Got a factory or warehouse that needs electrical work? We do industrial electrical services all around Christchurch and the wider Canterbury area. Three-phase power machinery wiring emergency repairs the whole deal.
A couple months back I was called out to a manufacturing plant in Sockburn. Their main production line went down cause a circuit breaker kept tripping. They were losing thousands of dollars every hour the line was stopped. Turned out one of the motors was pulling too much current cause it was getting old and the bearings were wearing out. We got them back running temporarily and they scheduled a proper fix for the weekend.
What Kind of Industrial Electrical Work Do We Do
Industrial electrical is different from residential or even regular commercial work. You're dealing with way higher voltages bigger loads three-phase power heavy machinery. Its not something you want just any electrician messing with.
We work on factories warehouses workshops processing plants cold storage facilities all that stuff. Mostly around the industrial areas like Woolston Bromley Sockburn and out towards Rolleston where theres heaps of big warehouses now.
Three-Phase Power Installation and Repairs
Most industrial sites run on three-phase power cause its way more efficient for running big motors and heavy equipment. Houses just have single-phase but factories need the extra grunt.
We install three-phase switchboards run the cables set up the distribution boards all of it. When you're setting up a new workshop or expanding your factory you need someone who knows what theyre doing with three-phase.
I remember doing a job for a engineering shop in Addington. They were adding a new CNC machine that needed 415 volts three-phase. We had to run new cables from their main switchboard upgrade some of the protection and install a new sub-board near the machine. Took about two days but now they can run that machine no worries.
Machinery Wiring and Motor Control
When you get new machinery installed someone needs to wire it up properly. We do the electrical connections for all kinds of industrial equipment - conveyor systems packaging machines presses compressors pumps you name it.
Motor starters and control panels are a big part of industrial work too. Sometimes these go wrong and need replacing or rewiring. Old contactors wear out timer relays fail overload protectors need adjusting.
At a cold storage place in Hornby we replaced a whole motor control center that was probably 30 years old. The thing was falling apart and parts were impossible to find. New modern panel with all the right safety features and now they can actually get parts when something needs replacing.
Industrial Lighting
Lighting in factories and warehouses is different from offices or shops. You need way more light cause people are doing detailed work or operating machinery. And it needs to be tough cause industrial environments are rough on equipment.
Most places are switching to LED high-bay lights now. They use way less power than the old metal halide or fluorescent lights and they last heaps longer. When you got a warehouse with 50 or 100 lights the power savings add up real quick.
We did a lighting upgrade at a big warehouse in Wigram. They had old 400 watt metal halide lights everywhere. We replaced them with 150 watt LED high-bays and their lighting power dropped by like 70 percent. The place was actually brighter too cause LEDs dont dim over time like metal halides do.
Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs
Every industrial building needs emergency lighting for when the powers out. Its a legal requirement and its important for safety. If theres a fire or power failure people need to be able to see to get out.
We install test and maintain emergency lights and exit signs. They need to be checked regularly to make sure the batteries are still good. Most people forget about this until a building inspector comes around or theres an actual emergency.
Industrial Electrical Maintenance
Factories cant afford to have electrical problems shut them down. Thats why regular maintenance is so important. We do scheduled maintenance for industrial sites - checking connections testing equipment looking for problems before they cause breakdowns.
Thermal imaging is real handy for finding hot spots in switchboards and distribution boards. If a connection is getting loose it heats up and you can see it with the thermal camera before it fails completely. Way better than waiting for something to burn out.
One food processing plant we work with has us come in every three months. We check all their main switchboards test the RCDs look over the motor controls and document everything. They havent had an unexpected electrical shutdown in over two years now.
Breakdown and Emergency Repairs
Sometimes stuff breaks and you need someone right away. We do 24/7 emergency callouts for industrial sites. When your production line is down every minute costs money so we try to get there fast.
Common emergency calls are tripped breakers that wont reset blown fuses motors that wont start control panels that are acting up. Sometimes its something simple sometimes its a bigger problem that needs a proper fix.
Got called to a printing company in Sockburn at like 2am once. Their main press stopped working right in the middle of a big job. Turned out a control relay had failed. We had a spare in the van got them running again and they could finish the job on time.
Switchboard Upgrades and Replacements
Old switchboards are a problem in a lot of industrial buildings specially ones that have been around since the 80s or 90s. The gear gets old parts fail and they dont meet current safety standards.
We replace old fuse boards and switchboards with modern ones that have proper RCD protection circuit breakers and all the safety features. Its a big job cause usually the whole place needs to be shut down but its worth it for the safety and reliability.
Did a full switchboard replacement at a workshop in Waltham last year. The old board was a mess - mix of old rewireable fuses and some newer breakers all jumbled together. The new board is clean organized and way safer.
Compliance and Electrical Certificates
Industrial electrical work needs to comply with all the regulations and standards. We make sure everything is done to code and we provide the proper certificates and documentation.
When WorkSafe comes around for inspections or when you need a building warrant of fitness you need to show that your electrical systems are safe and compliant. We can help with that.
Data Cabling and Communications
Even factories need data cabling now. Computer controlled machinery security systems CCTV inventory systems all need network connections.
We run Cat6 cabling set up network points install racks and patch panels. Industrial environments are tough on cables so you gotta run them properly in conduit or cable tray where they wont get damaged.
At a distribution center in Islington we ran data cables to all their packing stations so they could have barcode scanners and computer terminals everywhere. Had to be careful routing the cables cause theres forklifts driving around everywhere.
Security Systems and CCTV
Warehouses and factories usually need good security systems. We do the electrical work for security systems - power for cameras access control systems alarm panels all that.
Running power to outdoor cameras can be tricky specially in big yards or car parks. You need weatherproof conduit proper earthing and sometimes you gotta run cables pretty long distances.
Power Factor Correction
Big industrial sites with lots of motors and inductive loads sometimes need power factor correction. If your power factor is too low the power company charges you extra.
We can test your power factor and install capacitor banks if you need them. Its a bit technical but basically it makes your electrical system more efficient and saves you money on your power bill.
One factory in Hornby was getting charged heaps in power factor penalties. We installed a power factor correction system and their bill dropped by like $800 a month. Paid for itself in less than a year.
Backup Power and Generators
Some industrial sites cant afford to lose power even for a few minutes. We do the electrical connections for backup generators and UPS systems.
Automatic transfer switches are important - they switch over to generator power when the mains fails. We install test and maintain these systems so theyre ready when you need them.
A cold storage facility we work with has a big diesel generator. If the power goes out and their freezers stop working they lose hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of product. We test their generator and transfer switch every month to make sure it works.
What Areas Do We Cover
We cover all the industrial areas around Christchurch. Sockburn Bromley Woolston Hornby Islington Wigram Tower Junction all of them. Also out to Rolleston where theres heaps of new industrial development happening.
Basically if you got a factory warehouse or industrial site anywhere in greater Christchurch we can help you out.
How Much Does Industrial Electrical Work Cost
Industrial electrical work costs more than residential cause its more complex and requires more experience. Plus theres more risk involved when you're working with high voltages and heavy machinery.
For smaller jobs like adding a circuit or fixing a motor starter you might be looking at a few hundred dollars. Bigger jobs like switchboard replacements or machinery installations can be several thousand or more depending on whats involved.
We always give quotes before starting work. For maintenance contracts we can set up regular pricing so you know what to budget for.
Why Choose WeDo Electrical for Industrial Work
We've been doing industrial electrical work around Christchurch for years. We know the local industries - manufacturing food processing cold storage logistics all of it.
Were licensed and insured for industrial work. We have the right tools and test equipment. And we understand that when your factory is down you're losing money so we work efficiently to get you back running.
We're straight up with pricing and we explain things in plain language. No trying to confuse you with technical stuff. If something needs fixing we tell you. If it can wait we tell you that too.
Our van carries common industrial parts - contactors relays breakers fuses cable. For bigger jobs we can get parts delivered quick cause we work with good suppliers.
Available 24/7 for Emergencies
Industrial sites run all hours so we're available 24/7 for emergency callouts. If your production line goes down at 3am on a Sunday we can come help.
Emergency calls cost more cause were dropping everything to come help you but sometimes you just need someone right away. We get that and we try to respond as fast as we can.