Automation components, like relays, sensors, and power supplies, are critical to your building’s performance, efficiency, and reliability. Without long-lasting automation components, you’re risking premature failure. Building automation hardware care might not be something on your radar, but it should be!
We’ve written about Functional Devices’ component maintenance before and provided a handy checklist to follow that will extend automation component lifespan. In this blog, we’ll go more in-depth about how to increase the life of building automation parts, including why lifespan matters, top factors getting in your way, and practical strategies to implement.
The engineers at Functional Devices are obsessed with quality. We test each assembled device before it leaves the production floor, ensuring that you’re receiving a product that will last a long time. Read more about our commitment to craftsmanship and contact us with any questions about our process or Functional Devices’ component maintenance.
Why Long-Lasting Automation Components Matter
Maximizing ROI means investing in building automation hardware that lasts. With a sophisticated Building Automation System (BAS), “buy cheap, buy twice” applies. Higher-quality components with longer lifespans will:
- Lower total ownership and labor costs
- Minimize downtime while boosting performance
- Ensure consistent, reliable operation
- Reduce errors, waste, and inefficiency
In contrast, cheaper parts often lead to increased costs, lost productivity, and unhappy customers. High-quality equals long-lasting automation components.
Top Factors That Shorten Component Lifespan
Even if you have the best automation hardware on the market, you could still inadvertently shorten its lifespan. Watch out for these factors in your facility that could shorten device lifespan:
- Excessive heat or current
- Voltage or power fluctuations
- Excessive moisture and humidity
- High vibration
- Dust buildup or blocked airflow
- Exposure to radiation or corrosive substances
If you see any of these signs, it’s time to take action following these tips.
Pro Tips to Increase the Life of Building Automation Parts
1. Use the Right Power Supplies, Relays, & Other Devices
Using the “right” device isn’t just about quality; it’s about matching the correct product specifications with the application. Relays, sensors, controllers, actuators, and power supplies all come in subcategories with different requirements, and not every version fits every job. Always review manufacturer specs and operating conditions, or consult the manufacturer if needed.
A well-suited device will have a longer lifespan than a mismatched one, which will undergo stress it wasn’t engineered to handle.
2. Follow Proper Installation Practices
After making sure you have the right device, now you need to install it correctly to extend the automation component lifespan and ensure robust long-term performance.
Installation can be tricky, so if you aren’t a licensed electrician, we usually recommend you hire one. Generally for proper installation, you must follow the manufacturer’s load and voltage ratings and ensure correct wiring, grounding, and mounting.
Consider environmental factors, too, when installing components. Electrical devices are sensitive to dust, pests, corrosive chemicals, moisture, and vibration, so protective enclosures might be necessary. Keep equipment in stable temperature and humidity ranges by using cooling and ventilation as needed.
If installing yourself, make sure to follow installation safety precautions.
3. Perform Routine Maintenance
Routine and preventative building automation hardware care is one of the most underrated ways to increase the life of building automation parts. It’s not the glamorous selection and installation of a shiny new device, but rather the small consistent tasks that can really make the difference. Think of a car that stopped driving at 150,000 miles vs. 250,000. What makes the difference? Routine maintenance (and probably some manufacturer mojo).
Preventative maintenance will include visual inspections, cleaning, calibration, and verifying connections. Don’t forget to document and track maintenance for trend analysis. If you’re not sure where to start, check out our post: A Checklist of Routine Maintenance for Building Automation Hardware.
4. Optimize Power Quality and Protection
Unstable power can degrade components and shorten their lifespan; therefore, optimize power sources to ensure a stable, clean flow, which can prevent overheating, reduce stress on internal parts, and provide protection against damage.
Optimizing power quality can look like:
- Installing voltage regulators, surge protectors, a backup generator, uninterruptible power supplies (UPS), or isolation transformers.
- Upgrading wires and wire connections, such as installing WAGO connectors
- Performing power factor correction and harmonic mitigation
- Ensuring proper grounding
- Performing routine maintenance
Clean energy will help improve a component’s safety and lifespan.
5. Upgrade and Replace Proactively
Replacing devices? This might seem like a strange tip to include in a list about extending equipment lifespan, but hear us out. Upgrading to more modern equipment or replacing some devices proactively might extend the lifespan of other components.
Remember, your BAS is working together as a whole, and replacing some parts as part of a preventative maintenance program will save costs and improve long-term performance vs. replacing them as a response to an emergency.
6. Train Staff on Best Practices
Finally, educate your staff on best practices for handling and maintaining components. Encourage consistent processes and adherence to safety standards by codifying important information and your preventative maintenance plan into a written handbook or guide. Make routine training part of this plan so all your team members can buy into a proactive approach and learn their role in building automation hardware care.
FAQs About Component Longevity
How can I ensure my automation components last as long as possible?
Selecting high-quality devices that match your application’s specifications is key. Proper installation, regular maintenance, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines help prevent premature wear.
Do all components have the same lifespan?
No. Lifespan varies by type. Relays, sensors, controllers, actuators, and power supplies all have different expected service lives. Environmental factors like temperature, humidity, and electrical load also impact longevity.
Can mismatched components fail sooner?
Yes. Using a device outside its intended specifications can cause stress, reduce reliability, and shorten lifespan.
Functional Devices Built to Last
To extend automation component lifespan, follow these tips on selection, installation, maintenance, power, proactive upgrades, and training. Invest in quality up front for long-term reliability and cost savings.
We aim to make Functional Devices’ component maintenance simple. That’s why we engineer our durable automation solutions (like RIB® relays and sensors) in preassembled enclosures and a wide range of configurations.
Explore our line of long-lasting automation components and reach out to us for help getting the most out of your device.