Take A Look At Our
Frequently Asked Questions
At TCS Electrical, Co., we know that hiring an electrician can come with a lot of questions—whether you’re dealing with a sudden power issue or planning a major upgrade. To help you better understand our services and what to expect, we’ve put together answers to some of the most common questions we receive. If you don’t see your question below, feel free to contact us directly—we’re always here to help!
What is an arc flash survey, and why is it important?
An arc flash survey evaluates your electrical system to identify potential arc flash hazards and determine the level of protective equipment required for employees working on or around energized equipment. The survey also helps facilities meet applicable electrical safety standards while improving workplace safety. By identifying potential risks before work is performed, an arc flash survey helps reduce the likelihood of serious injuries and supports a safer working environment.
What is included in a preventative electrical maintenance program?
A preventative electrical maintenance program is designed to keep your electrical system operating safely, efficiently, and reliably. Depending on your facility's needs, the program may include equipment inspections, testing, infrared thermographic surveys, breaker testing, transformer testing, relay testing, ground testing, and other scheduled maintenance services. Regular maintenance helps identify developing issues before they lead to unexpected equipment failures or costly downtime.
How often should commercial and industrial electrical systems be professionally tested?
The appropriate testing schedule depends on your facility, the type of equipment in service, operating conditions, and manufacturer recommendations. Critical power systems often benefit from routine testing as part of a preventative maintenance program. Regular testing helps verify that electrical equipment continues operating as intended while identifying potential problems before they affect daily operations.
Why are infrared thermographic surveys important for electrical equipment?
Infrared thermographic surveys use thermal imaging technology to identify abnormal heat within electrical equipment that may indicate loose connections, overloaded circuits, deteriorating components, or other developing problems. Because thermal imaging can often detect issues before visible signs of failure occur, it allows repairs to be planned proactively, helping improve reliability while reducing unexpected outages.
What is a protective device coordination study?
A protective device coordination study evaluates how breakers, relays, and other protective devices work together during an electrical fault. The goal is to ensure the device closest to the fault operates first, minimizing the impact on the rest of the electrical system. Proper coordination helps improve system reliability, reduce unnecessary outages, and better protect valuable electrical equipment.
What is a short circuit study, and when is one required?
A short circuit study analyzes the amount of fault current that may be present throughout an electrical system during a short circuit. This information helps verify that electrical equipment is properly rated for available fault current and supports the safe design and operation of commercial and industrial electrical systems. Short circuit studies are commonly performed during new construction, facility expansions, or significant electrical system modifications.
