TESTING

Buist’s Testing team helps facility owners and operations staff maintain safe, efficient electrical systems. From medium-voltage equipment to everyday infrastructure, we provide testing, inspections, and maintenance that reduce downtime, support scheduled outages, and identify issues before they become problems. We serve industrial and commercial facilities across West Michigan with services including industrial electrical testing, medium-voltage switchgear testing, infrared inspections, and arc-flash hazard analysis.

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Circuit Background Pattern Buist technicians perform electrical testing on site, analyzing power systems to ensure safety, compliance, and reliable performance. Buist field technicians perform medium-voltage electrical testing and inspection on outdoor switchgear to ensure safe, reliable power distribution.

Our Services

Our Services

POWER SYSTEM STUDIES

CONSULTING AND TRAINING

PREDICTIVE INSPECTIONS

ACCEPTANCE TESTING

PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE

SERVICE AND REPAIRS

Power System Studies

Short Circuit and Coordination Studies

Analyze fault current levels and protective device settings to ensure equipment protection and system reliability.

Load Demand Studies 

Evaluate present and future electrical load requirements to prevent overloads and optimize system capacity.

Power Quality Analysis 

Identify and resolve issues such as voltage sags, transients, and imbalances that impact system performance and equipment life.

Harmonics Analysis

Assess and mitigate harmonic distortion from nonlinear loads to maintain compliance and protect electrical infrastructure.

Arc Flash Hazard Analysis

Calculate incident energy levels and define safe work boundaries, PPE, and labeling to meet NFPA 70E requirements.

Energy Rebate Metering

Measure and document energy performance to qualify for utility rebates and incentive programs.

Consulting

Arc Flash Mitigation Consulting

Provides strategies to reduce incident energy and improve worker safety.

Electrical One-Line Development

Advisory work to model and simplify electrical systems for future planning and compliance.

Training

NFPA 70E Arc Flash Training

Complete your NFPA 70E training with Buist.

Predictive Inspection

Infrared and Visual Inspections

Detect hot spots, loose connections, and other hidden issues using thermal imaging and visual checks to prevent failures.

Transformer Fluid Analysis

Evaluate transformer oil condition to identify insulation breakdown, moisture, or gas formation that signal potential problems.

Acceptance Testing

Acceptance Testing of New Electrical Installations

Verify that new electrical systems meet safety standards and perform as designed before going into service.

Energy Audits

Analyze your facility’s energy use to uncover opportunities for efficiency, cost savings, and sustainability improvements.

Preventative Maintenance

Routine Breaker Testing

Perform scheduled checks to keep breakers operating correctly and extend their service life.

Scheduled Transformer Testing

Conduct regular testing to maintain transformer reliability and avoid costly downtime.

Annual Infrared Scanning

Incorporate infrared inspections into maintenance cycles to proactively identify hidden electrical issues.

Maintenance Testing of Existing Electrical Installations

Ensure your electrical systems remain safe, reliable, and compliant through regular performance testing.

Substation Maintenance

Extend the life of your power system and reduce downtime with comprehensive substation care and proactive maintenance programs.

NFPA 70B

NFPA 70B now requires facilities to implement a formal Electrical Maintenance Program (EMP) to reduce risk and downtime. Buist provides the expertise to design and carry out a comprehensive maintenance approach that combines preventive care and corrective action to keep your electrical systems compliant and dependable.

Service and Repairs

Breaker Testing & Repairs

Repair or replace breakers that fail testing to restore system protection and reliability.

Transformer Servicing & Repairs

Address issues found during testing with corrective transformer service or repairs.

Medium Voltage Repair

Critical for restoring or extending medium voltage systems, essential in both emergency repair and planned upgrades.

A Buist technician wearing safety gear and a high-visibility vest inspects metal framing during electrical work on an active jobsite. A Buist technician wearing safety gear and a high-visibility vest inspects metal framing during electrical work on an active jobsite.

NFPA TRAINING

NFPA 70E Training

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Level 1 Electrical Thermography

DATE 02/24/2026 - 02/27/2026

TIME 8:00AM - 5:00PM

ADDRESS

2 – 84th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Buist has partnered with the Infrared Training Center to offer Level I Electrical Thermography training. Learn everything you need to get started as an infrared thermographer the right way with the Infrared Training Center’s Level I/Category I Electrical certification course, Fundamentals of Infrared Thermography. In this certification course, you’ll learn how infrared cameras create and capture images, how to take accurate temperature measurements with an infrared camera, and all of the foundational science you’ll need to get the most out of your camera. Plus, you’ll discover how to conduct safe thermographic inspections in a variety of common use cases and create basic reports so you can share your findings with team members, customers, and other stakeholders. In short, a Level I/Category I Electrical certification gives you all the tools you need to begin your journey as a safe, capable thermographer, getting the most value out of your investment in infrared cameras and adding tremendous value to your organization or business.

REGISTER HERE

Level 1 Thermography

DATE 08/04/2026 - 08/07/2026

TIME 8:00AM - 5:00PM

ADDRESS

2 – 84th Street SW, Byron Center, MI 49315

Buist has partnered with the Infrared Training Center to offer Level I Thermography training. In this certification course, you’ll learn how infrared cameras make and capture images, how to take accurate temperature measurements with an infrared camera, and all of the foundational science you’ll need to get the most out of your camera. Plus, you’ll discover how to conduct safe thermographic inspections in a variety of common use cases and create basic reports so you can share your findings with team members, customers, and other stakeholders. In short, a Level I/Category I certification gives you all the tools you need to begin your journey as a safe, capable thermographer, getting the most value out of your investment in infrared cameras and adding tremendous value to your organization or business.

REGISTER HERE

FEATURED SERVICES

Buist provides testing and maintenance support for industrial facilities, manufacturing plants, commercial buildings, hospitals, schools, municipalities, and large campuses across West Michigan.

Infrared Testing

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Helps in the early detection of potential failures by identifying hot spots and thermal anomalies.

Transformer Testing

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Oil analysis of your main transformer is crucial for monitoring the health and integrity of the transformer.

Breaker Testing

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Ensure your electrical system's safety and reliability by identifying any potential malfunctions that could lead to electrical fires or equipment damage.

Acceptance Testing

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Verify that your building's electrical systems and components meet specified performance criteria and adhere to safety standards, ensuring they are fully operational and safe for use.

FAQ'S

How often should electrical testing be performed?

Most facilities complete electrical testing and infrared inspections annually. Equipment such as medium-voltage gear, switchgear, and critical production systems may require more frequent testing depending on load, age, and operating conditions.

What do the electrical standards say?

Under NFPA 70B: All electrical equipment must be inspected at least every 12 months. Testing intervals vary based on equipment condition:

  • Condition 1 (like new): every 60 months

  • Condition 2 (minor issues): every 36 months

  • Condition 3 (significant issues): every 12 months or sooner

  • Infrared thermography is required annually for all equipment

According to the International Electrical Testing Association:

  • Switchgear & switchboards: visual every 12 months; full testing every 24-36 months

  • Transformers: visual every 12 months; testing every 24-36 months

  • Cables: visual every 12 months; testing every 36 months

  • Circuit breakers: visual every 12 months; testing every 24-36 months
    Intervals should be adjusted based on equipment age, criticality, and operating conditions

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA): OSHA does not specify exact maintenance intervals for electrical systems but enforces compliance with NFPA standards and manufacturer guidelines.

What is considered industry best practice?

  • Perform preventive maintenance every 1-3 years, depending on the environment and system load

  • Harsh environments (dust, moisture, chemicals) or critical systems may require more frequent inspections

  • Maintenance activities typically include visual inspections, infrared scans, electrical testing (insulation resistance, contact resistance), cleaning, and tightening connections

What types of facilities do you serve?

We provide electrical testing and maintenance for a wide range of industries across West Michigan, including commercial, industrial, healthcare, education, and more.

Can inspections be performed during normal operating hours?

In many cases, yes. Infrared inspections and visual assessments can and should be completed while equipment is energized. More involved testing may require scheduled outages, which we coordinate with your team to minimize business disruption.

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To request a quote or to learn more about our electrical testing capabilities, please fill out this form.

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