Maintenance intervals should follow the equipment instructions and the site’s actual duty, environment and condition. Assign an owner, record findings and plan de-energised access. A generic annual checklist is not a complete maintenance strategy.
For CWS support with an existing board, see our industrial switchboard maintenance and retrofit scope.
Begin with the asset record
Identify each board and the loads it serves. Keep drawings, ratings, component references, previous inspection results and known alterations together. If important information is missing, record that gap and agree how it will be resolved.
Criticality matters. A fault on a board serving essential process equipment has different consequences from a fault on a non-critical local distribution board. Environmental exposure and past deterioration can also change the required attention.
Build the plan around the work
| Activity | What the plan should establish |
|---|---|
| External observations | Who checks accessible indicators, damage, leaks and blocked access without removing covers. |
| Planned internal service | Competent personnel, isolation arrangements and equipment-specific inspection and service instructions. |
| Protection checks | Which devices need testing, the method, acceptance criteria and settings record. |
| Thermal survey, where appropriate | Safe viewing method, representative load, access limits and follow-up action. |
| Remedial work | Priority, responsible person, parts, shutdown and verification after repair. |
| Document update | Revised drawings, settings, condition record and next review date. |
Set intervals for the actual equipment and risk. Review them when the duty changes or inspection results show deterioration. Do not use a fixed monthly, annual or five-year cycle as a universal requirement.
Thermography is one source of evidence
A thermal survey can help identify abnormal temperature patterns when there is suitable load and a safe viewing arrangement. Interpretation depends on load, surface conditions, access and equipment design. A clear image cannot prove that a board is free of defects.
Thermal findings should lead to assessed action. Record the operating load and conditions so later surveys can be compared meaningfully.
Avoid generic servicing instructions
Insulation testing, cleaning, lubrication and connection checks must follow the appropriate equipment instructions and work plan. Connected electronics may require specific precautions. Re-tightening every joint is not automatically the right maintenance action.
The maintenance team should define the tests and acceptance criteria, record the results and assess any abnormal finding. Keep settings and device references traceable, especially where backup protection or coordinated protection relies on a specific arrangement.
Know when to reassess the asset
- Unexplained trips, repeated defects or signs of overheating.
- Water entry, corrosion, contamination or damaged enclosure parts.
- Unsupported or obsolete equipment affecting safe serviceability.
- New loads, altered supplies or changed fault conditions.
- Missing records that prevent the intended modification from being assessed.
These findings prompt investigation; age alone does not decide replacement. Discuss the board and its records with CWS maintenance and retrofit services. If replacement is indicated, the upgrade planning guide helps organise the scope and outage.
Questions we hear
Can thermal imaging replace internal servicing?
No. It addresses a particular set of observations and has limits. Use it within the equipment’s overall maintenance plan.
Is appliance test-and-tag a switchboard maintenance plan?
No. Fixed switchboard inspection, servicing and protection checks require a scope appropriate to that assembly and installation.