World Kidney Health Day – Why Getting Checked Matters

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On the face of it, you’d think Carey, our Managing Director, was a pretty normal, healthy guy. In fact, he’d probably say he was fitter and more active than plenty of people his age. But in 2017 he discovered he had kidney disease.

There were no obvious warning signs. Carey had been feeling a bit tired and run down for a while, but he put it down to the long hours involved in building a business and raising young kids. Like most parents, being tired just seemed part of the deal.

His wife Gemma encouraged him to get a check-up. Within days the results came back showing his kidney function (eGFR) had dropped to 21%. Carey was in Stage 4 kidney failure.

As you can imagine, it came as a massive shock.

Kidney disease often develops silently, with very few symptoms in the early stages. That’s why awareness and early detection are so important. A simple health check can make all the difference in identifying problems before they become life-threatening.

By 2020 Carey’s kidney function had declined further and he needed to begin peritoneal dialysis. This type of dialysis uses a fluid called dialysate to remove waste and excess fluid from the body. The fluid is placed into the abdominal cavity, where it absorbs waste products before being drained out. Each exchange takes around 30–40 minutes and is typically done several times a day.

Rather than letting dialysis define what he could or couldn’t do, Carey looked for ways to keep living as normally as possible. Being stuck in one place during treatment was frustrating, so he designed a mobile stand that allowed him to move around while connected to dialysis. The idea gave him the freedom to stay active around home and work while undergoing treatment.

Kidney disease currently has no cure, and for many people a transplant becomes the best long-term option. Carey spent time on the transplant waiting list while friends and family went through testing to see if they could become living donors.

During that time he also made lifestyle changes to support his health. That meant fewer beers with the boys, healthier food choices, and switching to an e-bike so he could still get out on the hills without exhausting himself. Staying active, he says, helped not just physically but mentally as well.

Then in 2021 came life-changing news. Carey received a kidney transplant thanks to the generous gift of a kidney from his mate, Piete Vreede.

While recovery requires ongoing medication and monitoring, the difference has been enormous. The freedom from dialysis and the renewed energy that comes with a functioning kidney has had a huge impact on daily life.

Carey continues to share his story to raise awareness of kidney disease and the importance of early detection.

Read more about Carey’s journey

World Kidney Day – Get Your Kidneys Checked

World Kidney Day on 12 March is a reminder that kidney disease can affect anyone — often without warning.

The good news is that simple tests can identify kidney disease early.

If you haven’t had your kidneys checked recently:

Early detection could make all the difference.

Fault Finding

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Downtime costs money. Lost production, missed deadlines, stressed teams. Faults are inevitable – wasted time isn’t. The key is a structured approach that finds the real cause quickly and fixes it properly the first time.

Here’s how we do it.

The Most Common Industrial Electrical Faults

Understanding what typically goes wrong helps you act faster when it does.

  • Open Circuits
    Part of the system stops working because it’s not receiving voltage. Often caused by burnt components, open coils, or loose terminals.
  • Short Circuits
    Insulation failure allows current to take the wrong path. This can trip breakers, damage components, and create wider issues.
  • Low Voltage
    Causes relays to chatter and motors to overheat, leading to insulation breakdown and premature failure.
  • Over Voltage
    Excess heat shortens the lifespan of motors, lighting, and sensitive components.
  • Electro-Mechanical Failures
    Worn or defective components — like stuck relays or failed pushbuttons – often show no visible signs.

The EAS Fault Finding Process

We don’t guess. We follow a clear, disciplined process.

  1. Get the Facts
    What was running? What changed? Any recent work done? Safety checks and lockout procedures come first – always.
  2. Observe
    Look for loose parts, overheating, unusual smells or sounds. Identify what’s working and what isn’t.
  3. Narrow the Area
    Eliminate functioning sections of the circuit to reduce testing time.
  4. Identify Likely Causes
    Blown fuses, failed coils, wiring faults, mechanical binding — start with the most probable.
  5. Test Properly
    Using the right tools:

  • Voltmeter for supply issues

  • Clamp meter for current draw

  • Ohmmeter for resistance faults

  • Thermal imaging for hidden hot spots

Sectionalise further if needed until the exact fault is located.

 

  • Replace and Verify
    Replace the faulty component and test the full system under load. If it’s not right, repeat the process – properly.

 

Why it Matters

Throwing parts at a problem wastes time and money.

A structured fault-finding process reduces downtime, protects equipment, and prevents repeat failures.

Don’t Let Downtime Run Your Plant

If you’re dealing with repeat trips, overheating motors, nuisance faults, or unexplained breakdowns, it’s time to get to the root cause.

Get in touch with EAS to book a fault-finding assessment and get your plant back running – properly.fault-finding-process-1

Newsletter Riddles: March 2026

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Newsletter Riddle 2: March 2026

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Newsletter Riddle Answers – Feb 2026

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Christmas Riddles 2025

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Riddle Answers – November 2025 Newsletter

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nov-25-riddles

Witch = 10; Jacko lantern = 5; Bat = 1

Jacko lantern + bat + witch = 16

Spotting Electrical Problems Before they Strike

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One of the tricky things about electrical systems is that you often can’t see faults until something fails – and by then, the damage (and cost) can be significant.

That’s where thermal imaging (thermography) comes in. It’s a non-intrusive, non-contact method that helps us spot issues you’d never see with the naked eye.

Using a specialised camera, we capture heat patterns in your electrical equipment. Abnormal heat is often the first sign that something’s not right – like loose connections, overloaded circuits, or failing components.

By detecting these problems early, we can fix them before they snowball into costly breakdowns, unplanned downtime, or even fire hazards.

Why Thermal Imaging Matters:

  • Catch hidden faults before they cause equipment failure

  • Cut down on expensive reactive repairs

  • Extend the lifespan of your electrical assets

  • Reduce downtime and keep your business running smoothly

 

When should you get a thermal imaging check?

Routine checks should be part of your preventative maintenance plan, but they’re especially valuable:

  • After major changes or upgrades to your electrical system

  • If you notice burning smells, hot spots, or overheating equipment

  • After electrical failures or unexplained faults

  • Following a power surge or electrical storm

What can we check with thermal imaging?

  • Electrical panels – detect hot spots from loose connections or overloads

  • Circuit breakers – identify faulty operation before failure or fire risk

  • Motors – monitor bearings, windings, and components for wear

  • Switches – spot overload issues early

  • UPS systems – check battery health and wiring

  • Generators – ensure reliability of key components

 

Why Choose EAS?

The EAS team are trained and experienced in thermal imaging inspections, giving you peace of mind that your electrical systems are safe, efficient, and reliable.

Get in touch to book your thermal imaging check today – Drop us a line or give us a call on 07 834 0505

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