Operation and maintenance-the users view point

The author argues that a client should understand that to achieve the most cost effective operation he must respect the services of the engineers he employs, whether they be designers, installers, operations or maintenance and each should listen to the views of the other. In order to fully appreciate the requirements for maintenance it is necessary to define the extent of the electrical installation and therefore he suggests that we define the areas as: (1) mains supply-33 kV, 11 kV, main LV switch board generator, UPS transformers; (2) distribution-LV networks and distribution boards; and (3) lighting and small power circuits-luminaries, portable appliances. While the application of maintenance to each area will vary, the underlying principles remain unchanged