POWER DOWN, GEAR UP: ESSENTIAL ELECTRICAL MAINTENANCE DURING PLANT SHUTDOWNS

If your plant is heading into a scheduled shutdown, you’re in a great position to take care of critical maintenance tasks — especially electrical ones that are difficult or dangerous to perform during normal operations.

By using this downtime wisely, you can boost safety, reduce the risk of future breakdowns, and help ensure everything runs smoothly when production ramps back up.

Here are the key electrical maintenance activities the EAS team recommends during your shutdown:

Deep Clean Electrical Panels

Dust, moisture, and corrosion can quietly damage your electrical systems. During shutdown:

• ensure panels are cleaned inside and out.
• check for signs of wear, rust, or insect damage.
• ensure all connections are tightened to manufacturer specs.

Test Switchgear and Breakers

Your circuit breakers and switchgear must work instantly when needed. During this time, we recommend:

• testing insulation and contact points.
• operating breakers both manually and electronically.
• reviewing and updating arc flash safety labels if anything has changed.

Inspect UPS and Battery Backups

Your backup systems are only useful if they work when the power goes out. We can assist with:

• load-testing the system.
• checking for damaged or swollen batteries.
• cleaning terminals and verifying voltage is balanced.

Maintain Motor Control Centers (MCCs)

These systems run your motors and machines, so it’s important they’re in top shape. We recommend:

• Checking all wiring and control components.
• Testing for insulation and heat damage.
• Cleaning cabinets and confirming everything functions safely.

Verify Grounding and Bonding

Good grounding prevents electric shock and protects your systems from power surges. During shutdown, you should:

• Test grounding resistance.
• Inspect for damaged wires.
• Check lightning protection systems, if installed.

Test Emergency Power Systems

No one wants to find out their backup power isn’t working — during an emergency. With your plant powered down, it’s the perfect time to:

• Run generators under load.
• Simulate a power outage to test automatic switching.
• Confirm emergency lighting and alarms are functioning.

Ready to Restart Strong

Using shutdown periods for proactive electrical maintenance is one of the smartest things a plant can do. It reduces unplanned downtime, improves energy efficiency, and keeps your people and equipment safe.

Need help planning or carrying out your next maintenance shutdown? The EAS team is here to support you every step of the way. Just get in touch on 07 834 0505.