How to Prepare your Industrial Facility for Winter Weather
If you wait too long to prepare your industrial facility for winter weather, sudden cold snaps could have a major impact, with ice and snow accumulation leading to short circuits, power outages, or even fires.
But not to worry—taking action well in advance can ensure safety, protect equipment, and reduce costly fixes. Read on for our maintenance checklist and product recommendations.
Your Preventive Maintenance Checklist
Start by following a checklist to prepare your industrial electrical facility for winter:
- Inspect all indoor and outdoor electrical components. Do this well before winter hits to identify corrosion or damage, and repair or replace as needed.
- Insulate pipes and equipment. Insulate any exposed pipes, electrical enclosures, electrical motors, control systems, or outdoor equipment to safeguard against freezing. Consider conducting a heat tracing and insulation audit to prevent power outages.
- Ensure proper ventilation for heat dissipation. Clear away debris and properly calibrate your ventilation system to prevent overheating.
- Develop an emergency preparedness plan. Mitigate potential damage caused by winter storms with a comprehensive plan. Include backup power solutions, quick access to repairs, and other safety protocols.
- Test and service backup generators. Check your backup generators under load conditions to confirm they can handle your facility’s electrical demand during a possible power outage.
- Monitor and maintain battery backup systems. Check battery backup systems, such as uninterruptible power supplies, to ensure they are fully charged and able to operate during a power loss.
- Protect outdoor electrical panels. Install weatherproof enclosures for outdoor electrical panels and junction boxes to prevent moisture from getting in.
- Clear ice buildup on light bulbs and lenses. Winter reduces the efficiency and lifespan of lighting systems, so this is an important winter maintenance measure.
How To Protect Your Equipment: Brands We Recommend
Having the right tools in place now will avoid problems later on. Here are some brands and products we recommend to keep your electrical systems operating smoothly in winter.
Thermon
A leader in process heating, Thermon makes a variety of products to protect your industrial facility from cold weather.
Thermon Heat Trace Cables
Thermon’s self-regulating heat trace cables are world-renowned to protect against freezing and prevent corrosion. The HTSX 9-2-OJ and the HTSX 12-2-OJ, in particular, are standout choices.
Key benefits:
- High temperature resistance. These cables withstand extreme temperatures, making them ideal for steam purging.
- Optimized energy usage. Their self-regulating technology adjusts the heat output based on the surrounding temperature, ensuring optimal energy use and preventing freezing.
- Durability and reliability. These cables protect systems against freezing and corrosion in the long term, reducing maintenance costs and downtime.
Thermon Ruffneck Heaters
Along with cables, Thermon also makes industrial Ruffneck heaters. These are designed for more specialized applications than simply keeping a facility warm.
These industrial-grade heaters perform in the most demanding environments, making them ideal for hazardous locations or industrial locations like parking garages.
Key benefits:
- Safety features. Ruffneck heaters meet stringent industry standards, ensuring safe operation.
- Robust durability. Designed to withstand extreme temperatures and harsh conditions, these heaters provide reliable performance, reducing the need for replacements or repairs.
- Energy efficiency. These heaters deliver maximum heat output with minimal energy consumption.
Powerblankets
Powerblankets help protect outdoor equipment from the harshest of environments. Powerblanket products can be used for anything from protecting propane tanks to ensuring the flow of liquid materials in cold conditions.
Key benefits:
- Versatile temperature control. Powerblankets provide consistent heat, keeping your outdoor equipment safe.
- Targeted heating. These blankets deliver efficient heating where you need it most, reducing your energy consumption.
- Rugged construction. Built to withstand harsh weather conditions, Powerblankets ensure long-lasting performance in extreme cold environments.
Rittal
Enclosure Heaters
Rittal’s enclosure heaters protect sensitive electrical enclosures from moisture and condensation, reducing the risk of short circuits.
Key benefits:
- Temperature regulation. These heaters maintain a consistent internal temperature within enclosures, preventing freezing or overheating.
- Energy efficiency. Rittal enclosure heaters are both cost-effective and environmentally friendly, helping reduce your facility’s energy usage.
- Versatility. These heaters can be used in various enclosures, from control panels to communication boxes.
Read more about how energy-efficient climate control can protect your electrical systems and components year round.
Get Winter Ready
Taking proactive measures to protect your electrical systems and components will keep your operations smoothly humming along all winter—no matter how severe the weather gets. Contact our team to help find anything you need for protection against winter weather.
