Big Changes in Electrical Maintenance: Here’s What You Need to Know

The rules around electrical maintenance just got a serious upgrade. Thanks to NFPA 70B 2023, preventative maintenance is no longer optional—it’s now a mandatory standard for many types of equipment and facilities.

In other words, if you haven’t updated your maintenance plan, now’s the time.

What’s the Deal with NFPA 70B?For years, NFPA 70B offered guidelines for keeping electrical systems in good working order—stuff you should do. Now, the wording has changed to shall, meaning you’re required to perform regular maintenance on critical electrical equipment like transformers, breakers, control panels, and switchgear.

Here’s What’s Now Required:

⚡️ A customized maintenance program for your equipment

⚡️ Scheduled inspections, testing, and servicing—not just emergency fixes

⚡️ Detailed recordkeeping to show you’re staying compliant

This isn’t just red tape—it’s about keeping your systems running safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Why It Matters

Skipping maintenance can lead to unexpected failures, fires, and costly downtime. The NFPA tightened these rules to reduce risk, protect property, and improve safety—especially in commercial, industrial, and healthcare settings where power reliability is critical.

A.F. Smith Electric Can Help

We, along with our partners in the industry, are experts in keeping electrical systems in top shape. We're ready to help you meet these new standards with expert inspections, testing, and maintenance. Our team knows NFPA 70B inside and out—and we’ll make sure your equipment is fully compliant and running at its best.

Let’s prevent problems before they start—and keep your operation powered up.