A Quick Electrical Substation Maintenance Checklist

What is an Electrical Maintenance Substation Checklist?

In order to maintain the structural and functional integrity of your electrical substations, periodic inspections are essential. 

By identifying potential problems, you can schedule the necessary maintenance and thereby reduce the chances of equipment failure, costly blackouts and unexpected repairs.

To help you accomplish this, we’ve compiled a paper checklist you can print out that will serve as a general inspection guide and contribute to your long-term record-keeping. 

Check out our substation safety inspection checklist below.

Our Electrical Maintenance Substation Checklist

Substation maintenance can vary from one location to another. To account for this, we’ve provided a general guide to substation equipment inspection. 

The following items describe the major components of any given substantiation. Feel free to customize the items to meet your specific needs.

Disconnect Switch

• Switch

Verify that the switch is in the correct operating position (open or closed).

• Porcelain condition

Inspect for any dirt, debris or cracks. Check for indications of puncture or flashover voltage.

• Linkages

Ensure they are in good working order and without damage. Verify that positioning is correct.

• Operating handles

Ensure they are in good working order and without damage. Verify that positioning is correct.

• Motor mechanism

Look for signs of corrosion or other forms of damage. 

• Anti-condensation heaters

Verify that heaters are working correctly. Look for any signs of damage.

Vacuum Circuit Breaker

• Operating mechanism/ Control cabinet

Look for any signs of corrosion, deterioration, or other forms of damage.

• Tank

Look for any signs of corrosion, deterioration, or other forms of damage.

• Anti-condensation heaters

Verify that heaters are working correctly. Look for any signs of damage.

Station Bus and Surge Arrester

• Porcelain condition

Inspect for any dirt, debris or cracks. Check for indications of puncture or flashover voltage.

• Bus connections

Inspect for any damage or discoloration. Check for overheating or burning. Verify the tightness of connections.

Transformers and Tap Changer

• Main tank/ Tap changer – Oil levels 

Look for damage and leaks; verify that the readings are accurate.

• Main tank/ Tap changer – Silica gel

Look for damage and leaks; verify that the readings are accurate.

• Sealed tanks’ pressure gauge

Ensure the gauge denotes positive pressure (>1atm).

• Valves

Inspect for any leaks, damage or corrosion.

• Welds

Inspect for any leaks, damage or corrosion.

• Gaskets

Inspect for any leaks, damage or corrosion.

Structural

• Foundation

Look for cracks, warping or any other signs of deterioration.

Using Maintenance Software to Manage Substations

While this inspection checklist is a good starting point, there are better ways to conduct substation inspections. Instead of using a paper checklist, consider going digital.

By using a sophisticated inspection app, you can customize and optimize data collection by conveniently tracking both quantitative and qualitative information. Plus, the ability to process data in real-time allows for rapid response and more advanced troubleshooting. This will radically improve your substation’s overall performance.

At 60Hertz, our Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) efficiently digitizes your maintenance program. You’ll quickly drive down costs by automating alert-triggered work orders and centrally managing field tickets. What’s more, our TRAK App is intuitive and user-friendly for every field worker.

Contact us today to discover how you can improve your substation inspection checklist.