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Your electrical switchboard plays a vital role as the backbone of your electricity distribution system. That is why proper electrical switchboard maintenance contributes so much to an excellent power supply system. This article will consider how often you should service your electrical switchboard.
You can also read up on the signs that indicate electricity switchboards need maintenance, how to go about switchboard maintenance, and what to test for during electrical inspections. To wrap it up, you can learn when to invite professional electricians.
Signs switchboards need maintenance
Your electrical switchboard helps to distribute power to your electrical system. However, it is subject to wear and tear over time, just like other electrical components. The safe and efficient power distribution throughout your home or office may be compromised at such times.
This is why you should seriously consider the following signs of a switchboard that needs electrics maintenance. Frequently flickering or dimming lights may indicate a loose connection or an overload.
Frequently tripping circuit breakers may indicate a faulty component or an electrical load imbalance. A burning smell may indicate a problem with the control wiring or overheating.
Strange buzzing sounds may arise from failing components or loose wires. Feeling or noticing excess heat from your switchboard may indicate that a component has failed. Excess heat may pose the risk of electrical fires.
How to go about switchboard maintenance
Routine switchboard maintenance is necessary to avoid serious electrical issues over time. You can take steps to ensure that your wires and cables are cleaned and tidy. However, it is best to perform complex electrical maintenance by experienced electrical contractors.
Perform regular inspections
You can perform routine switchboard inspections in a bid to identify signs of wear and tear and corrosion. A licensed electrician can also test insulation resistance and check for burnt components or loose connections. Electrical inspections will enable you to detect potential hazards on time so that you can perform needed mechanical and electrical maintenance.
Gently clean the switchboard
Keeping your switchboard clean is a part of good switchboard electrics maintenance. It will help remove accumulated dust and dirt and thus reduce the potential for switchboard malfunctions.
You will also reduce the likelihood of short circuits and the risk of electrical fires. Remember to clean gently with compressed air or a soft brush. Also, turn off the power and do not wear wet clothes when cleaning the switchboard.
Check and tighten loose electrical system connections
Overheating can occur, and your electrical equipment can begin to fail if you have loose connections. As such, you should carefully check and tighten terminal connections. This includes wires, safety switches, circuit breakers, and fuses. Note that you may damage the connections if you over-tighten them.
Replace damaged components
Replacing worn-out or damaged electrical system components like burnt fuses and frayed wires is essential.
Prevent circuit overloads
You do not want to overload your switchboard, which can cause tripping circuit breakers and overheating. It is best to consult a licensed electrician to add more circuits.
Label circuit breakers or fuses
Proper labelling will make identifying and controlling circuit breakers or fuses easier. You can more easily isolate and shut off the electrical power supply to specific areas when performing regular maintenance. Your emergency electrician will also find the labelling useful.
Schedule routine maintenance and professional inspections
You can occasionally hire a professional electrician to inspect your switchboard for potential electrical issues. Electrical safety inspections are essential to safeguard your electrical system components and avoid potential health hazards. A qualified electrician can also regularly perform routine maintenance tasks.
How often to perform electrical safety inspections
Electrical safety inspections are necessary to keep you and your electrical equipment safe. You should get reputable electrical experts to perform a yearly safety inspection. However, the frequency of inspections depends on the type of building.
- Residential buildings can be inspected every 3 – 5 years.
- Inspect commercial buildings once a year.
- Perform electrical inspections on industrial buildings every 3 – 6 months.
How often to service electrical switchboards
The frequency of switchboard maintenance depends on several factors. This includes the age of the switchboard, its current conditions, and the operating environment.
For example, you must frequently maintain switchboards in industrial environments rather than residential buildings.
You can generally ensure that you perform routine switchboard inspections at least once a year. However, you can perform more frequent inspections if your home's requirement for power reliability is very high.
What to test for during electrical inspections
There are benefits to having a qualified electrician perform maintenance services on your electrical system. A major one is that the system components will be in their best condition.
Here are some aspects of your electrical system that you may expect to be tested:
Switchboard testing
Residential and commercial electricians usually have an electrical switchboard maintenance checklist for servicing switchboards. Such checklists can be used to test the functionality of electrical switchboard components.
Other switchboard testing processes include the following:
- Testing circuit breakers to see whether they trip correctly and at the correct current rating.
- The protective relays can be tested.
- Examining the functionality of power factor correction capacitors.
- Performing insulation resistance testing on cables and equipment.
- Conducting thermographic scanning to locate electrical switchboard system faults.
Testing safety switches and other mains switch systems
Testing safety switches and performing RCD testing is essential because well-functioning switches cut off the electrical supply when a fault is detected. Therefore, this helps prevent electrical surges and protect electrical system components.
You can usually press the test button and use the in-built test to test the system every three months. However, a trained electrician is needed to inspect safety switches during annual maintenance inspections.
Testing lighting systems
Here, your electrician looks at all the lights in your building. This includes downlights and outdoor security lighting. They can also perform emergency lighting testing procedures.
When to invite professional electricians
The services of professional electricians go beyond performing electrical system maintenance. Here are some occasions where you can invite your electrician in addition to performing electrical safety inspections.
When buying a home
Trained electricians can inspect the electrical systems of new homes for electrical issues. Such pre-purchase inspections can help you identify and fix defects before moving in.
They can check the main switchboard, power points, lights, and smoke alarms. This is important, especially for older homes with electrical system issues such as power outages and tripping circuits.
Emergency electrician services
Having an emergency electrician check your home's electrical system after emergencies such as storms and floods is essential. These electricians must arrive on time and identify serious electrical hazards that may cause property damage and threaten human life. They may subsequently perform electrical repairs and implement preventive maintenance of electrical equipment, such as installing surge protectors.
Smoke alarms and electrical appliance installation
You can invite your local electrician for electrical installations such as smoke alarms, ceiling fan installations, cooktop installations, lighting installations, and installation of power points.
Servicing and upgrades of electrical switchboards
You should know that switchboards installed earlier than the year 2000 may not meet up with current standards. In any case, switchboards tend to degrade over time, and you may need to check if you need a switchboard upgrade.
The professional electrician may do other mechanical, electrical, and physical checks besides checking the electrical wiring for overheated connections. For example, they may examine heat sinks, cooling fans, and exhaust fans.
Local electricians can service switchboards
This post has explored how often you should service your electrical switchboard. You have also gotten some insight on signs that indicate electricity switchboards need maintenance and how to go about switchboard maintenance. No doubt, there is a money-saving benefit in maintaining your electrical system.
This is more obvious if you use the services of experienced local electricians. They can help you implement energy-saving measures for electrical components such as electricity metering. They can also provide office electrical and data cabling services and perform needed switchboard upgrades.
