How To Safely Transport Your Power Distribution Equipment

When your company is simultaneously running multiple jobs at once, having to haul material on and off the job on a daily basis can be a very exhausting and time-consuming task. Nonetheless, cleaning up is probably the last thing your crew wants to do before heading home, coiling up cables, stowing away your portable generator, locking out and tagging out equipment, and much more. It can be a daunting task to have to complete every single day!

However, ensuring the proper storage and safe transportation of your power distribution equipment is necessary to keep it in the utmost conditions and guarantees you the satisfaction that it’ll continue to perform the way it’s meant to when you need it most. In this blog, we will be discussing some of the best practices used to keep your power distribution equipment safe and extend its longevity, along with avoiding theft and around the clock protection from unexpected weather.

One of our Vendors, Power Assemblies has launched a free online training program, which we will link at the end of the blog. This interactive training program is very intuitive and explains some of the best tips, techniques, and cable maintenance practices that are recommended for all different types of cable assemblies.

Best Practices for Power Distribution Storage

ATI supplies bulk storage containers such as Buckhorns and Pig Pens that are available directly on our website. These help to maximize the use of space for cable assemblies and power distros and can easily be moved using a pallet jack or forklift. It’s so important to implement habits within your team to help maximize functionality of storage equipment and encourage your team to use them daily. For example, every time they break out the power distros and cable assemblies on your job, there should be a standard routine to pack them up and store them properly at the day’s end. Also, team members should be visually inspecting cables for cuts, tears, or abrasions every day before putting any voltage through these cables. Be sure to examine plugs and connectors, along with the connections on your generator, fluid levels, and check your hoses and fittings for leaks. Remember, standard maintenance is always better than repair. These inspections aren’t only performed to reduce downtime, but also to prevent any hazardous situations from occurring on your job. The last thing we want is an injury on the job site.

Many injuries occur during the process of unloading and loading equipment, and we recommend that all crew members wear a complete set of personal protective equipment (PPE) during this process. Always inspect your load and ensure equipment is properly secured and all tie downs are tight. You know the old expression when you give your straps a good tug and say, “That’s not going anywhere”. Make sure you do that, every time!

While this may seem trivial, it really is so important to double check your tie downs to ensure the safety of your equipment, vehicle, and most importantly the safety of yourself and others. When dealing with power distribution equipment, safety is crucial. If you do not have experience in dealing with electrical and temporary power equipment carrying significant amounts of voltage, ATI Electrical Supply strongly encourages you to reach out to a licensed and certified electrician.

Power Distribution Theft and Safety

One of the main reasons that we encourage the safe transportation and storage of power distribution equipment is because of the theft that occurs so frequently. Copper, switchgear, and power distros can be expensive! Therefore, taking precautions and preventative measures to protect this type of equipment is not only recommended, but it’s essentially required so your gear doesn’t go missing.

Imagine someone came onto the job in the middle of the night and stole a phase out of the distribution panel. The next morning, whomever is starting up that generator is going to run into a surprise that holds a massive safety threat. The entire panel could blow up or melt which could result in severe injuries and thousands of dollars of damages.

The foreman on the job oversees the protection of his or her workers as well as the company’s portable power equipment, therefore it’s essential to take the required precautions to stop these things from happening in the first place. ATI would never want our customers to experience an electrical disaster on their projects. This is why we encourage all ATI team members to stay ahead of the problem and take extreme safety provisions when dealing with our electrical components, so our team and our customers will never have to encounter an electrical hazard. For more information on how to safely handle and transport your temporary power products, get started with Power Assemblies’ interactive course by clicking the link provided below. This will help further your knowledge on how to properly handle, inspect, test, and store cable assemblies safely. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact our portable power group at (800)-597-9311.