Maintenance, Repair & Operations

Outsourcing Infrastructure Maintenance

Oct. 5, 2021

Mid- or small-sized plant maintenance teams may not have the specialty skillsets needed for some tasks.

In the typical mid- to small-sized manufacturing plant (and similar facilities), the maintenance crew is just barely enough to satisfy the demands of maintaining the production equipment. Management takes for granted that the service transformers, service switchgear, service power factor correction capacitors, main power switches, service panel breakers, and main feeders from the service are, and always will be, in proper working order.

Maintaining these items requires several specialty skillsets plus special test equipment, special tools, and special PPE. It is rare that any mid- or small-sized manufacturing plant has even half the test equipment needed to properly assess the condition of their feeder cables, much less these other items.

What about all the distribution transformers, panels, breakers, and conductors? Typically, some maintenance is done here with a combination of visual inspections and DMM readings. Some of these plants may have a power analyzer, harmonics analyzer, or other more advanced test equipment but they often fail to provide their personnel with the training needed to fully leverage that equipment investment.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.