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.

 

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As we head into the Christmas season, now is the perfect time to ensure that all your maintenance checks are up-to-date. Taking proactive steps now will allow you to enjoy a well-deserved break confident that your equipment is in top notch condition with low risk of an unexpected breakdown.

 

Are you up-to-date with:

• Thermal Inspections:
  Do you need a thermal inspection of your key equipment? These inspections can quickly identify potential overheating issues or faults that could lead to costly breakdowns.
• Routine Maintenance:
  Are you up-to-date with all your routine maintenance inspections. Ensuring your equipment has been properly serviced can prevent minor issues from escalating.
• Lighting Systems:
  Have you checked your lighting systems to ensure there are no faulty bulbs and your emergency lighting is operational and compliant?
• Testing & Tagging:
  Is all your electrical equipment tested and tagged as required.  Up-to-date testing ensures compliance with safety regulations and reduces risks.
• Backup Power Systems:
  Is your backup power system well-maintained and ready to use? Testing generators and UPS systems now can save you from unexpected downtime during a critical period.

Don’t leave these jobs to the last minute, the countdown to Christmas is underway, now is the ideal time to tackle these essential maintenance jobs.

 

But don’t worry if a breakdown does occur over the holiday break – the EAS team will be here to support you with 24/7 cover.  Just give us a call on 07 847 0505 and you’ll be put in touch with our on call technician.

 

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