The Key Components of Electrical Problem Solving

The last thing you want when you’re on a tight production schedule is a power issue bringing things to a halt. Unfortunately, electrical faults can and do occur.

If you do experience a problem with your electrical systems and equipment, you’ll want to get things back up and running as quickly as possible, so it pays to have a plan. The quicker you can understand the cause of the fault, the faster you can solve the electrical problem.

How to identify electrical faults quickly

You should never take risks with electricity, but there are some things you can do to prevent faults from occurring or identify the source of the problem should issues occur.

Learn the basics of your electrical systems

We wouldn’t expect you to become electrical experts, but understanding the basics of your system can be hugely beneficial.

Ensure you have up-to-date schematics and wiring diagrams and know where essential components (such as distribution boards, circuit breakers and the main power supply) are located. Make sure your operators know where isolation switches are and how to shut off power to machines safely if there is a fault.

Prioritise safety

Electricity can be dangerous so always put safety first. Provide adequate training on how to identify electrical faults and how to deal with an electrical fire. Make sure you have adequate and accessible safety equipment and that operators know how to use it.

Put a systematic troubleshooting process in place

Use a systematic approach to troubleshooting. Identify the problem, isolate the impacted area, and test possible solutions. Keep records of any electrical or equipment issues. Document the possible causes and the steps you took to resolve the issues to make problem-solving easier and more efficient in the future.

Learn how to identify common electrical faults

Familiarise yourself with the most common electrical faults – short circuits, overloads, power surges and so on. Proactively look for signs of faults such as damaged wiring insulation, soot around sockets, burning smells, buzzing noises or sparking. If you see or hear anything that causes concern, take action. Don’t wait until the problem gets out of hand.

Invest in diagnostic tools and equipment

Invest in diagnostic tools such as multimeters, oscilloscopes, and thermal cameras so you can identify any anomalies that might indicate an electrical fault. Consider investing in control and automation systems that can automatically run diagnostics and provide real-time data and warning notifications.

Use predictive maintenance tools

Predictive maintenance involves using analytics to identify activity or trends that might lead to a part’s failure or a fault. This can prevent failures from occurring and ensure that your machinery is operating at optimal efficiency.

Put a preventative maintenance schedule in place

Replacing machinery and equipment is costly, so it makes sense to keep your assets in good working order. Plus, regular maintenance ensures your machinery and equipment run efficiently, which is better for your bottom line. Don’t wait for equipment to fail – put a proactive maintenance schedule in place.

Replace outdated and non-compliant electrical equipment

Electrical equipment and wiring should be tested and inspected regularly to ensure your electrical systems comply with regulations. If they don’t, you are not only putting your workers at risk, but you could be breaking the law. If you’re experiencing frequent electrical issues, then it might be time for an upgrade.

Train your teams

Put adequate training in place to ensure that your teams know how to identify warning signs and what action to take. Ensure they know how to use electrical equipment safely and how to shut down power.

Keep records

Keep records of diagnostics you run and any issues that have occurred. This can help you resolve recurring issues more efficiently and enable you to spot any trends or unusual activity. Control and automation systems can make data collection and record-keeping easier and more accurate.

Work with a specialist electrical contractor

You may be able to solve small electrical faults in-house, but it pays to have access to a trusted and reliable electrical contractor when you need them. They can help resolve recurring problems, fix any major faults, and ensure your electrical installations are kept efficient, safe and compliant.

Proactive preventative maintenance with AES

At AES, we specialise in electrical contracting services for manufacturers. If you haven’t got a strategy in place for managing the maintenance of your electrical installations, we can help.

We can install, test, inspect, service and maintain your lighting and emergency lighting and any electrical installations, including plant equipment and machinery. AES personnel are also CompEx accredited to work in ATEX areas.

Not only do we offer proactive and reactive maintenance and emergency callouts, but we also offer a range of specialist services for manufacturers to help reduce downtime.

These include energy storage, voltage optimisation, variable speed drives, and control and automation systems.

If you’d like to learn more about how AES can keep your factory running efficiently, get in touch with our expert team.