During extreme summer heatwaves in Saudi Arabia, having capable electrical systems is of utmost importance. The increased temperatures, coupled with energy usage, can lead to system failures due to increased stress placed on the equipment. It ultimately leads to overloads, short circuits, and possibly damaged equipment. Expert electrical troubleshooting is required to keep complex electrical systems working in such adverse conditions. It can help reduce downtime and risk to the system from prolonged high ambient temperatures. Silver Foundation is recognized for its quality in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Its demand for electrical troubleshooting services is considered for the summer months. Silver Foundation can quickly identify, diagnose, and troubleshoot electrical issues using qualified technicians and years of electrical experience for residences, commercial buildings, and industrial sites in the KSA.
Electrical troubleshooting refers to the process of diagnosing and repairing electrical problems in residences, commercial buildings, or industrial sites during the sweltering summer season. This can include repairing overloaded circuits, fixing damaged electrical panels, replacing overheated wiring, and diagnosing faults in HVAC systems or any equipment sensitive to heat. The purpose of troubleshooting is to restore power as quickly as possible to ensure safety and limit further damage to the electrical system.
Troubleshooting electrical problems during the summer is more common in Saudi Arabia due to the extreme looming heat, often into the 45°C (113°F) and beyond. The heat puts a lot of stress on the power grid, and the demand for air conditioning and ventilated cooling systems goes up exponentially. Overloaded systems, poor ventilation, and aging electrical systems are more susceptible to failure as demand for electrical systems and heat stress is at their highest, leading to many power outages, short circuits, malfunctioning equipment, etc. Electricians and maintenance teams are usually considered to be on high alert for the influx of electrical problems that tend to happen in the summertime.
1. Book Pre-Summer Electrical Inspections
Before being immersed in a significant heat wave, identifying electrical issues in residential and commercial facilities and industrial sites is essential. An electrical inspection can help determine age, wiring, loose connections, overloaded circuits, and a host of electrical components that are simply too worn out. Electricians should consider the sizes of circuit breakers, insulation, and corrosion caused by desert dust and humid areas. Identifying and addressing issues early helps and allows the property owner to get issues identified before waiting until the very last minute and being stuck with downed systems when they are trying their hardest to keep systems cool. Pre-summer check-ups (before peak heat) promote proactive maintenance and enhance the visibility of issues that could become issues. Preventative pre-summer check-ups are also a great investment to assure safety and operational status during the most challenging times for HVAC systems in the summer months.
2. Switch to Heat-Resistant Components
There are common electrical components that just can’t handle heat extremes, especially in outdoor or poorly ventilated areas, and they switch all that heat stress into the component. Changing out (% heat-rated thermal as well) to heat-rated cables, insulation materials, and circuit components will improve performance in higher-temperature environments. Switching heat-rated thermal circuit breakers, temperature-rated wiring (THHN or XHHW, for example), and enclosure and junction boxes to UV-rated products will enhance an electrical system’s longevity and lifespan significantly. Switching to higher-rated components will also help limit melting/shorts/circuit layering/increased or variable resistances, which feed off one another during high heat during heatwave conditions. While heat-rated components may be slightly more expensive, the initial increase in cost will pay off with fewer risks of loss when there are operational hazards down the road on a more incremental/simple system.
3. Adopt Smart Load Management Systems
A contributor to electrical breakdowns, charging the equipment during heatwaves is overloading caused by overlapping use of large energy-driven assets such as air conditioning equipment, industrial compressors, and pumps. Smart load management systems can assist with a more balanced distribution of electrical demand to the various circuits within your installation. These load management systems can control the turning off/on of loads based on energy consumption and typical usage. For instance, a Smart On/off controller can delay the startup of specified large equipment, preventing spikes in demand during peak demand periods. All of this technology can also be connected to Building Management Systems (BMS) so that energy efficiency can be maximized, electrical failures can be reduced, and better asset performance and operations can occur during your busiest times of the year or hottest weather periods.
4. Regularly Maintain HVAC & Cooling Systems
Air Conditioning equipment will use up the lion’s share of power during the summer in Saudi Arabia. Many of these systems can quickly become energy inefficient if not properly maintained. Many unit developments will end up being called ‘energy hogs’ or, worse, ‘catastrophic failures’ or ‘conversational failures’ because of years of neglect of service, which will create electricity supply circuit trips and over-current problems. All technicians must maintain evaporators and condensing coils, and thorough checks of the refrigerants, filters, fan motors, capacitors, and coils must be adhered to routinely. You should get your HVAC system operating at its best efficiency and, consequently, have less demand for the complete electrical setup. At the same time, have a lesser reactive maintenance callout and considerably limit the dramatic risks to your occupants that rely on cool air conditioning units to survive such extreme heat.
5. Utilize Thermal Imaging to Identify Overheating
Thermal imaging is an incredibly useful diagnostic tool for detecting overheating in electrical systems, which is often not easily identifiable. By running thermal imaging on panels, junction boxes, and switchboards, electricians can identify areas of unwanted heat, which typically indicates loose connections, unbalanced load, or defective components. Identifying these “hot spots” early may prevent fire, equipment damage, or even loss of power. The method is non-invasive and can be used for routine inspections when unplanned downtime is an unacceptable proposition, like at hospitals, data centers, and in the manufacturing sector. By including thermal imaging in a regular troubleshooting approach, early detection capabilities and predictive maintenance increase, which ultimately increases safety.
6. Install Backup Power Systems and Surge Protection
Power interruptions and voltage fluctuations are normal features of extreme heat events when the grid is under stress. In situations where the reliability of electrical current is critical to operations, energy storage devices should be used, be it uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), batteries, or diesel generators. Your particular application should dictate the choice of backup systems, and each system must be of the appropriate size and receive an appropriate level of make-ready work to be ready to activate immediately when you require it. Surge protectors should also be used to protect sensitive electronics against potentially damaging current spikes that may occur when power is eventually restored. This is important for IT equipment, security systems, and communications systems, too. In summary, backup systems provide peace of mind and protection for your investment and data during critical moments.
7. Train Yourself and Establish Emergency Procedures
Whether a residential complex, commercial building, or industrial facility, having a trained team and procedures for an emergency is essential during heat waves. Staff should know how to identify signs of electrical failure, the importance of “load checking,” and how and when to turn down systems safely. Emergency procedures should also contain contact information for electricians, procedures for isolating potential faults, and all safety protocols to prevent fire or injury. Regular practice of those emergency procedures will ensure everyone is aware of their responsibilities during an electrical emergency. When you couple that with good communication, it can help lessen panic, help mitigate the situation, and resolve minor issues before they escalate into an emergency.
Powering Electrical Systems with Precision – Silver Foundation
Whether it’s residential wiring or industrial electrical solutions, Silver Foundation carries out trusted, competent, and safe electrical services across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Supported by expert technicians and a dedication to electrical engineering excellence, we ensure systems are well managed – no matter the size. Hire us for the best electrical solutions and maintenance services.
Frequently Asked Questions
What electrical services can I expect to find with Silver Foundation?
We provide electrical installations, maintenance, and troubleshooting services for homes, businesses, and manufacturers across KSA.
Are Silver Foundation electricians certified?
Yes. All technicians are certified and trained to execute projects both safely and professionally.
Do we provide emergency electrical services?
Yes. We provide emergency electrical support at any hour of the day or night, so we can help you get urgent electrical problems sorted out promptly.
Can Silver Foundation work on large industrial jobs?
For sure! We work with large high-voltage systems, as well as control panels and complicated industrial electrical configurations.
How do I request a service or a quote?
Contact us directly over the phone or fill out the contact form on our website, and we will respond in a timely manner.