Electrical distribution equipment powers practically every business on the planet. As such, it is the lifeblood of a business and is responsible for maximising production levels by increasing installation availability and quality, as well as improving a business’ operational expenditure and optimising its capital expenditure.
Few businesses, however, have a clear understanding of how to maintain their equipment optimally or how to predict dangerous and costly faults, especially when electrical infrastructure is not the core focus of the business.
Unfortunately though, this puts these businesses on the back foot in terms of competitiveness. Furthermore, it opens up risk avenues in terms of cost, and threats to the building due to an increased possibility of electrical faults leading to safety risks for employees.
“To minimise these risks for organisations, Schneider Electric created ‘MP4’ services, which assess the performance of customers’ electrical installations and propose improvements to meet their business energy needs,” explains Roland Bartle, business development manager for the Mining, Minerals and Metals (MMM) industry in southern Africa at Schneider Electric, a global specialist in energy management.
The MP4 methodology is based on four steps, producing four detailed plans per customer:
The maintenance plan aids in the development of a tailored maintenance schedule to both ensure the right type of maintenance is applied for each piece of equipment and to minimise equipment downtime. The plan also identifies which maintenance operations the customer can complete and which require a service specialist. “A tailored maintenance plan also helps to keep maintenance costs optimal,” says Bartle.
The modernisation plan indicates which equipment needs to be modernised, and when. It includes guidance for managing equipment end-of-service life and obsolescence (through replacement or retrofit) as well as suggestions for
improving installation performance (by altering the electrical architecture).
The monitoring plan recommends a strategy to implement a monitoring system, taking into account the customer’s specific requirements. It includes an assessment of existing monitoring capabilities and clear recommendations on where, how and why to improve monitoring.
Lastly, is the management plan, which focuses on organisational aspects of operating and maintenance activities. It also reinforces the technical recommendations provided by the other three plans, providing economic control over the recommendations.
The management plan also addresses obsolete equipment and end-of-life steps, spare parts policy and procedures, operating conditions and maintenance contracts, organisation and training of technicians, and a follow-up of the action plan.
Since 2005, when MP4 services were first introduced by Schneider Electric, more than 400 customers, from industries as diverse as buildings, electric utilities, healthcare, industries, MMM, and oil and gas, have undergone MP4 assessments.
The organisation’s MP4 services provide customers with a full assessment of their electrical installations, as well as a clear action plans. In addition, customers receive a list of critical safety issues to be addressed. Bartle highlights that the benefits of MP4 services include improved employee safety, enhanced quality and performance, greater reliability and peace of mind.
“With MP4 services, our customers are provided with a detailed vision of the status of their electrical distribution installation, and four concise plans to help guide them in the future. This helps them to plan maintenance accordingly and avoid costly downtime,” adds Bartle.
“The value of this is clear, it’s peace of mind and the freedom, allowing our customers to focus on their core business,” he says.
