What people may not be so familiar with, however, is the role of a mission-critical power specialist. Yes, that does correctly imply that mission-critical power specialists are experts in mission-critical power situations and environments, but they also do much more.

Mission-Critical Power Specialists

The work and role of mission-critical power specialists like the team at Ham’s Electric, Inc. go well beyond providing uninterrupted power supply (UPS) options, or being a source for emergency generator power. In fact, mission-critical power specialists address the entire operation before, during, and after major power failures, system shutdowns, and other operational catastrophes.

Mission-Critical Environments

The phrase "mission critical" conjures up images of space odysseys or types of Hollywood end-of-days movie scenes. While those scenarios are greatly embellished, for the most part, the life-and-death element is very real for each mission-critical environment.

The most practical definition of a mission-critical environment is any scenario where the operations of any type of organization or business are at risk of becoming inoperable. That can be for dire operations such as hospitals or first responder services, to manufacturing facilities, transportation services, or communications facilities, among others.

Mission-critical power specialists begin by installing with worst-case scenarios in mind. They provide reliable backup systems for computer systems, power generation resources for all essential operations, and continuity planning programs, in addition to other emergency and preventative measures.

Ham’s Electric, Inc.: Mission-Critical Power Specialists

Welcome to Ham’s Electric, Inc., where we have been the mission-critical power specialist for operations throughout the Inland Empire. Since 1986, we have delivered mission-critical power services for hospital systems, telecom installations, computer facilities, critical equipment installations, critical power systems, and more. 

At Ham’s Electric, Inc., we have successfully installed a wide range of medical systems, including MRI, NICU, ICU/CCU, switchgears, labs, nurse callers, surge protectors, fire alarms, and telecommunications. When your operations become a mission-critical environment, you want Ham’s Electric as your mission-critical power specialist.

We are your primary choice for installation, service, and maintenance, and as you should expect from your mission critical power specialist, we provide 24-hour emergency service. Contact us to learn more or to schedule a consultation today. 

1. Buzzing or Sparking

If your conductors are overloaded, you will constantly hear a buzzing or sparking noise. The sound will be more pronounced when you touch the conductor with your hand. The current passing causes the sound through the conductor. If you hear this noise, it’s time to unplug some of the appliances and devices connected to the circuit. The regular occurrence of this noise indicates that you need to upgrade your electrical system.

2. Tripped Circuit Breakers or Blown Fuses

If you have a lot of devices and appliances running on the same circuit, you will likely trip the circuit breaker or blow a fuse. This usually happens when the conductor gets too hot and can’t handle the current anymore. If this happens frequently, you need to get a new circuit breaker or install a higher-capacity fuse. Make sure to call a professional electrician to do this for you.

3. Burning Smell

Another sign that your conductor is overloaded is when you smell burning from the electrical panel or outlet. This happens when the insulation on the conductor melts due to the heat. You need to turn the power off immediately and call an electrician to replace the conductor. Allowing this to continue can have devastating consequences, such as starting an electrical fire.

4. Discoloration

If you notice that your outlets and switches are discolored, it’s another sign of an overloaded conductor. The heat from the current passing through will cause the plastic to change color. In some cases, the plastic might even start to melt. This is a serious issue that needs to be addressed immediately. You must ensure the power is turned off and call an electrician to inspect the problem.

5. Flickering or Dimming Lights

The issue of flickering or dimming lights is a tricky one. Sometimes it could be caused by an overloaded conductor. However, it could also be caused by a loose connection or a faulty appliance. If you notice that the lights are flickering or dimming frequently, have an electrician check your electrical system to determine the cause. You don’t have to wait until the lights go out entirely before you act.

6. Regular Power Problems

The issue of power problems is another tricky one. Sometimes, the problem could be caused by an overloaded conductor. However, it could also be caused by a faulty appliance or a loose connection. If you notice that you’re having power problems regularly, have an electrician check your electrical system to determine the cause.

Conclusion

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call an electrician. Trying to fix the problem yourself is not worth the risk, and electrical work is best left to the professionals. Not only will they be able to fix the problem quickly and efficiently, but they will also be able to advise you on how to prevent the problem from happening again. Contact Ham’s Electric, Inc. today to schedule a consultation.

Installing Lighting Controls

Lighting controls will help you reduce your energy bills. Even though there are many areas in your building where you need lights 24/7, you can install occupancy sensors in certain rooms. These rooms can be meeting rooms, examination rooms, and offices. Installing dimmers in patient rooms is also a good idea, especially if patients stay overnight. Dimmers allow them to control lighting in their rooms and feel more satisfied. 

Switching To LED Lighting 

If you switch to LED lighting, you will be able to save a lot. Here are three effective options that will allow you to save your energy: 

• Retrofit light fixtures and light bulbs. This option will allow you to save the most, but it is also the most expensive one. 
• Retrofit light bulbs. Your hospital probably has a lot of linear fluorescent tubes installed across the building. You can replace them with LED lighting, which is also a great savings option. 
• Retrofit areas where the lights are on 24/7. These areas may include hallways, lobby, stairwells, waiting rooms, and others. Safety is the primary concern in these areas, so the burn time can be quite high. Even if you retrofit in these areas only, you will be able to save a lot. 

HVAC Optimization And Maintenance

Another proven effective method to reduce energy costs is to do HVAC preventative maintenance. If you recommission your existing HVAC equipment, you will be able to improve energy efficiency in a hospital or any other type of commercial building by 10%. Also, make sure to replace air handling filters regularly, replace leaking steam traps, and clean cooling towers. This all will help you save on your energy bills. 

Ham’s Electric, Inc. – Power Specialist In Upland, CA

If you are searching for a company specializing in providing quality and energy-efficient electrical service, Ham’s Electric, Inc. will meet your needs. Since 1986, we have been working with various commercial facilities, including hospitals, computer facilities, data centers, and others by helping them reduce electrical costs and save energy. If you have any questions, or you want to receive more information about our services, feel free to reach out to us. 

Assess Your Power Infrastructure

Your power infrastructure will be one of the determinants when selecting a UPS provider. Take the time to understand your current power distribution. Some of the questions that can help you get a clear understanding include:

• How often do you get power outages, spikes or sags?
• Is your utility provider stable?
• Is there a neighboring business that could disrupt the power in your facility?
• Historically, has the building experienced constant power issues, and have they ever been addressed?

Answering these questions gives you a clear picture of the kind of uninterruptible power supply system you need for your facility.

Care and Maintenance

A UPS system needs maintenance to function properly. You can spend a lot of money on a UPS system, but if you do not maintain it, it will fail when you need it the most. It is estimated that what you spend on a UPS system is only 50% of what maintaining it will cost you. The system will require batteries, fan replacement, capacitors and general maintenance. For instance, a UPS may require three batteries during its life cycle. Check the types of battery needed, the expected life, warranties, etc. If you can, get an extended warranty. It will help reduce some of these maintenance bills.

Choosing the Best UPS and Generator Service Provider

Choosing a mission-critical facility power provider is also an important step in helping reduce power complications that can interfere with operations. Some of the things you might want to look at include:

• Services offered: Identify which services you will need and ensure that you work with a provider that offers them.
• Years of experience: Years of experience result in knowledge of how to handle various situations. Plus, such a provider can help you navigate complex situations.
• Ease of contact: Ideally, you need to work with a provider that is available when needed. This will help streamline processes and avoid confusion.

Determine Your Uptime Requirements

In most mission-critical facilities, lost time equates to lost revenue. However, each company has its own uptime requirements. For instance, in one company, a two-minute power outage may simply be a nuisance. For another, it can have a huge impact that affects product delivery and the reputation of the company. Before spending money on a UPS solution, determine the downtime that would cost your company. You can increase reliability by choosing a piece of equipment with a high Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF).

With these tips, you are now ready to choose a mission-critical power specialist for your company. Ham’s Electric, Inc. is a power specialist that has provided services to computer facilities, hospital systems and more. We also provide 24-hour emergency service. Call us today for any installation, service and maintenance of uninterruptible power supply systems.

Who Are Mission-Critical Specialists and What Do They Do?

These are experienced technicians that can effectively manage companies’ critical power needs. In today’s world that is constantly demanding, and time equates to money, companies cannot afford to have downtime due to a lack of power supply.

One of the duties of mission-critical specialists is to design an electrical infrastructure that suits your needs. These are people experienced with issues like generators and UPS systems. Once the installation is done, the specialists test the systems to ensure they are functioning as they should. Besides that, you can schedule annual tests for them to check whether there are any weak links and fix them before there is any damage. During the routine maintenance check, the specialists might also recommend any program upgrades if the systems you are using are no longer effective. It is advisable to have the systems upgraded as any unplanned outages can affect your bottom line if you are using an obsolete system.

How a Mission-Critical Specialist Can Help Your Business

If your business cannot afford any downtime caused by power outages, then you need to work with such a team. Here is how a mission-critical specialist can help your business.

They Have Experience

One of the ways you can benefit from these specialists is that they have knowledge of mission-critical power systems. That means whatever electrical issue you want to address in your business, the specialist will help you. Take a data network company, for example. You need an experienced specialist that will help you choose the right power backup system for the company. Through in-depth knowledge combined with experience, a specialist will analyze the needs of your company and recommend the right system for you.

They Offer a Variety of Services

Some of the services you can expect from a mission-critical specialist include:

• Installation of the right uninterruptible power supply system.
• Regular maintenance to extend the life of your UPS system.
• 24-hour emergency service.
• Scalable solutions that adapt to your current environment.
• Prompt customer care service from a specialist that is familiar with the mechanics of mission-critical power.

They Fix Problems Before They Happen

In addition to expert consultation on equipment design and installation, mission specialists also offer predictive failure analysis services. If you are a company that relies on constant power supply, it can be a nightmare to experience unexpected power interruptions. Predictive failure analysis helps prevent equipment failures before they happen.

At Ham’s Electric, Inc., we pride ourselves on offering these services and much more. We have highly skilled technicians that have been trained to understand and manage the critical power supply needs of different facilities. Give us a call today, and we will help maintain your critical power systems.