Tips from a Power Supply Manufacturer: How to Develop an Electrical Maintenance Program
Electrical control and distribution systems are not only complicated but very expensive assets that require effective maintenance in order to ensure peak performance over their operative life. It is not unusual to find businesses spend significant effort to manage mechanical assets, with very little focus spent on electrical equipment. The rationale for this concentration (or lack) of resources is plentiful, but does not, as per leading power supply manufacturers, justify the practice. In reality, asset management programs should be applied equally to electrical and mechanical components of the asset.
Simply put, power supply manufacturers report that most industrial environments are governed by a reactive mind-set instead of a proactive approach when it applies to electrical maintenance. Following are some tips from a Power Supply Manufacturer in order to effectively develop an electrical maintenance program that works.
Tips from a Power Supply Manufacturer
1. Assess your current company’s situation: Intimately know your current electrical environment and search for areas that need improvement.
2. Develop a vision for your electrical maintenance program. Without a vision, there is no plan – and when there is no plan – there is no effective goal achievement ~ translation: poor electrical maintenance program. Following is a more specific suggestion from a power supply manufacturer that might give a more precise “plan” development.
- An electrical planner will be employed within in the next three months.
- Strategies for less-critical equipment will be developed within the 24 months.
- A system for the upgrade and management of electrical drawings will be developed and implemented within the next 12 months.
- All strategies will maximize the use of condition-based maintenance.
- Tradesmen and other relevant personnel will be trained so they can effectively apply strategies.
- Implement down days for electrical equipment.
3. Obtain the support from an electrical work group: Developing a work group, from within, is a great way to brainstorm ideas. After all, these are the very people who know the plant the best. Ask them for ideas to be included in the grand vision. It’s far more advantageous for a group to support the vision and having a cumulative feeling of ownership.
4. Gain support from your management: If the management is not willing to support your vision, then there is usually little hope for success. However, there are ways to convince the “upper brass.” Document your plan; highlight the benefits and prospective gains. Most importantly, show how it will improve efficiency and save money. But be prepared for difficult questions – know your material and be confident.
5. Resources will be required: Know the resources that are required to make significant improvements to your electrical maintenance program. Speaking of resources doesn’t mean adding more people either. It may mean redeploying internal labor in order to improve overall efficiency. Leading power supply manufacturers assure you that once your program starts taking effect, the efficiency gains will offset the loss of labor on the floor.
