Tips For Maintaining Your Electrical System
We all keep our homes well-maintained to create a pleasant environment, but do you also take care of your electrical system? The electrical system in your home, office or commercial building needs regular maintenance to avoid any dangerous situations.
Did you know that there are 8,000 electrical fires on average every year in the UK? To prevent this from happening, you must take proper care of your electrical wiring and other such components.
If you’re not sure where to begin, here are some important tips for maintaining your electrical system.
What Is Electrical Maintenance?
If you are new to electrical system maintenance, here are some important things to remember. This testing process ensures that your system stays in good working order.
In electrical system maintenance, you would typically inspect, test and repair any electrical component as required. Doing so will ensure that there is an accidental power cut or an electrical fire.
This process can be done in a household, an office or a business space. Since these areas are always occupied by people, you must conduct a maintenance to ensure everyone’s safety.
Electrical maintenance also helps you cut down on costs in the long run. After all, if you take care of your equipment, there will be no need to buy expensive replacement parts.
This maintenance process is often conducted by an electrician or maintenance personnel who understands the necessary steps.
In some situations, you can carry out maintenance yourself, but you must have proper knowledge about the process.
Otherwise, you can end up injuring yourself and damaging the system. Your electrician will follow an electrical maintenance checklist to perform the inspection in the right order.
During this time, anybody in the maintenance area should follow electrical safety rules to avoid accidents. These steps highlight the basis of electrical system maintenance.
From appliances to switches and sockets, electrical systems are a necessary part of our daily lives. So make sure to take regular care of these systems and avoid hazardous situations.
Important Factors In An Electrical System Maintenance
Before you begin your maintenance process, there are some important elements to keep in mind.
These elements will help you prepare well for the maintenance process. These include the following.
Inventory
Before starting the maintenance, make sure that every single piece of electrical equipment on your property is catalogued.
You should also list this equipment according to the level of harm that would occur if it failed. Use the inventory as a checklist to help you get started on the process.
Inspection
Every single item on your inventory list will need a regular inspection. However, the length of the inspection may vary. Some equipment might need a check every year; this includes essential items or equipment that deteriorates faster because of its working conditions.
These items will need frequent inspection. This is why an inventory will make the inspection process much faster.
Routine Testing And Observation
Regular testing and observation are great ways to check for any failing components. When you are conducting your inspection, look for unusual sounds, smells or visual aspects that indicate a failing component.
Check for debris or dust that could cause a fire. This is the basic method of testing and observation.
In some cases, you might need to do more thorough testing of your electrical components. This will evaluate the reliability of your products and let you identify potential problems.
Keeping A Record
Keeping a record will help you stay on top of your regular maintenance.
Make sure to extensively record information about all your electrical equipment. This also includes a report for every problem that you might encounter during the testing and observation phase.
Report every replacement, correction, maintenance date and other relevant information. Even little problems should get noted down for future reference.
If a light took too long to come up or if you replaced a screw in a piece of equipment, make sure to note this down in your record.
While this might seem time-consuming, it’s going to help you a great deal in the future. Technicians can easily check the records to speed up the maintenance process.
Replace And Repair
This is often the final element in any electrical system maintenance. Any underperforming or faulty equipment should be repaired, replaced or adjusted based on what is needed.
This part is all about making significant changes to the system to maintain its proper working condition.
One great way to speed up this process is by making a list of all the parts for each electrical machine.
You can also write the identification for the part, how to order and troubleshoot them to make the process easier. Keeping everything organised will make the maintenance smoother.
Analyse The Information
This is not a common element in electrical system maintenance, but it can be very helpful.
As with any detailed information, it is best to keep all your electrical data organised because it will greatly help you in the future.
Over time, you’ll have enough data to accurately predict how your electrical components will behave. It will also help you plan ahead when a component is at the end of its lifespan. This information can be highly cost-effective if used right.
What Steps To Follow For Electrical System Maintenance?
Now that you know all the ins and out of electrical system maintenance, here are a few steps to help you prepare for the inspection.
Don’t miss out on any of these steps, as they ensure your health and safety.
Step 1: Always Use The Right Safety Equipment
Always remember, safety first! Make sure that you have all the necessary electrical safety equipment when working around or with electrical systems. A few important items include:
- A hard hat
- Insulated gloves
- Insulated matting
- Safety boots
- Goggles
- A face shield (if needed)
Apart from this gear, you might need specific safety equipment depending on the electrical component. Make sure to check the required gear before your inspection.
Step 2: Shut Off The Power Supply
Anytime you inspect an electrical system, always shut off the power before starting the work. This is the best way to reduce the risk of an electrical shock. Also, make sure you carefully inspect the component first before handling it. This will reduce any potential shock.
Step 3: Look Out For Standing Water
Standing water might seem harmless, but it can lead to fatal accidents if not taken care of. When water comes into contact with electricity, it can cause severe electric shock.
Some examples of standing water include rainwater, puddles etc. Even standing in still water can lead to harmful situations. Always keep your working area dry for a safety inspection.
Step 4: Inspect Equipment For Visible Damage
Before you officially start the maintenance, check for any visible damage. Check for any broken insulation, frayed wiring or other signs of equipment damage.
Avoid using any component that is already damaged, as this will reduce potential hazards.
Step 5: Maintain A Schedule For Inspections
Create a schedule for your electrical system inspection to find and fix any problems before they turn into bigger and more costly issues. This will also help you stay on track and finish the job more efficiently.
Important Tips For Maintaining Your Electrical System
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some important tips to make sure your electrical system maintenance goes smoothly.
Frequent Blown Fuses And Trips
If you frequently experience this problem, there might be an issue with your electrical system. If you don’t treat this quickly, it could lead to expensive damages in the future. Contact a professional electrician to safely handle this component.
Get The Appropriate Wiring
This tip will help you avoid problems in the future. Never use regular electrical cables and equipment outdoors, especially if they aren’t approved for this environment.
Indoor electrical wiring and system are not designed to withstand harsh outdoor elements. Using them outside their appropriate setting could lead to hazards.
Keep A Clear Cord Area
Avoid bending your cabling around furniture or placing them under carpets. Always keep them visible and clear, as they could pose a tripping hazard.
In a more serious situation, it can lead to an electrical fire. As avoid resting cables on a hot surface, as it can damage the wiring as well.
Get Rid Of Frayed Wiring
If any wiring in your electrical system or appliance has become frayed, it is best to just replace them entirely instead of making repairs.
These types of wires can easily lead to electrical fires. Replacing them completely will ensure they don’t become a hazard in the future.
Childproof Your Appliances
Children are naturally curious, and we all know they like to explore. Always take necessary precautions to ensure young children never come into contact with your electrical sockets and plugs. You install simple covers on these systems to avoid potential hazards.
Don’t Force Plugs
If your plug doesn’t fit into your socket, avoid forcing them in any way. Even any adjustment to force the plug in will ruin your socket. Also, you will end up damaging your plugs. So, make sure to only buy the appropriate plug for your socket.
Upgrade Your Sockets
Make sure to upgrade your plugs or sockets when needed. Sticking with one system way past its lifespan can end up damaging your electrical system. Even if the socket becomes loose from its place, you must upgrade them to something more efficient.
Never Overload Systems
One of the biggest culprits of electric system problems is overloading. Often the main cause of all your home electrical issues is overloading.
To prevent this issue, start by understanding how much power your sockets provide. All electronic devices and appliances take a different level of power.
So if you plug a high-voltage appliance into a low-voltage socket, you can create serious damage to your electrical system.
Understand Electrical Capacity
Speaking of power levels, different electrical systems have their own electrical capacity. The best indicator is how new or old the system is.
In most older homes, the electrical system will have a lower capacity. However, modern appliances and electronic systems are designed with a higher capacity which means they need more power.
As we’ve said, high capacity appliances can overload and damage your system. If you live in an older home, you might need to upgrade your electrical system to avoid future damage.
What Are The Benefits Of Maintaining Your Electrical System?
Maintaining your electrical system is not only great for improving its functionality. Here are all the great benefits of regularly maintaining your systems.
Cost-Effectiveness
The biggest benefit of maintaining your electrical system is cost-effectiveness. Electrical fires, failures and appliance outages can cost a lot of money.
If you run a business and experience these issues frequently, you could end up wasting a lot of money. Electrical maintenance reduces most major issues and reduces the need for expensive replacements.
Better Efficiency
Electrical maintenance also helps you use your appliances to their best abilities. With regular maintenance, your electrical system keeps operating smoothly and keeps a longer lifespan.
Without routine inspection, your system will fail more often and lead to hazardous situations. Efficient appliances will also help reduce excess energy consumption so you can have a worry-free experience.
Maintain Safety
As convenient as electrical systems are, they can be highly dangerous. By maintaining your electrical systems, you greatly reduce the risk of future hazards such as electrocution and electrical fires.
Tips To Maintain Electrical Safety At Home
Taking care of your electrical system is just one part of maintaining safety. Here are some additional electrical safety tips so you can enjoy peace of mind while enjoying your favourite appliances.
Always Follow Appliance Instructions
One of the best ways to practice safety is by following appliance instructions. Understanding how your electrical system or appliance works is a surefire way of avoiding any future problems.
If you experience the slightest shock from your appliance, immediately stop using it and consult a qualified electrician.
Look For Signs Of Overloading
As we’ve mentioned before, overloading can lead to serious electrical damage. To ensure the safety of yourself and your appliance, always check for signs of overloading.
Check if the sockets and devices are cool to the touch and are in proper working condition. You can also add protective faceplates to outlets for added security.
Repair Or Replace Damaged Electrical Cords
Damaged power cables pose a serious residential electrical safety risk. These wires are capable of causing both electrocution and fires. Always check your power cables and extension card for signs of cracking and fraying.
Never staple your wiring into place or run then under the carpet, as this can damage the insulation on the cable. If your cables have suffered any damage, repair or replace them as necessary.
If you find yourself using too many extension cables on a regular basis, you may need to add more outlets. Contact a professional electrician to install additional sockets where you often use extension cables. This will evenly distribute the power load in your home.
Unplug Unused Devices
One of the simplest pieces of electrical safety advice is unplugging all your unused devices; however, it’s easy to forget this sometimes.
By doing this, you can protect your appliances from overheating and power surges. That’s not all; unplugging unused devices can also cut down energy consumption through the phantom drain. With this tip, you can kill two birds with one stone.
If you feel like you might forget to take these appliances off, invest in smart plugs. At Meteor Electrical, you can find high-quality smart plugs which make it easy to keep track of your appliances.
Give Appliances Space
Without air circulation, your electrical appliances can overheat or blow out. This can lead to a fire hazard.
Make sure your devices have proper air circulation. This also includes no electrical equipment running in enclosed spaces.
For even more safety, put away any flammable electrical system from other appliances. Pay special attention to your electric or gas devices, as they need to be placed at least a foot from the wall to work safely.
Keep Exhaust Fans Clean
Some electrical devices have exhaust fans which can get clogged with debris. This will cause the appliance to overexert itself and work harder.
Overexertion can greatly reduce the lifespan of the device and lead to a risk of an electrical fire. Clogged fans can also increase the buildup of dangerous gasses, which can lead to more hazardous situations. Make sure to clean your exhaust fans regularly to avoid this situation.
Practice Caution With Heaters
Any flammable and combustible items should not be placed in front of portable heaters and fireplaces. Do not operate your portable radiators near curtains or furniture.
To avoid tipping this appliance, always place your heater on an even surface. In this way, you can enjoy comfortable warmth without worrying about any dangers.
On the topic of heaters, practice safety with your water heaters as well. High temperature settings not only increase your energy consumption but can also lead to unintentional burns and scalding, especially in children.
Only Use The Correct Wattage
Using the correct light can prevent electrical issues down the line, so check all fixtures, lamps and appliances to make sure you’re using the right wattage.
If a light fixture doesn’t have a wattage listed, go for 60 watt bulbs or less. For unmarked ceiling luminaries, opt for 25 watt bulbs.
If you want a safe and efficient option, go for LED light bulbs. These bulbs consume less energy and reduce the risk of overheating. At Meteor, we carry the innovative Kosnic range of LEDs to provide you with energy savings and convenience.
Stay Safe With The Right Products
If you’re looking for quality products that ensure your safety, visit Meteor Electrical.
From smart sockets and switches to efficient light bulbs, we carry all the products needed to ensure safety and comfort. Head over to Meteor to replace any old electrical appliance with our efficient products.