In industrial and manufacturing facilities, unexpected equipment failure isn’t just an inconvenience—it can lead to expensive downtime, lost productivity, and costly emergency repairs. Yet, many companies take a reactive approach to maintenance, waiting until something breaks before addressing the issue.
The smarter, more cost-effective strategy is Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM)—a proactive approach that helps you avoid breakdowns, extend equipment lifespan, and reduce operational costs. By implementing a structured maintenance plan, you can catch minor issues before they become major failures, ensuring your facility runs smoothly.
In this post, we’ll explain what an effective EPM program should include, the three biggest ways EPM improves operations, and the key to getting the most out of your facility’s EPM annual assessment.
A proactive maintenance strategy is always better than a reactive one. Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) is the practice of “fixing before failure” by identifying and addressing potential electrical issues before they cause costly disruptions or, worse, a dangerous explosion.
An effective EPM program includes:
Now, let’s look at the top three ways EPM benefits your business and operations.
Unplanned electrical failures can be one of the most costly disruptions to operations. Emergency repairs, replacement parts, and downtime quickly add up—often exceeding the cost of regular maintenance.
An Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) program helps avoid these expenses by proactively identifying and addressing minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs or complete system failures. Well-maintained electrical systems also operate more efficiently, preventing unnecessary energy waste and reducing electricity costs.
In the event of an equipment issue or failure, a well-documented EPM plan streamlines troubleshooting. With a detailed maintenance record, technicians can quickly assess the history of the system, diagnose problems accurately, and implement solutions without the guesswork saving both time and money.
It’s important to see your company’s machinery like an ecosystem — every piece of equipment serves a purpose, and when one fails, another may have to work harder to make up for it. Delaying maintenance doesn’t just increase repair costs; it can also cause cascading failures across your facility. For example:
Ready to create your facility's tailored Electrical Preventive Maintenance (EPM) plan? Click here to learn everything you need to know!
Regular electrical maintenance plays a crucial role in creating a safe, comfortable, and highly productive work environment. A well-maintained electrical system minimizes disruptions, optimizes efficiency, and protects both employees and equipment.
The following are all ways scheduled maintenance helps boost productivity:
Check out our case studies to see how Lemberg’s electrical services have kept Milwaukee-area businesses up and running for nearly 100 years.
The key to an effective EPM program is meticulous documentation/reports and the use of comprehensive maintenance checklists. Some would even go so far as to say that without them, your EPM goals will likely flounder and fail.
Keeping a detailed record of all elements of an electrical assessment and any maintenance that results from it are imperative for several reasons:
Creating an electrical preventive maintenance checklist is an effective way to track and manage preventive maintenance tasks. In addition to your annual EPM assessment, regular inspections by properly trained personnel can help identify potential risks early, such as unusual odors or debris buildup around equipment. Training staff to recognize these warning signs allows for early intervention, preventing minor issues from escalating into major system failures.
Download our Electrical Preventive Maintenance Checklist to identify areas in your organization that would benefit from routine maintenance and review.
An EPM program isn’t just an expense—it’s a smart investment that reduces costs, prevents downtime, and enhances overall operational efficiency.
At Lemberg, we’ve been serving businesses in Milwaukee and southeastern Wisconsin for nearly 100 years, providing expert electrical maintenance, repair, and troubleshooting services. Our experienced electricians take the time to thoroughly assess your facility and create a customized EPM plan tailored to your specific needs.
We’ll help you prioritize maintenance tasks, from immediate repairs to long-term planning, ensuring your electrical systems operate at peak performance. With a proactive approach, you can minimize risks, improve efficiency, and extend the lifespan of your equipment.
Ready to establish a preventive maintenance program for your organization? Contact Lemberg today to get started.