Switchgear Maintenance & Testing

What Is Switchgear Maintenance?

Switchgear is an industry term that refers to the main service entrance equipment and serves as a means of disconnect for all other downstream electrical equipment. If the switchgear fails in a commercial or industrial setting, the results can be catastrophic, and this is why switchgear maintenance should be a crucial part of your ongoing preventive and predictive maintenance.

NFPA and OSHA require this equipment to be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations or industry standards to reduce the risk associated with failure. Keeping the switchgear well maintained will ensure all the various components are in good working order and functioning correctly. Our team at Craft Electric & Maintenance provides peace of mind in switchgear maintenance so you can feel confident that your system is running well and focus on other parts of the business.

Why Is Switchgear Maintenance Important?

Just like an automobile, there are specific maintenance requirements that the manufacturer recommends to keep the equipment safe and ensure it is operating as designed. When switchgear malfunctions, the consequences are often catastrophic. At Craft Electric & Maintenance, we understand preventative maintenance is essential for safety and extending equipment life. When you give maintenance the thought and effort it deserves, you improve safety, reliability, uptime, and profitability.

How Can Craft Electric & Maintenance Help With Switchgear Maintenance?

Craft Electric & Maintenance can have a consultant evaluate your service entrance equipment (switchgear) and recommend specific maintenance and testing procedures based on the age and condition of the equipment and the environment in which it operates.

An effective and thorough inspection of the switchgear should be performed as well as recommended best practices for testing. Here are some examples of switchgear preventive maintenance that Craft Electric & Maintenance may perform:

• Contact resistance testing of bus connections, cable terminations, and overcurrent protective devices
• Insulation resistance testing
• Cleaning
• Inspect for physical damage
• Check for proper lubrication
• Verify the correct functioning of drawout disconnecting and grounding contacts and interlocks.
• Test relays 
• Look for cracked insulation and broken leads
• Check the tightness of connections and identify defective wiring 
• Verify that primary and secondary fuse or circuit breaker ratings match drawings.

For more information on switchgear maintenance, please click the button below to speak with an expert.

What Type of Switchgear Maintenance Reporting Do We
Provide?

NFPA 70E, Article 205.3 states: Electrical equipment shall be maintained in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions or industry consensus standards to reduce the risk associated with failure. The equipment owner or owner’s designated representative shall be responsible for maintenance of the electrical equipment and documentation.

Craft Electric & Maintenance generates documentation of their findings and recommendations for corrective action. We use various maintenance and testing methods based on recommended industry standards.

Why Choose Craft Electric & Maintenance for Switchgear Maintenance?

Craft Electric & Maintenance has the experience necessary to help move your project forward and strictly complies with the national electrical code. We are NFPA 70E compliant for electrical safety in the workplace. We will not put your company and staff at risk or our employees.

We ALWAYS follow current NFPA 70B standards or industry best practices. We have technicians properly trained in the use of switchgear maintenance and testing, and we are ready to help you when you need it most. We offer 24/7 emergency service to existing clients. We understand that you often need a quick response for services, and we strive for a one-week turnaround on proposals.