Electric switchgear is an important part of any electrical system that controls the smooth flow of electricity. Just like any other electrical component, switchgear also needs cleaning and maintenance to function optimally.
Regular cleaning of electric switchgear prevents dirt, debris, and dust from accumulating on the switchgear. Besides, it reduces energy consumption and minimizes overheating or equipment failure risk.
But how to clean electric switchgear without compromising safety or functionality? This blog covers it all.
How To Clean Electrical Switchgear?
The following are the methods to incorporate on how to clean electric switchgear:
Cleaning Cloths and Brushes
This is one of the most commonly used methods to clean the interior of switchgears. But you cannot take any cloth for cleaning the equipment. Only select clothes that are free from loose fibers. These cleaning tools are designed specifically for cleaning delicate electrical parts.
Industrial Vacuum Cleaners
Utilize vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters to gently remove dust, dirt, and debris without harming sensitive components. Vacuum cleaners have a filter suction that ensures safe and efficient cleaning.
Cleaning Solutions & Wipes
These pre-moistened wipes are designed for safe cleaning of low and high-voltage switchgear. They effectively remove contaminants without leaving residue. The cleaning solution or wipes should be:
- Easily removable
- Non-flammable
- Non-toxic
- Environment Friendly
- Quick-drying
Dry Ice Blasting
Dry ice blasting is a modern technique for cleaning electrical components. It uses dry ice pellets to remove dirt without introducing moisture. It is safe to use for cleaning generators, boilers, turbines, or steam generators.
Common Mistakes To Avoid When Cleaning Switchgear
Neglecting Safety Precautions
Always ensure that the switchgear is fully isolated from all power sources before beginning any cleaning process. Please do so to avoid electric mishaps.
Implement proper lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures to guarantee that the equipment is powered off completely.
Using Inappropriate Cleaning Agents
Avoid using non-specialized cleaning products, as they can cause short circuits or damage sensitive components.
Employing Compressed Air Improperly
While compressed air can be used for cleaning, it should be done with caution. Using it at incorrect pressure can throw dirt into the switchgear, causing more harm than good.
Ignoring Component Sensitivity
Electrical switchgear components are sensitive. If you use aggressive cleaning methods it can damage them.
How Does Dry Ice Blasting Improve Switchgear Cleaning?
Traditional cleaning methods employed 4-5 days to clean as the water was there properly. This increased the downtime as the component had to be kept to dry out properly.
But dry ice blasting can complete the job in a day. This is because dry ice blasting is a non-abrasive process that can be done in place without disassembly, reducing downtime.
Benefits of Dry Ice Blasting:
- Safe for Equipment
- Time-saving cleaning method
- Environment Friendly
- Improved Performance
The dry ice blasting method is used in various industries for switchgear cleaning, like:
- Power generation and distribution facilities
- Manufacturing plants
- Oil and gas refineries
Why Use Cleaning Wipes & Solutions For Low & High Voltage Switchgear?
Cleaning wipes and solutions are used for low and high-voltage switchgears because:
- They are non-conductive and non-flammable to metals and plastic.
- Pre-moistened wipes are easy to use and require no mixing of chemicals, saving time and effort.
- They remove dirt, dust, and contaminants from switchgear surfaces without leaving residue.
- They can be applied directly to areas where even vacuum cleaners can’t reach.
How To Maintain Circuit Breakers During Switchgear Cleaning?
A circuit breaker is a pricey component on which the lives and safety of your employees depend. Maintaining a circuit breaker is important; otherwise, it can cause an overload of currents, fires, and other electric surges.
Here is the step-by-step procedure for circuit maintenance:
1. Check For Safety
Prioritize safety before starting any maintenance on a circuit breaker. Here are some simple steps to ensure your safety and prevent accidents:
- Turn off the power before starting any maintenance activity.
- Use a voltage tester to confirm that the circuit breaker is completely de-energized.
- Put a “Do Not Operate” or Danger label on the switchgear to alert others that maintenance is in progress.
2. Conduct visual inspection
- Do a proper inspection of the circuit breaker. Check if there are any visible signs of overheating, physical damage, or discolouration.
- Inspect the enclosure, contacts, and operating mechanism. Manually open and close the circuit breakers 20-25 times at least to ensure smooth operation.
3. Do Multiple Tests
The following are different types of testing to do before switchgear cleaning:
- Ground Fault Test – To check if the circuit breaker can detect and trip on ground faults.
- Medium-voltage oil circuit test – This is to check the oil’s dielectric strength. If it is less than 22kV, the oil in the circuit must be changed.
- Overload Test – Simulate overload conditions to test the breaker’s tripping characteristics. Record the tripping time and compare it to the manufacturer’s specifications.
- Insulation Resistance Test: Measure the resistance between live parts and the enclosure to assess insulation integrity.
4. Clean the breakers
As stated earlier, cleaning circuit breakers is important for:
- Removing dirt, grime, and debris
- Preventing corrosion
- Ensure smooth functioning of the system
Hencing regular cleaning of circuit breakers must be done by skilled professionals.
You can start by:
- Gently cleaning the circuit breaker using a vacuum cleaner or compressed air.
- Using cleaning wipes designed for switchgears. They are non-corrosive and help clean stubborn stains like rust and other contaminants from the surface.
- Applying dielectric grease to moving parts, such as the handle mechanism, hinges, etc, that experience friction while operating. This lubrication helps to reduce wear & tear and prevents corrosion.
5. Re-Testing and Documentation
- Conduct follow-up tests after cleaning to ensure the circuit breaker is working.
- Record the results of all tests and maintenance activities. Now, prepare a report and include all the recorded information. Check if any repairs and needed and do them on an urgent basis.
Common Issues To Look For In Circuit Breakers
Circuit breakers manage the flow of current in an electrical circuit. If there is an overflow of current, breakers automatically stop the flow to prevent mishaps like:
- Overheating
- Fires
- Fluctuations in current
- Other electric hazards
Hence, it’s essential to look for potential issues in circuit breakers. These could be:
- Physical damage – Is your wire showing age? Then, it’s time for a replacement. Using non-durable cables can result in cracks and burns. To avoid such physical damage in the future, opt for top electrical wire dealers.
- Worn or loose connections – Loose wiring can lead to current malfunctioning in the form of sparks or light dimming. To resolve this issue, tighten the wiring. If that doesn’t help, replace the damaged connections.
- Frequent tripping – This is another issue caused by overloaded circuits. This problem happens when many electronic devices run on a single circuit, drawing more current than the capacity. To handle this problem, reduce the load by limiting the usage of multiple devices.
- Moisture damage – Water exposure can cause corrosion and affect performance. Fix leakage and replace corroded breakers with new ones. Doing so prevents moisture from entering the circuit.
- Buzzing or humming sound – A buzzing sound generally indicates loose connections. To fix this, have an electrician check for electrical faults.
- Mislabeling – Improper labelling can lead to confusion during troubleshooting. To avoid this, ensure the ACB and MCCB circuit breakers are appropriately labelled. Labelling them allows for easy identification of circuits and improves safety.
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Frequently Asked Questions About How To Clean Electrical Switchgear
What Are The Best Practices For Cleaning Electrical Switchgear?
- Regularly clean switch gears to prevent dust build-up
- Use non-conductive cleaning agents and specialized tools
- Ensure power is turned off
- Check if there are any loose connections left out
- Inspect circuit breakers for wear & tear, short circuits, and tripping issues.
How Does Dry Ice Blasting Improve Switchgear Cleaning?
When the dry ice hits the surface of the electric switchgear, it sublimates into gas. The ice then freezes the bond between the dirt and the surface, making the dirt fall off easily without adding moisture.