Why is regular maintenance of protection devices critical?

Regular maintenance of protection devices is critical primarily because it ensures reliability and helps prevent failures during critical operations. Protection devices, such as circuit breakers and relays, play a vital role in safeguarding electrical systems from faults and disturbances. If these devices are not maintained regularly, they may fail to operate correctly when needed the most, leading to potential system failures or hazards, which can result in downtime, equipment damage, and increased safety risks.

Maintaining these devices helps identify wear-and-tear issues, check for proper functionality, and ensure that they respond appropriately to fault conditions. Such preventive measures are essential for ensuring that protection devices function as intended, thus protecting not only the electrical systems but also the safety of personnel and the continuity of operations.