These specialists are well-versed in the electrical needs of farming equipment and can ensure that your electrical systems are up-to-code, safe, and efficient for your team. At P&L Electric, we specialize in agricultural electrical services, and we support ranches, farms, and growing operations across the United States with reliable electrical support.
Over the years, we've seen a wide range of electrical problems in agricultural settings and environments, some more often than others. To help you get ahead of the curve, let's take a deep dive into the most common electrical problems that affect agricultural businesses.
1. Lack of Shock-Proof Systems
We've heard of and seen many horror stories on farms and ranches where the owners and operators do not bother to invest in a sufficient number of shock-proof systems. This decision is often driven by financial considerations, however, there are many affordable shock-proof systems out there that can be cost-effective for your operations. Without sufficient insulators in place, you risk harming yourself, your workers, and even your animals.
For instance, let's assume you have a milking machine for cows on your ranch. Electricity may be delivered to your cows through the milk line, which can negatively impact their health and can cause them to distrust you and/or the machine. Obviously, those negative impacts are not ideal for your production.
By connecting with agriculture electricians, you can ensure that all your facility's systems are outfitted with the necessary insulators and components to avoid painful shocks.
2. Power Surges and Outages
Many farms and agricultural environments end up experiencing recurring power surges and outages. These can be caused by a variety of factors, such as lightning strikes, faulty wiring, or issues with the power grid. Whatever the case may be on your property, power surges and outages can disrupt your operations, damage equipment, and even pose safety risks to your workers.
If you are experiencing consistent power surges at your business, you'll need to contact an agricultural electrician to pinpoint the reasons behind these issues and develop a custom solution for your facilities. They can properly test your systems, identify areas of concern, and implement techniques to optimize your energy usage.
3. Breaker Panel Failures
All power coming to your property flows through the breaker panel, and unfortunately, these panels can deteriorate at a faster rate on agricultural facilities than on other properties. This is because agricultural facilities like livestock barns often experience higher levels of humidity, exposure to corrosive gases, and more. As such, these panels can encounter electrical failure over time, which can lead to consistent circuit breaker trips and elevated risk of fire and other hazards.
When you notice your electrical panel is looking worse for wear, it's a good idea to seek agricultural electrical services ASAP. Your dedicated electrical specialist will be able to safely and efficiently replace your electrical panel box, remedy all loose connections, and check for damage in other areas.
4. Voltage Issues for Equipment
Voltage (V) is the measurement of the electric potential flowing through a system. You can think of it as the "pressure" that pushes electricity into an electronic device. Higher voltages cause more electricity to flow, and lower voltages restrict the flow of electricity.
Most pieces of farm equipment are designed to operate within a specific voltage range. When the voltage is too low, the amperage (i.e., the "rate" of the electrical current) will increase and that can cause components to melt down or for the equipment to malfunction. In addition, low voltage can lead to problems like:
- Reduced efficiency
- Overheating
- Motor damage
- Shorter operational lifespan
- Potential fire hazards
For example, let's assume you install a new piece of equipment, like a large feed system, into your facility. Combined with the other electrical demands throughout your facility, the additional loads can reduce the voltage sent to the newly installed equipment. As a result, your feeding system will struggle to run at optimal efficiency and may fail sooner than expected.
If you notice pieces of your farm equipment struggling to run or failing consistently, there may be a voltage issue affecting your property. An agricultural electrician can help correct that issue for your operations.
Optimize Your Operations with our Reliable Agriculture Electricians
At P&L Electric, we have extensive experience installing, repairing, and upgrading electrical solutions on agricultural facilities. Our electrical specialists have designed custom systems for all kinds of farms, ranches, and livestock operations across the United States that have integrated the latest and greatest solutions for modern farming practices. If you're concerned about your facility's electrical safety or just want to enhance your operational efficiency, our team is ready to help.
Contact P&L Electric today to learn more about our agricultural electrical services and how we can support your needs.