Switchgears play an important role in the electrical systems of industrial sectors. Their main function is to isolate and protect equipment and circuits within a power distribution system. Given their critical role, it’s imperative to maintain switchgears effectively. As one of the leading electrical engineering companies in Kenya, we offer some tips for switchgear maintenance.
1.Regular Inspection and Cleaning:
A visual inspection can identify issues such as corrosion, physical damage, or loose connections in switchgears. Cleaning is equally important as accumulated dirt or sediments can hinder performance and precipitate significant problems later on.
2. Thermographic Inspections:
Infrared thermography can pinpoint hot spots in a switchgear. Overheating often signals underlying issues such as faulty components, loose connections, or overloaded circuits. Regular thermographic inspections can preemptively identify and address these concerns.
3.Tighten Loose Connections:
Loose connections can lead to problems such as arcing, equipment failure, and overheating. Periodically tightening electrical connections can mitigate these risks. Maintenance teams typically use specialised tools to ensure connections are tightened appropriately.
4. Functional Testing:
Regular functional tests on components such as circuit breakers and relays are essential. These tests can detect if the components operate correctly and activate when required.
5. Oil Analysis for Oil-filled Switchgear:
For oil-filled switchgears, routine oil analysis is crucial. This analysis can detect insulation deterioration and contaminants like water, which, if unaddressed, can lead to switchgear failure.
6. Clean and Lubricate Moving Parts:
Components such as circuit breaker mechanisms and disconnect switches require periodic lubrication. If the existing lubrication becomes ineffective, it’s essential to reapply, using the manufacturer-recommended lubricant.
7. Battery Maintenance:
Switchgears with battery backup systems need regular battery inspections. It’s vital to ensure the batteries are adequately charged and functional. If not, they should be replaced promptly.
8. Environmental Considerations:
Switchgears in corrosive environments demand extra maintenance. Applying anti-corrosion coatings can reduce damage and extend the equipment’s lifespan.
9. Emergency Response Planning:
It’s essential to have a comprehensive emergency response plan for switchgear failures. Industries should train personnel to handle electrical emergencies safely and maintain a stockpile of spare parts for vital components.
10. Qualified Personnel:
Only qualified and trained individuals should undertake switchgear maintenance. It’s crucial to ensure that the maintenance team is well-versed with the specific switchgear equipment they’re handling.
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Explore our electrical engineering solutions. As an EPC firm, we are deeply involved in all project phases, specializing in generation, distribution, and transmission services. Our expertise spans over 43 years in the electrical engineering domain, and we have honed our skills in various energy sources, both renewable and non-renewable, within East Africa. We are the go-to choice for many power plants, including hydro, geothermal, wind, and solar. Our capabilities also extend to diesel, HFO, and biomass power plants. We pride ourselves on our ability to install power lines and substations, even in challenging terrains. We can install power lines up to 500KV and have successfully delivered substations for various voltage grades. Our distribution expertise covers diverse sectors, from onshore gas plants and petroleum refineries to retail distribution sites and power plants. We also manage the procurement and maintenance of switchgear, process automation panels, soft starters, and motor control panels for industries such as oil, gas, food and beverage, aviation, shipping, and mining.