard. Keep track of how often your safety switch trips and have an electrician check your panel to see if there are any issues. Now might be a good time to install a new panel.
- Blown fuses and tripped circuit breakers: While it’s common to have a fuse blow or a circuit breaker trip occasionally, having it happen repeatedly could be a sign that your switchboard is unable to keep up with the power demands of your appliances. Upgrading to a more modern panel can resolve this issue.
- Flickering lights: Flickering lights can be caused by an overloaded switchboard or a power problem. While this may be a minor issue with a light fixture, if it occurs in multiple rooms, it could be a sign that the switchboard needs to be upgraded.
- Older switchboard technology: An outdated switchboard with ceramic fuses may not provide the same high degree of protection as a modern switchboard with safety switches and circuit breakers. Upgrading your switchboard can improve the safety and performance of your home’s electrical system.
- Adding high-power appliances: A switchboard upgrade may be necessary if you plan on adding high-power appliances or equipment to your home, such as an air conditioner or electric hot water system.
- Signs of wear and tear: Over time, wear and tear on your switchboard can cause safety issues. Regularly inspect your panel for signs of damage, such as frayed or rusted wires, and consult a licensed electrician if you notice any issues.
Knowing when to upgrade your switchboard is critical to the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system. Pay close attention to the warning signs above, and don’t hesitate to consult a professional electrician who can evaluate your panel and recommend the best course of action.
4. Inspection and cleaning
Before starting maintenance, the switchboard must be completely de-energized and isolated from the electrical system to avoid the risk of electric shock to technicians and damage to equipment.
- Check the area around the switchboard for any debris that has not been cleared away, and do not store items in front of or around the switchboard that could obstruct access during an emergency or scheduled maintenance. This will ensure that you can easily reach and operate the switchboard when needed.
- Vacuum any dirt or dust inside the switchboard. Wipe all busbars, insulators, and cables with a clean, dry, lint-free cloth.
- Carefully inspect the inside of the switchboard for moisture, condensation, or any signs of previous moisture. Moisture will damage the insulation system and cause rapid oxidation of current-carrying parts. Check all conduit entries and cracks between enclosure panels for leaks. Condensation in conduits can be a source of moisture and must not be allowed to drip onto live parts or insulation. Take necessary steps to eliminate moisture and seal any leaks.
- Inspect the power strip for signs of overheating. Discoloration and peeling of insulation or metal parts are signs of overheating. If overheating has occurred, make sure any conditions that caused it have been corrected. Loose or contaminated connections can cause overheating, which can lead to premature component failure. Make sure the power strip area is well-ventilated to prevent heat buildup.
- It is critical to carefully inspect all equipment for obvious wear, cracks, or missing parts, and to replace worn or damaged electrical system components, such as burned-out fuses and frayed wires.
- Manually turn switches and circuit breakers on and off several times to verify that they are functioning properly. Exercise circuit breakers at least once a year to ensure they are functioning properly.
- Verify that all key interlocks and door interlocks are functioning properly.
- Label your circuit breakers or fuses. Proper labeling will make it easier to identify and control your circuit breakers or fuses. It will make it easier for you to isolate and shut off power to specific areas when performing scheduled maintenance. Your emergency electrician will also find the labels helpful.
Schedule routine maintenance and professional inspections. You can occasionally hire a professional electrician to inspect your switchboard for potential electrical problems. Electrical safety inspections are essential to protecting your electrical system components and avoiding potential health hazards. A qualified electrician can also perform routine maintenance tasks on a regular basis.
5. What to test during an electrical inspection
There are many benefits to hiring a qualified electrician to perform maintenance services on your electrical system. Chief among them is that the system components will be in optimal condition. Here are some aspects of your electrical system that you may want to test:
Switchboard testing: Residential and commercial electricians typically have a switchboard maintenance checklist for servicing switchboards. Such a checklist can be used to test the functionality of switchboard components.
- Test the circuit breaker to see if it trips properly and is rated for the correct current.
- The protection relay can be tested.
- Check the functionality of the power factor correction capacitors.
- Perform insulation resistance tests on cables and equipment.
- Perform thermal imaging scans to locate switchboard system faults.
- Testing safety switches and other power-switching systems
Testing safety switches and performing RCD tests is essential because a well-functioning switch will cut off the power supply when a fault is detected. Therefore, this helps prevent power surges and protect electrical system components.
Typically, you can test the system every three months by pressing the test button and using the built-in tests. However, a trained electrician is required to check the safety switch during an annual maintenance check.
6. When to invite a professional electrician
The services of a professional electrician are not limited to performing electrical system maintenance. In addition to performing electrical safety inspections, you can also call on an electrician for the following occasions.
1). When buying a house
A trained electrician can inspect your new home’s electrical system for electrical problems. This type of pre-purchase inspection can help you find and repair defects before you move in.
They can check the main switchboard, electrical outlets, lights, and smoke alarms. This is important, especially in older homes with electrical system issues such as blackouts and tripping circuit breakers.
2). Emergency Electrician Services
After emergencies such as storms and floods, it is crucial to have an emergency electrician inspect your home’s electrical system. These electricians must arrive on time and identify serious electrical hazards that could cause property damage and threaten human life. They may then perform electrical repairs and perform preventative maintenance on electrical equipment, such as installing surge protectors.
3). Switchboard repairs and upgrades
You should be aware that switchboards installed before the year 2000 may not meet current standards. Regardless, switchboards degrade over time and you may want to check if you need to upgrade your switchboard.
In addition to checking wires for overheated connections, professional electricians may also perform other mechanical, electrical, and physical inspections. For example, they may check radiators, cooling fans, and exhaust fans.
7. Conclusion
Switchboards are an essential part of modern electrical systems. We must maintain switchboards regularly to ensure they run smoothly. However, switchboards have many moving parts that are interconnected. While you can perform small-scale inspections and inspections, intensive electrical work on electrical switchboards should only be performed by professional electricians. This is because there is a risk of electrocution or worse, electrical fires. Due to their complexity, maintenance tasks must be performed by skilled, licensed professionals. In addition to these tasks, crews must also record all assessments and repairs, as well as recommend upgrades, to ensure safety and productivity.