Plant Engineering’s Post

Great topic for quick read about maintenance and servicing of equipment! Servicing and Maintenance of Equipment [110.17] Perhaps one of the most interesting changes in the 2023 National Electrical Code is the addition of section 110.17 which requires that servicing and maintenance of equipment must be performed by qualified personnel. This new rule has an informational note referencing NFPA 70B “Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance” to guide Code users on the standard related to preventative maintenance for electrical equipment. Thank you Mike Holt for the information. 😮

Which of the following best describes the purpose of Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures in electrical work? A) To ensure electrical equipment is properly grounded B) To prevent unauthorized access to electrical panels C) To isolate electrical circuits and prevent accidental energization during maintenance D) To reduce electrical consumption by optimizing equipment efficiency

NFPA 70B has transitioned from the Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. Approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), it has been 50 years since the first version of NFPA 70B was issued in 1973. Once a recommended practice, these standards now must be done when pertaining to electrical equipment maintenance. When it comes to equipment failure and the safety of those working on electrical systems maintenance is key for safety and reliability. You can depend on The Snell Group! https://lnkd.in/gQZatZmX

Regular preventive maintenance for electrical panels is not just a routine; it's a shield of safety and reliability for our electrical systems. By conducting thorough inspections and maintenance, we can prevent potential hazards such as electrical fires and failures. We identify and address issues such as loose connections, corrosion, or overloaded circuits before they escalate, ensuring the safety and security of our operations.

Although it’s been out, getting more publicity, and adopted by several companies, there are very few that have come into compliance. NFPA 70B represents a paradigm shift for electrical maintenance. Due to the inherent reliability and long life of most electrical equipment, companies have traditionally overlooked this critical area in the maintnenance programs - even in REX - choosing to run to failure and/or failing to perform PMs frequently enough to prevent catastrophic failures.

You don’t have to touch an overhead powerline to get a deadly shock. Electricity can jump to you or your equipment. Keep yourself and your equipment 3 metres away from overhead powerlines at all times. Learn more powerline safety tips from the Electrical Safety Authority: ESAsafe.com/construction

#Distribution Feeder Shutdown for LT Cable Shifting Work: Distribution feeder shutdown is a critical process in power distribution systems, ensuring safe and efficient maintenance. This article outlines the complete process for shutting down a distribution feeder for LT (Low Tension) cable shifting work. Pre-Shutdown Preparations: 1. Notification: Inform all stakeholders, including consumers, about the planned shutdown. 2. Load Flow Study: Analyze the load flow to determine the optimal shutdown sequence. 3. Safety Measures: Prepare necessary safety equipment and personnel. Shutdown Process: 1. Isolate the Feeder: Open the circuit breaker and isolate the feeder from the grid. 2. Earth the Feeder: Connect the earthing switch to ensure the feeder is safely grounded. 3. Lockout and Tagout: Apply lockout and tagout procedures to prevent accidental re-energization. 4. LT Cable Shifting: Perform the necessary LT cable shifting work. Post-Shutdown Activities: 1. Restore Feeder: Reverse the shutdown process, ensuring the feeder is safely re-energized. 2. Verify Load: Confirm the load flow and ensure the feeder is supplying power to the intended areas. 3. Documentation: Record all shutdown and maintenance activities. Safety Considerations: 1. Ensure proper earthing and grounding. 2. Use personal protective equipment (PPE). 3. Follow established lockout and tagout procedures. Distribution feeder shutdown for LT cable shifting work requires careful planning and execution. By following this step-by-step guide, utilities and electrical contractors can ensure a safe and efficient shutdown process, minimizing downtime and ensuring reliable power distribution. Remember, safety is paramount throughout the process...

Mandatory IR maintenance inspections. Do you know what the new NFPA 70B requires? The change from recommendations to a standard means that there are a lot of new things you need to do to inspect... and document... for electrical equipment. Thermography is the best non destructive testing that you can do to keep people safe, and prevent damage to property. Do you have a good program in effect with qualified personnel to do the work? NFPA 70B now requires Delta T measurements for thermography scanning of equipment - having the right cameras to allow you to do this in-camera helps speed up your process. How are you planning to upgrade your process this year?

The 2023 edition of NFPA 70B: Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance has transitioned from a “recommended practice” to a “standard” for electrical equipment maintenance. Want to know how to design systems that prioritize maintenance, safety, and reliability? Register for our September 19th to learn how to leverage NFPA 70B to benefit your clients and stay ahead of the curve. Click the link to save your spot: https://lnkd.in/eXf2g-R8

Ensure you carry out pre-commissioning tests on the newly purchased electrical machine/equipment before installation on site and compared with the factory tests, as this will served as a reference values during the coming routine preventive maintenance tests when the machine/equipment has been put to service. And this will continued to be telling the conditions of machine/equipment whether the degregation is actually as a result of ageing of the machine/equipment or problem...Thanks