Industrial Electrical Projects - 5 Common Challenges Faced by Electricians

As seasoned electricians, B Town Electric will share with you some of the most common electrical challenges in industrial settings, regardless of size or scope:

Challenge #1: Working in Extreme Environments

If it’s an industrial project, you can expect the electrical contractors to work in extreme conditions, whether that’s fixing wirings 40 feet up in the air or having to manipulate rigid and large cables that are often used for industrial purposes. Explosion-proof installations have to be performed in power plants, too. All of these mean such projects require an entirely different skill set than what would be asked of a residential electrician, for instance. 

Challenge #2: Executing Electrical Work with or Without Complete Drawings

You might be surprised to learn that sometimes, even the biggest projects are not 100% engineered. Industrial electricians might have to perform a line based on old drawings and end up with the tedious task of tracking disconnected everything before reconnecting them and merging everything using updated controls. Needless to say, it’s a huge challenge to work without modern engineering drawings. An electrician needs to possess creativity, adaptability, and presence of mind in case they need to work without drawings. 

Challenge #3: Ensuring That There’s Continuity of Work in Multiple Locations

Not all electrical contractors are willing to travel for work, so this challenge is more for clients with projects requiring plant relocations. It can be a challenge to find licensed electricians who would be willing to disconnect the electronics and put them back together in an entirely different location. 

Challenge #4: Completing the Project Within the Timeframe and Keeping It Within the Budget

When the project or the electrical repair needed is enormous, the facility will likely shut down for several days or weeks. If you are to perform an upgrade, installation, or repair within the set timeframe, you need to make sure that you deliver the expected outcome at the end of that timeframe. Every single day that the project is delayed means a great financial loss for the company. There’s no time to do on-site training for electricians working in an industrial environment. Everyone who is hired to do a particular job for the project is expected to know exactly what to do because time and money cannot be wasted. 

Challenge #5: Ensuring the Safety from the First Day to the Last Day of the Project

Electrical work can be dangerous. Safety is of utmost importance, no matter what the field might be, but even more so in an industrial setting. The electrical contractor must establish and follow a strict safety program to ensure that all their workers are trained in safe work practices. Accidents of all kinds should be avoided as much as possible. Prior to the start of the project, safety refresher courses may be conducted to ensure that everyone is updated with any changes or requirements. 

Hire Experts in Industrial Electrical Work

These are just some of the challenges that come with electrical work in industrial settings. Like with residential and commercial environments, working in an industrial facility comes with its own set of difficulties that electrical contractors are expected to overcome. It’s because of these challenges that facility owners need to take the responsibility of hiring the electrical team seriously. If you need electricians to work in your industrial facility, you need to ensure that you’re getting professionals with experience and training for the specific jobs that they’ll have to perform. Trust only a company with a solid track record, too. 

B Town Electric is a team of OSHA 10-certified licensed electricians in Belchertown, MA, with trained and experienced professionals knowledgeable in industrial electrical projects. We also perform residential and commercial jobs. Contact us today if you want to know more about our electrical services and to schedule a free estimate.