Whether you own a small, medium, or large business, you can’t deny the electrical power supply and its diverse effects on daily work.
That’s why we urge you to consider some aspects when you require remodeling the electrical system at your workplace.
From the managerial perspective, you must maintain and ensure the safety of your employees and workers. So, instead of a slapdash electrical job, take some time before the actual revamping.
We’ve run down five effective tips to ensure better work experience, productivity, and cost-effectiveness.
Consider These 6 Tips before Remodeling Your Workplace Electrical System:
You may have to consult a team of electrical experts before getting your hands on the remodeling job.
Consider the cable support system (slotted cable hangers, multi-option hangers, etc.), AC-DC supply, electrical grounding, and other stuff when reshaping the system.
To know more, read on to find out the six tips below:
1. Start with the Business Assessment
You can’t determine the type of electrical system you need to implement in your workplace without assessing the business type.
Is it just an office; small, medium, or large? Is it a factory or a plant? Is it just one facility or multiple? Have you considered the operation nature and work hours? How many people will work daily?
These are the questions (and so many more) that must be answered to get your electrical work done perfectly. Ignoring these facts may increase your operational cost.
2. Conduct An Electrical Hazard Assessment
Assessing the workplace electrical hazard is smart before reshuffling the whole system. Such an assessment is essential for identifying the hazards, measuring risks, and implementing risk control.
Most workplace safety standards in the US require this electrical hazard assessment. It ensures that you as an owner or employer can evade the potential injury inside the office or work premises.
The electricians will conduct circuit and installation risk assessments to avoid arc flashes and shocks during wiring and installation.
Steps to electrical hazard assessment may include:
- Assessing Possible Occurrences: Inadequately labeled electrical equipment could prove to be hazardous. They may lead to various occurrences. Undesired events may also occur due to the electrical job type. For example, voltage testing may prove riskier than operating circuit breaker handles.
- Determining the Potential Injury Intensity: The intensity of an injury relates to the electrical occurrence type. If someone has received a shock, you must consider the voltage that ran through his body. Conversely, in flash hazards, you have to check the energy in the electrical system.
- Implementing Risk Control Procedures: Once you’ve assessed the occurrence and determined potential injury intensity, it’s time to go with the risk control procedures. Processes include temporary hazard elimination, substituting safer equipment, reducing the degree of risk, posting awareness signs, accomplishing front-end administrative procedures, and applying PPE rules among workers and employees.
3. Check Electric Appliances and Wiring Compatibility
Protecting electrical appliances at home or office starts with a compatibility check. You must check if the installable appliances are compatible with the wires and cables inside the system.
The electric supply in your office must support the appliances for an expected period. Checking the voltage is a mandatory task at this point.
If the voltage isn’t correct, it might damage both electrical equipment and the appliances.
Make sure of the authentic quality labels on the electrical equipment and appliances. Fake labels can put you at risk of fire hazards and other unintended accidents.
4. Check If the Electric Supply Is Sufficient and Safe
The power supply should be sufficient for both small and large appliances. The electricians should set up the connections to ensure power balance.
When large appliances, such as AC, fridge, cooling or heating appliance, etc., are turned on, the smaller ones may encounter a power shortage. This may lead to short-circuit if the problem isn’t fixed immediately.
Your power supply at the workplace should also be safe to use. Ask the experts to test the electrical outlets, generators, solar converter panels, power grid, etc. Make sure that they use a calibrated (giving accurate measurement) tester.
If the power supply at your workplace is safe and sufficient, you’re good to go with the electrical remodeling. If not, hire an electrical contractor to accomplish the necessary repairing, replacement, and wiring.
5. Consider Using an RCD (Residual Current Device)
If you haven’t used it before, no worries. But you must use RCDs now to establish safe and seamless current flow throughout your power supply and appliances.
Having RCDs in place can reduce significant numbers of potential injuries due to electrical hazards. The most suitable spot to jack the RCD is the main switchboard. This will establish permanent safety.
If a direct RCD connection to the main switchboard isn’t possible, try attaching a power socket outlet or an RCD adapter. Make sure the socket or the adapter is adequately tested.
Don’t mistake an RCD for a preventive tool for extreme fire hazards, like an explosion. It can detect some faults in the electrical panels. Besides, it cuts off the power supply whenever it exceeds the usual amount, preventing shocks.
Final Words
You mustn’t compromise workplace safety during electrical remodeling. Hence, you should consider some fundamental aspects before the actual task.
The preparatory tasks, including business and risk assessment, checking appliances and power supply, etc., help you plan ahead of time. It further helps you prepare the budget. Thus your operational cost won’t go through the roof.
So, help yourself with the tips we’ve shared in this article. Consult with a certified electrician to elaborate on these steps. Start remodeling your electrical system in a safe, productive, and efficient manner.
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