High Voltage Services

Many commercial and industrial buildings in our area are large enough to require substations, a set of high voltage equipment directly from the utility company. In the Philadelphia Metropolitan area the local utility companies allow large customers to install and maintain their own high voltage substations enabling them to obtain a reduced rate structure.

While having your own high voltage service is a good investment and may result in savings in your electric bill, there are three issues that are a concern to a building owner. These are maintenance, service, and life expectancy.

Life Expectancy of High Voltage Equipment

High voltage equipment and switchgear has a life expectancy of fifty years when properly maintained. Any high voltage equipment over twenty years old should be inspected annually to avoid a disruption of service, causing shutdown and loss of possible business. High voltage cable is good for longer periods if not overloaded and visually inspected at all terminals.

Maintenance of High Voltage Equipment

Although most high voltage equipment has no moving parts, high voltage switchgear and transformers require periodic cleaning, tightening, and adjustment. After cleaning, a visual inspection for overheating and wear should be performed. After maintenance testing of the equipment, the equipment should be re-energized and re-tested to assure the ratings on the equipment have not been exceeded. Our personnel will schedule a time with your facility manager to perform this work.

Emergency Service for High Voltage Equipment

Due to unforeseen reasons, high voltage equipment can fail. At times it can be something as simple as a rodent that has entered the equipment. In other cases major equipment failures may occur which require entire replacement. Shelly Electric can respond immediately with the proper tools to determine what has caused the failure. In many cases we can perform the repairs in a few hours. On more complex calls we can work around the clock to insure that you have no disruption of your operation.