Maintaining sine wave inverters in critical environments like hospitals and data centers often requires servicing them while they are still operational. It ensures an uninterrupted power supply, which is crucial in these environments.
However, this task presents unique challenges and risks to the service personnel and the equipment.
4 Sine Wave Inverter Maintenance Practices
Following these four maintenance practices can help reduce these risks, ensure the safety and efficiency of the maintenance process, and keep these inverters operating at optimal levels.
1. Prioritize Safety with Appropriate Personal Protective Equipment
Equipping service technicians with the appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is imperative. The level of PPE required can vary based on the specific hazards present during maintenance tasks.
It is essential to consult resources such as OSHA guidelines to determine the appropriate PPE level, ensuring that technicians adequately protect themselves against electrical hazards.
2. Opt for Quick-Evaporating Dielectric Cleaners
When cleaning parts of an energized inverter, it is imperative to use a dielectric cleaner that evaporates quickly. This cleaner reduces residue, prevents electrical conduction, and minimizes the risk of slip-and-fall accidents.
A quick-evaporating cleaner ensures that the work area remains safe and clean, facilitating a safer maintenance process.
3. Select Non-Combustible Dielectric Cleaners
To further enhance safety, use a dielectric cleaner with no flashpoint. This way the cleaner will not ignite, regardless of the ignition sources it may encounter during the cleaning process.
A non-combustible cleaner also simplifies storage requirements, allowing safe storage even near combustible materials, thereby reducing fire risks.
4. Invest in Specialized Training for Maintenance Personnel
It’s important to remember that servicing inverters safely and effectively requires specialized knowledge and skills, even though a general understanding of electrical systems may seem sufficient.
Specialized training enhances the efficiency of maintenance procedures, minimizes the risk of damaging the equipment, and significantly reduces the likelihood of accidents or injuries.
Therefore, it’s crucial to ensure that only personnel with specific training in inverter maintenance carry out servicing operations. The technicians at Exeltech have the required training to provide routine maintenance of sine wave inverters and most inverters.
