Be Sure to Avoid These Common Winter Hazards to Industrial Electrical Equipment
A little bit of maintenance on your electrical systems and equipment goes a long way, especially for the winter months. The extreme cold and winter elements can be destructive for your electrical system, so it’s important that you understand not just the potential dangers you could face without performing the proper maintenance, but also how you can avoid them. Read on for an overview of common electrical winter hazards in Carlsbad, NM.
Problems with space heaters
One of the most common electrical issues that occurs in the winter is improper usage of space heaters, which can quickly turn hazardous. People commonly use space heaters to warm up spots in their building that aren’t getting heated as well as others. However, there are a number of dangers associated with space heaters.
For one thing, leaving a space heater on when you’re not nearby is a significant safety hazard, and many people simply forget to turn it off or unplug it. For another, the farther from your power source the space heater is located, the greater its potential for harm, especially when there are issues with incompatible amperage between the space heater and the outlet.
You can safely use space heaters in your commercial or industrial space, but you need to make sure that you use the correct placement, that you have a dedicated circuit and outlet for the proper amperage for the space heater and that you unplug the device when it’s not in use.
Power outages
Most people associate power outages with heavy wind and thunderstorms, but outages can occur in the winter months as well, and when they do, those outages have much more severe effects because of the cold weather and resulting lack of heat in your building. It’s not uncommon for snow and ice to build up so heavily on external wires that the service connection gets interrupted due to wire breakage. Snow flowing into parts of your electrical system can also cause shorts.
You can help prevent these issues by regularly checking exterior wires and connections for wear and to make sure the sealant is in good condition. If you know you have an old electrical system, consider purchasing a backup generator just to be safe.
Heating issues
During the interior heating season, it’s important to take certain safety precautions so that the heat in your building doesn’t become dangerous. Certain types of heating systems come with their own unique challenges and dangers. Baseboard heating systems, for example, should not be installed right below outlets, as they could melt cords above them. You should avoid placing any types of electrical cords directly in front of heating units to prevent potential fire hazards. Keep furniture and other objects away from vents and radiators as well to keep your commercial space safe.
These are just a few examples of some of the most common electrical issues industrial property owners face during the winter months. For more information about avoiding common electrical winter hazards in Carlsbad, NM, we encourage you to contact JB Electric LLC today with any questions.
Categorised in: Electrical Issues