ELECTRICAL SWITCHGEAR RISK ASSESSMENT IN CANADA
Table of Contents
Understanding Electrical Switchgear:
A centralized collection of circuit breakers, fuses, and switches that function to secure, monitor, and isolate electrical equipment is referred to as electrical switchgear. A switchgear assembly is the grouping of one or more of these systems.
Electrical switchgear is mostly effective, but its malfunction can be disastrous. Mechanical failures, partial discharge failures, maloperation, and failures caused by environmental causes such as lightning and the presence of moisture affect electrical switchgear systems. As a result, performing an electrical switchgear risk assessment is a safer and better option.
Care Labs offers a comprehensive electrical testing and inspection service of switchgear for your company to ensure that all electrical devices are safe and functional.
There are two categories of components in an electrical switchgear assembly:
- Components that influence the movement of electric current: Switches, circuit breakers, electrical fuses, isolators, and lightning arrestors are examples of components that conduct or disrupt the movement of electric current in an electric network.
- Components that regulate the flow of electric current: Relays, control panels, and transformers are examples of components used to track, control, and regulate the flow of electricity.
Further, switch gears are classified into three categories based on the voltage levels – Low voltage switchgear (LV), Medium voltage switchgear (MV), and High voltage switchgear (HV).
The function of electrical switchgear is to protect equipment from short circuit currents and overload fault currents. It also isolates electrical circuitry from power supplies and aids in the de-energization of equipment during repair and inspection.
Electric switchgear allows a load to be fed from various outlets. As a result, the system’s availability is increased. Monitoring and measuring electrical quantities are other functions of electrical switchgear.
Several factors influence the operation of electrical switchgear, some of which are mentioned below:
- The presence of moisture – Humidity and oxidation
- The build-up of dust, debris, and soot spores
- Irregular maintenance
- Very high operating temperatures
- Seepage of oil
- Auxiliary machinery that has been damaged or destroyed
- Inadequate installation by an amateur contractor
- Internal arcing and discharges
- Insulation damage or premature aging
Understanding Electrical Switchgear Risk Assessment:
Switchgear risk assessment entails defining, assessing, and recommending suitable steps to improve switchgear safety and reliability. It also ensures that switchgear adheres to the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), and National Electrical Code (NEC) standards.
The process of assessing the risks of electrical switchgear is as follows:
- Obtaining details about the switchgear’s design, type, and ranking.
- Examining the working environment, work practices, and equipment requirements
- Examining the site’s location with electrical risks
- Examination of recent electrical hazards
- A risk estimation report is developed based on the likelihood of occurrence and magnitude of the threat.
- Defining risk thresholds or tolerable risk levels
- Employing risk reduction methodologies
Methodologies for Risk Reduction Include:
- Replace worn-out switchgear components.
- Limiting the operation of overloaded switchgear systems
- Restricting access when switchgear is in service
- Whenever necessary, reconfigure the network to reduce fault levels.
- Replacing overstressed switchgear
- To avoid false switching, use anti-reflex handles.
- Preventive repair of switchgear on fixed intervals.
- Improving electrical safety measures, including the use of an automatic fire detection system and the placement of portable fire extinguishers in strategic areas.
- Routine inspection for signs of water ingress, corrosion, rodent behavior, and detection of damage and unauthenticated entry of persons.
- Maintaining a proper management system can help address the safety issues with the use, operation, and maintenance of switchgear and its components.
The final report will contain an executive summary, a preface of the Electrical Switchgear assessment, inferences, recommendations, observations, electrical dangers, and preventative measures, a report of electrical accidents and their control methods, a report of fire hazards and their respective protection schemes, list of electrical maintenance needed and their procedures, electrical test procedures, and annexure of the technical report.
The final report will also include photographs and drawings (if any). And will also be made available in a digital format. To ease your switchgear risk assessment, hire a professional from Care Labs.
Care Labs offers switchgear risk assessment studies and hazard analysis to ensure that everything at your company is up to code and in line with state regulations.
We offer electrical switchgear risk assessment in Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Alberta, and all the major states in Canada.
Book your inspection or get a quote today by contacting us!
