Preventive Maintenance of Switchgear.

Grupo Edmar
Oct 1
3 min read

October 1, 2025 - Preventive Maintenance of Switchgears.

Edmar Preventive Maintenance — Preventive Maintenance

Why is Preventive Maintenance Crucial?

In industrial and commercial electrical infrastructure, switchgears are a critical element for safe and continuous power operation. Because they are exposed to high currents, harsh environments, and constant use, their preventive maintenance is essential.

A proper plan prevents power outages, accidents, and hidden costs, extending the lifespan of the entire facility. This article will guide you step-by-step through how to care for this equipment and why choosing reliable suppliers like Grupo Edmar can make all the difference.

What are electrical disconnectors and what is their function?

Disconnectors are devices that allow an electrical circuit to be visibly isolated and disconnected for maintenance, repairs, or safety operations. They differ from circuit breakers in that they do not interrupt the load current, but are used when the current is no longer flowing.

Most common types:

Knife disconnectors : basic, reliable and economical.
SF6 (insulating gas) disconnectors: ideal for medium and high voltage with limited space.
Load-operated disconnectors : allow safer maneuvers under certain conditions.

Benefits of Preventive Maintenance.

Well-executed preventive maintenance provides clear benefits:

Greater security : protects operators and technicians.
Operational reliability : reduces unexpected failures and unscheduled shutdowns.
Regulatory compliance : avoid penalties for violating CFE or NOM regulations.
Economic savings : reduces expenses for major repairs and extends the useful life of the equipment.

Real-life example: In an industrial complex, checking disconnectors every six months prevented an estimated production stoppage of 3 million pesos.

Basic Steps for Effective Maintenance.

For preventive maintenance to fulfill its objective, it must follow a clear methodology:

Visual inspection : detect wear, corrosion or loose parts.
Internal and external cleaning : remove dust, moisture and residue that affect the insulation.
Electrical tests : measure continuity, insulation resistance and contact quality.
Mechanism lubrication : ensures smooth, jam-free maneuvers.
Documentation and tracking : record each maintenance for history and traceability.

Recommended Maintenance Frequency.

The frequency depends on the environment and the level of criticality:

Clean environments : review every 12 months.
Aggressive environments (dust, humidity, heat) : every 6 months.
Critical equipment (high voltage or continuous processes) : quarterly inspection.

This calendar allows you to anticipate failures and plan repairs without affecting operations.

Applicable Norms and Standards.

In Mexico, the CFE (Federal Electric Power Commission) and NOM-001-SEDE (National Electricity Commission) establish guidelines for the installation and maintenance of disconnectors. Internationally, standards such as IEC 62271 and ANSI/IEEE define parameters for medium- and high-voltage switchgear. Compliance with these standards guarantees:

Staff safety.
Equipment quality and compatibility.
Greater acceptance in audits and certified projects.

Technologies that facilitate Preventive maintenance.

Today there are technologies that simplify and enhance maintenance tasks:

Temperature and vibration sensors : alert of hot spots or mechanical wear.
SCADA systems : monitor the status of disconnectors in real time.
IoT and predictive maintenance : anticipate failures before they occur.

These tools are a perfect complement to increasing the reliability of the electrical system.

Edmar Group: Electrical disconnectors and comprehensive solutions.

At Grupo Edmar, we not only manufacture and market electrical transformers , we also offer electrical disconnectors for different voltage levels. By having both equipment from a single supplier, companies achieve: