How to prevent a January breakdown
As Christmas approaches, many factories, warehouses, and production facilities prepare for their annual shutdown. Machines are powered down, production lines pause, and the pace slows for the first time in months.
But while the break is welcome for staff… it can be bad news for ageing electronics.
At Greasley Electronics, we see the same pattern every January:
⚠️ Equipment that worked fine all year suddenly won’t power back on after the Christmas shutdown.
⚠️ Controllers and circuit boards fail to initialise.
⚠️ Air handling units, automation systems, and temperature control equipment refuse to restart.
Why?
Because the electronic components inside them – especially older, heavily used ones have been under strain all year. When they cool down, sit idle, and then attempt to restart, any weak or ageing components show their true colours. It’s a common problem which is why we are warning companies about this now as generally businesses do forget quite quickly from one year to the next!
Why Electronics Fail After a Shutdown
Just like mechanical parts, electronics suffer from wear and tear – why? -:
1️⃣ Ageing Capacitors
Capacitors that have been running hot all year may dry out or weaken. When powered off for a long period, they struggle to “reform” and fail on power-up.
2️⃣ Thermal Shock
Electronics expand and contract with temperature changes. A sudden cool-down during shutdown can expose cracked solder joints or brittle components.
3️⃣ Dust and Moisture
When equipment is off, humidity levels can rise inside units – especially in warehouses and chilled environments.
4️⃣ Power Surges on Restart
January’s big “all systems on” moment often hits older boards hard, causing instant failures.
…….All of this means:
Something that is working in December might not work in January!
So, How to prevent a January Breakdown? – Prevention Is Better Than Cure
Have you noticed any changes with equipment? Any machines going slower than normal? Rather than waiting for a vital piece of equipment to fail in the New Year, here are some proactive steps businesses can take now:
✔️ 1. Test Shutdown & Restart Before Christmas
Power down key equipment for a short period and restart it.
If anything struggles, that’s your warning sign.
✔️ 2. Inspect Older Circuit Boards
Look for:
- Bulging capacitors
- Discoloured components
- Burnt smells
- Loose connectors
These are easy fixes now – harder in an emergency breakdown.
✔️ 3. Schedule Preventative Refurbishment
Send ageing PCBs, controllers, or drives to us for refurbishment before they fail.
Refurbishing now avoids January panic, downtime, and costly replacement units.
✔️ 4. Keep Spare Units Ready
If a controller is critical to operations, having a refurbished spare on site is invaluable.
We can repair your damaged units and prepare extras to keep in stock.
✔️ 5. Avoid “All on at Once” in January
Stagger restarts of major systems to reduce electrical stress.
Why Acting Now Saves Money
January breakdowns:
❌ cause long delays
❌ cost more in emergency repairs
❌ disrupt production after the Christmas lull
❌ often force companies to buy replacement units unnecessarily
Whereas refurbishing now:
✅ is cheaper
✅ extends the life of existing electronics
✅ avoids downtime
✅ prevents waste
✅ gives peace of mind before the Christmas closure
Keeping Your Equipment Running Smoothly
We’re here to support:
- PCB repairs
- Controller refurbishments/Air Conditioning Controller Repairs
- Circuit board repairs
- Industrial automation electronics
- Warehouse and facilities management equipment
- Air handling and HVAC controls
📞 Contact us to arrange testing, refurbishment, or preventative maintenance support. Either send us a message here on our website with all of your details, email us on info@greasley.co.uk or feel free to call us and speak to one of our experts on 01530 835823. Don’t leave it too late.😉
