In working with customers for the last fourteen years in the field service environment, with the Corps of Engineers, Government Facilities Engineers, Square D Company customers and now with our own customers, we have found that often times maintenance become a burden, an unexpected cost or a low priority.

Recently, insurance companies have taken a more active role in "persuading" their customers to perform routine maintenance. Usually, after an onsite review of a customer's facility including a review of their maintenance practices, a letter is generated with recommendations. Our previous featured article in Infrared Thermographic Surveys, is usually one of the items identified as a routine maintenance measure that is recommended.

During a recent major electrical shutdown here in New Jersey, an insurance representative was actually onsite to make recommendations and review the procedures being followed. This was a first for us but we believe this may be a growing trend.

Factory Mutual Engineering and Research statistics show that electrical failures account for more industrial losses than any other peril. Of those electrical failures the predominant ignition source for electrical fires is wiring.

The cost for electrical maintenance can be relative. When viewed as a portion of the operational maintenance budget it may seem significant. However, compared with the cost of an electrical failure or fire, costing millions of dollars, an effective electrical maintenance program can potentially reduce or prevent the incidence of failure.

There are many ways to develop an electrical maintenance program, usually the company derives a specification and then puts the work out for bid. Powertronic believes that it is important for the maintenance and testing firm to become a partner in developing the program. With this in mind, we have develop this series on electrical maintenance which will include three components