Maintenance, Repair & Operations

Fix Frustration Factors — Part 6

Aug. 4, 2020

Ignoring power quality problems can lead to worker dissatisfaction.

A sure way to demoralize and frustrate maintenance electricians is to let power quality problems go unaddressed. Perhaps some of the following examples echo what goes on in your facility:

Bob replaced a particular motor three times in the past year. Each time, he noted on the repair ticket that voltage imbalance was 6% and causing the motor to overheat. But nothing has been done. Bob says the company acts as if his work does not matter.
A few years back, the plant installed power factor (PF) correction capacitors at the service to avoid a PF charge from the utility. However, as every maintenance electrician has pointed out (and so has the utility engineer for the area), the company is still paying for low PF in the plant. Transformers run hot and motors overheat to failure. The plant is paying extra to overheat equipment.
Excess triplen harmonics have caused avoidable equipment damage. The electricians want a root cause analysis and solution, but the plant engineer will not commission one.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.