As industrial and commercial electricians, we’ve seen firsthand how the elements can wreak havoc on a business’s electrical infrastructure. In a state like Arkansas, where we experience everything from humid summers to severe thunderstorms and even occasional ice storms, your electrical equipment is constantly under attack. It’s easy to focus on the day-to-day operations and overlook the silent threats that are slowly but surely degrading your systems. Ignoring these environmental factors—dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures—isn’t an option. It’s a risk to your productivity, your budget, and the safety of your entire operation.
Think about the sophisticated equipment that powers your facility—the motor control centers, the switchgear, the sensitive electronics. They are designed to operate within specific parameters, and when those parameters are pushed by external forces, the risk of failure increases exponentially. When a critical piece of equipment goes down, it’s not just an inconvenience; it can bring your entire production line to a halt. This is why being proactive about electrical system protection is one of the most important investments you can make for your business’s future.
The Enemies Within: Dust and Dirt
Dust might seem harmless, but in an industrial setting, it can be a silent killer for your electrical systems. Airborne particles, metal shavings, and debris can settle on and inside electrical components. When dust builds up, it acts as an insulator, trapping heat and preventing proper cooling. This can cause components to overheat, leading to premature failure and costly downtime.
Furthermore, dust combined with moisture creates a conductive sludge. This is a recipe for disaster. The contaminated film can create “tracking,” a pathway for electrical current to arc between components. This can lead to short circuits, fires, and catastrophic equipment failure. Regular cleaning with specialized equipment is a good first step, but it’s often not enough to fully combat this issue.
The Threat of Moisture: A Recipe for Corrosion
Humidity is a constant factor in the Arkansas climate, and it’s a major enemy of electrical systems. Moisture in the air can condense inside enclosures and on circuitry, leading to corrosion and rust on metal components. This corrosion weakens connections, increases resistance, and can eventually cause equipment to fail.
A short circuit is perhaps the most immediate danger of moisture. A single drop of water in the wrong place can bridge two conductors, causing an electrical arc that can damage the equipment and pose a serious safety risk. The same humidity that makes our summers so sticky can compromise the integrity of your entire electrical system if left unaddressed.
The Temperature Tango: How Heat and Cold Harm Your Equipment
Arkansas’s climate swings from extreme heat to occasional freezing temperatures. Both ends of the spectrum are bad news for electrical equipment. On hot days, your system’s internal temperature rises, adding to the heat generated by the equipment itself. This can push components beyond their safe operating limits, accelerating insulation breakdown on wires and windings. The “10-degree rule” is a good industry rule of thumb: for every 10°C increase above a device’s rated operating temperature, its lifespan can be halved.
On the other hand, extreme cold can also cause problems. Wires and components can become brittle and crack, making them more susceptible to damage. Rapid temperature changes—such as when a hot summer day is followed by a sudden thunderstorm—can cause condensation to form inside enclosures, introducing the moisture issues we’ve already discussed.
The Proactive Approach: Shielding Your Investment
Now that we know the threats, what can you do? The first line of defense is choosing the right protective enclosures. This is where industry standards like NEMA and IP ratings come into play. You don’t need to be an engineer to understand them, but you do need to know their importance.
NEMA (National Electrical Manufacturers Association) ratings, commonly used in North America, and IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, the international standard, are designed to tell you exactly what an enclosure can withstand. A NEMA 4X enclosure, for example, is built to resist dust, rain, splashing water, and even hose-directed water, and it also offers corrosion resistance. A higher IP rating like IP66 means the enclosure is dust-tight and protected against powerful water jets.
The right enclosure ensures that your critical components are sealed off from the harmful environment. It’s a non-negotiable step for protecting your investment and ensuring operational continuity.
The Importance of a Climate-Controlled Environment
Enclosures are a great start, but they are part of a larger strategy. In many industrial and commercial settings, temperature and humidity control are critical. Installing industrial-grade HVAC systems and proper ventilation can help maintain the ideal operating conditions for your equipment.
This is especially important for areas like server rooms, where sensitive electronics are running 24/7. Managing the ambient air temperature and humidity levels prevents overheating and condensation, two of the most damaging factors for IT infrastructure.
This blog post was created by Ag Electric Services, LLC, an Arkansas based electrical and general contractor serving the following areas of Central and Eastern Arkansas: McCrory, Augusta, Newport, Wynne, Brinkley, Des Arc, Forrest City, Hickory Ridge, Cherry Valley, Tuckerman, Jonesboro, Searcy, Pangburn, Heber Springs, Greers Ferry, Rosebud, Quitman, Romance, Kensett, Georgetown, Cabot, Beebe, El Paso, Hickory Plains, Carlisle, Lonoke, Little Rock, North Little Rock, Sherwood, Jacksonville, Maumelle, Conway, Mayflower, Vilonia. If you would like more information about the services we provide, please click “Services” in the main menu, or contact us through the online information request form on the “Contact Us” page.