Preventive and Corrective Maintenance of Distribution Cells.
- Grupo Edmar
- Oct 15
- 3 min read
October 15, 2025 - Preventive and Corrective Maintenance of Distribution Cells.
Preventive and Corrective Maintenance of Distribution Cells.
Distribution cells are key components in medium-voltage electrical systems. Their proper functioning ensures safety, continuity, and efficiency in electrical operations, especially in industrial, commercial, or infrastructure environments. Performing preventive and corrective maintenance is essential to maximize the lifespan of this equipment and minimize operational risks.
Importance of Maintenance in Distribution Cells.
Switchgear maintenance is critical to ensuring personnel safety, equipment protection, and the continuity of the power supply. Failures in these switchgear can lead to serious accidents, operational interruptions, and costly damage to connected systems such as transformers, motors, or distribution lines.
Proper maintenance allows:
Detect wear or failures before they affect operation.
Check the status of protections, disconnectors and relays.
Reduce energy losses due to loose connections or damaged contacts.
Maintain historical records of each review , facilitating the planning of future interventions and safety audits.
In industrial and commercial projects, proactive maintenance is key to avoiding unscheduled downtime that can affect productivity.
Preventive Maintenance: The Key to Efficiency.
Preventive maintenance seeks to prevent failures from occurring through periodic inspection, cleaning, and testing of components. It includes activities such as:
Cleaning of dust, moisture and contaminants to protect insulators and electrical contacts.
Review of opening and closing mechanisms , verifying that they work without blockages or wear.
Insulation resistance measurement to detect possible deterioration in cables, busbars or panels.
Control of gases and pressures (such as SF6) in cells that require them, ensuring safe operating conditions.
Check and tighten connections and terminals to avoid overheating or sparks.
It is recommended that these inspections be carried out at least once a year , although critical environments or those with adverse environmental conditions (dust, humidity, temperature) require reviews every 6 months or even quarterly.
Corrective Maintenance: Action in the event of failures.
Corrective maintenance is performed when a problem already exists that affects the operation of the cell. Although more costly and disruptive than preventive maintenance, it is essential to restoring safety and operational continuity.
Some examples include:
Replacement of switches or switchgears damaged by wear, overload or short circuits.
Replacement of cables, conductors or terminals affected by heat, corrosion or vibrations.
Repair of interlocking mechanisms, relays or sensors , guaranteeing system protection.
Correction of insulation or seal faults , preventing electrical leaks and short circuits.
Although these interventions cannot be planned exactly, a good preventive program significantly reduces the frequency of corrective maintenance , avoiding unexpected costs and prolonged downtime.
Differences between Corrective and Preventive Maintenance.
Feature | Preventive | Corrective |
Aim | Avoid failures and maintain efficiency | Repair existing faults |
Cost | Low in the medium term | Stop for unforeseen events |
Frequency | Scheduled | As needed |
Duration | Short, quick execution | Variable, depends on the damage |
Impact on operation | Minimum | May require complete shutdown of the cell |
Understanding these differences helps companies plan budgets and resources more efficiently, prioritizing prevention over reaction to failures.
Signs that Indicate the Need for Maintenance.
Identifying potential failures early prevents major problems. Warning signs include:
Burning smell or ozone , indicating overheating or partial discharge.
Strange noises or vibrations during operation, especially in switches or disconnectors.
Frequent protection trips , indicating overloads, short circuits or malfunctions.
Heating of components or degradation of insulators.
Difficulty operating opening and closing mechanisms , which may reflect wear or accumulated dirt.
If you notice any of these signs, it is advisable to initiate immediate corrective maintenance to prevent serious damage.
Regulations and Good Practices in Maintenance.
To ensure safety and compliance, maintenance must follow international and local standards such as IEC 62271, ANSI C37 and NOM-001-SEDE .
Good practices include:
Document each check and repair to maintain a complete maintenance history .
Perform tasks only with qualified personnel , using PPE and lockout/tagout (LOTO) procedures.
Establish an inspection schedule based on the criticality of the equipment and environmental conditions.
Follow clear protocols for measuring, cleaning, lubricating, and functional testing of all components.
These practices not only extend cell life, but also ensure safety and reliability throughout the entire electrical system.
Maintenance in Industrial and Commercial Environments.
Cells located in industrial plants or commercial developments face more demanding conditions:
Dust, vibrations and humidity , which can accelerate the wear of insulators and contacts.
High temperatures , which require constant monitoring of hot spots and preventive measures.
Interaction with medium voltage transformers and disconnectors , ensuring that the entire system operates in coordination.
In these environments, preventive maintenance may require reviews every 3 to 6 months , ensuring operational continuity and minimizing risks.
Comments