Ensure motor drive systems are delivering clean power free of harmonics and at the right voltage after the moveĪ nine-step electrical system checklist for moving a production line.
While you can usually rely on electrical contractors to follow the requirements of the National Electrical Code for all of the electrical work they do, bear in mind that the code does not require a contractor to address many of the less obvious and frequently overlooked problems, such as voltage drops, harmonics, and EMI (electromagnetic interference). Outsourcing electrical work is not a panaceaīecause electricians and other maintenance personnel are often fully occupied just keeping the facility operating, electrical work for production line moves is often outsourced. Operator complains of ergonomic problems.Sensors and detectors don't function properly.Equipment shuts down for unclear reasons.Motors are noisy or burn out prematurely.In fact, symptoms of potentially serious problems may appear long after installation and setup are complete. Problems instigated by a move may not be immediately visible when you return a line to service. Glitches and failures at the unit level can in turn cause failures at the system level, such as unexpected tripping of conveyor drive systems, failures of the plant floor communication system, equipment overheating, unsafe electrical systems-and lots of headaches and downtime. When you move a line, electrical distribution systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs), programmable logic controllers (PLCs), lighting, communication circuitry, controls, emergency stop systems, and more are susceptible to unanticipated changes ranging from glitches to outright failures. Moving or reconfiguring a production line can disrupt a complex and finely tuned system.