Risk Mitigation in Electrical Distribution & PFC Systems: A Multi-Layered Strategy
Ensuring the safety and reliability of Electrical Distribution Boards (DBs) and PFC Systems requires a multi-layered Risk Mitigation approach. Augos advocates for real-time safety sensing (temperature/smoke), proactive control (automated switching), and annual professional surveys.
The Challenge: Electrical Fire Risk in South Africa
The risk of electrical fire is significantly heightened in South Africa due to grid instability and frequent voltage fluctuations. These stresses accelerate component degradation in Electrical Distribution Boards and Power Factor Correction systems.
Without real-time safety sensing, proactive control, and annual professional surveys including thermal imaging, hidden hot spots and loose connections remain invisible during routine visual checks. This creates a dangerous environment where developing faults can escalate into catastrophic failures that damage valuable assets and endanger personnel.
The Augos Solution: Multi-Layered Risk Mitigation
Preventing catastrophic failures begins with continuous vigilance. Modern Cloud-based sensor technology enables real-time access to the vital signs of your electrical infrastructure. Temperature sensors monitor ambient temperature within panels and DB rooms, with Smart Triggers configured to alert instantly when operating temperatures approach dangerous levels.
Dedicated smoke and gas detectors within panels identify harmful gases and smoke, ensuring safety for both electrical systems and personnel. Power Factor and load monitoring continuously tracks conditions, with immediate alerts when Power Factor drops below set thresholds. Sensing must be paired with control capabilities—automated systems safely disconnect power in cases of detected anomalies (overcurrent, short circuits, overheating, smoke), while dedicated fire suppression systems swiftly detect and extinguish fires at the source. Harmonic measurement and mitigation protects sensitive electrical and PFC equipment from long-term damage.
The Result: Comprehensive Asset Protection
Proactive risk mitigation is an ongoing cycle that requires expert assessment and planned intervention. Electrical and Power Factor Correction equipment must be professionally surveyed at least every twelve months (more often in environments with high heat or dust) to ensure safe working condition.
Thermal imaging using infrared cameras captures images showing subtle temperature variations, identifying hidden hot spots and potential overheating in electrical panels. The data from all sensing and survey activities enables condition-based maintenance scheduled during low-impact periods, moving away from high-cost, high-risk emergency fixes while minimizing damage, downtime, and ensuring personnel safety.
Key Takeaways
Real-time temperature, smoke, and Power Factor monitoring provides continuous vigilance over electrical infrastructure
Automated switching and fire suppression systems enable immediate action before detected anomalies escalate
Annual thermal imaging surveys identify hidden hot spots and loose connections invisible during visual inspections
Condition-based maintenance using sensor data enables planned repairs during low-impact periods