When your machines start acting up – your assembly lines slow down, your soldering stations don’t heat properly, or your testing equipment throws weird errors – you might be dealing with low current. It’s one of those problems that can mess up your production (and your equipment if you’re not careful).
Here’s what you want to do if you suspect your manufacturing plant suffers from low current.
Power Down Critical Equipment Immediately
First things first, power down. Seriously.
Running precision equipment – like SMT (Surface Mount Technology) machines, soldering lines, or even laser cutters – on low current is like trying to run a Formula 1 car on half a tank of gas. It strains motors, burns out boards, and throws off your production timing.
Keeping the machines running could lead to misalignment, overheating, and permanent equipment damage that costs way more than a few hours of downtime.
So as soon as you notice machines moving slower, sensors glitching, etc, power down the equipment, so you’re able to prevent bigger (and more expensive) problems.
Check Your Power Sources
Now that you’ve powered everything down, it’s time to play detective. Is it just one line acting strangely? One section of the plant? Or is it everywhere?
It’s a good idea to have a look at main distribution boards, stabilizers, and internal cabling at this point. Sometimes the issue is with something loose or degraded inside your own factory’s system. Use voltage meters to check if different sections of the plant are getting consistent, healthy voltage levels. Ideally, you’re looking for steady readings close to your facility’s standard.
In manufacturing setups, even a small fault in these systems can cause uneven current flow to sensitive machines. Bottom line: Identify whether the issue is isolated or widespread. It’ll help you decide your next move.
Call in Electrical Engineers
Electricity is not the thing you want to DIY, and you especially don’t want to be guessing with factory power. Call your in-house engineer or your contracted maintenance team as soon as possible.
They’ll check if it’s a wiring fault, a main panel issue, or something bigger going on. Sometimes the issue isn’t inside your building at all but outside on the street, where a transformer in need of repairing or retrofitting can cause major voltage drops for industrial facilities. In that case, your engineer will liaise with the power supplier and other relevant technicians to get repairs or replacements handled.
Either way, you want to act quickly to protect your equipment, stay on schedule, and avoid expensive production losses.
Low current isn’t just a small inconvenience in a smartphone manufacturing setup; it’s a serious threat to your production timeline and your equipment. So, power down early, check your systems, and bring in the right people fast. Think of your bottomline.
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