Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution in Adamawa State

The main purpose of this study was to assess equipment maintenance practices for effective electric power distribution in Adamawa State by Yola Electricity Distribution Company. Three research questions and three null hypotheses were formulated to guide the study. The study adopted descriptive survey research design. The population of the study was 69 consisting of 46 technicians and 23 supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company. The whole population was used for the study. The instrument for data collection was a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers titled “Assessment of Equipment Maintenance Practices for Effective Electric Power Distribution Questionnaire (AEMPELPDQ)”. The instrument was validated by three experts and a reliability of 0.89 was obtained using Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Mean and standard deviation was used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. The finding of the study revealed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts monthly routine maintenance on 18 out of the 31 items listed equipment while quarterly routine maintenance is carried out on 11 of the 31 items. Weekly maintenance is adopted for only two (2) of the equipment; Out of the 31 items listed, 22 of the items are semi-annually maintained; while eight (8) of the items are annually maintained and only one (1) of the equipment (distribution board) is weekly maintained. Based on the findings, YEDC should ensure adequate inspection and supervision of equipment to prevent unwarranted breakdown that may affect effective distribution of electrical power; YEDC should ensure at least monthly routine maintenance is carried out on the equipment available to ensure effective usage.


Introduction
Maintenance has been defined in the literature both amply and extensively. It is defined in Endrenyi and Anders (2006) as an activity wherein an un-failed device has, from time to time, its deterioration arrested, reduced or eliminated. The main objective of maintenance is to extend the lifetime of equipment and/or reduce its failure likelihood. Technical requirements and budget constraints are the most influential factors in assigning maintenance activity (Bloom, 2006). Madueme (2002) observed that maintenance of any engineering system consist of performing the following functions: recognition or detection; location or diagnosis; correction, repair or replacement; and verification or checking of emergency failure of components or equipment; setting up and performing scheduled periodic preventive inspections; repair activities in a central facility on failed and replaced items arriving from different operating stations.
According to Abdelmalik (2014), routine maintenance checks to be conducted on a power transformer can be on daily, monthly, half-yearly and annual basis. Routine transformer maintenance testing and checking on daily basis include: maintaining oil filled up to the desired level in Magnetic Oil Gas (MOG) always; replacing the silica gel if its color changes to pink; and sealing any leakage if detected.
Transformer maintenance checks on a monthly basis involve checking of oil level in the oil cap so that it doesn't drop below a fixed limit and hence avoid damage due to it; keeping the breathing holes in the silica gel breather clean to ensure proper breathing action at all times and where electrical transformer has oil filling bushing, ensure that the oil is filled up to the correct level.
Preventive maintenance is aimed at thwarting the possible faults that arise from outright negligence of the electric power distribution equipment. Maintenance activities that fall under this category according to Ali, Achinanya, and Nuhu (2004) are usually carried out annually, and include: checking the integrity and condition of ground connections, cable joints and splices, and correcting any issue; inspecting the cleanliness and physical condition of switchgears, transformers, and other above-ground fixtures; conducting contact resistance tests on terminations, insulation resistance tests between ground connections and conductors, to assess damage or wear, among others.
Similarly, Megbowon and Oyebisi (2005) stated that corrective maintenance is conducted in response to underground cable faults (possible damage caused by digging, internal failures such as defective cables, among others) to determine the appropriate remedial action. Corrective maintenance activities carried out on underground cables include checking electric cable routes for possible damage after excavation or road work; insulation resistance testing to detect faults between conductors and ground connections; pinpointing faulty areas using a sheath tester and cable fault locator; and repairing, retesting and re-commissioning faulty electrical cables.
According to Arunagiri and Agarwal (2005) areas, in factories, and even to supply power from the overhead pots to the consumer's premises (CIGRE, 2002).

Statement of the Problem
For an effective distribution of electric power that will meet the demand of the end-users, the equipment and other necessary tools have to be maintained in terms of identified faults on the distribution line, transformers, poles, etc. One of the features of effective distribution of electric power is the rapid response to faults on the distribution line and components. From the researchers' observation, Sangere, Saminaka, Bekaji, Wuro-Jabbe, Yakore and Bajure in Yola, Adamawa State experienced poor rapid response to equipment maintenance from the electricity distribution company.
In the above mentioned locations, faults occurred in the transformers and distribution lines which led to electric power outage. This transformers and distribution line faults led to the isolation of the locations for a long time before remedial actions were taken. Also, if there is any report on either a falling or felled poles in Yola, Adamawa state, the time taken for the necessary maintenance to be carried out on the poles or detected distribution line is always unbearable for the consumers. It is against this background that this study sought to assess equipment maintenance practices for effective electric power distribution in Adamawa State by Yola Electricity Distribution Company.

Purpose of the Study
The main purpose of this study was to assess equipment maintenance practices for effective electric power distribution in Adamawa State by Yola Electricity Distribution Company. Specifically, the study sought to determine: 1. The extent to which Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts routine maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

2.
The extent to which Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts preventive maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

3.
The extent to which Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts corrective maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

Research Questions
The following research question guided the study. practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

H O2 :
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt preventive maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

H O3 :
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt corrective maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

Methodology
The study adopted descriptive survey research design and was conducted in Adamawa State, Nigeria.  Cronbach Alpha reliability method. Data for the study was collected by the researchers with help of two research assistants. Mean statistic was used to answer the three research questions of the study while t-test was used to test the three null hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance.

Research Question One
To what extent does Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts routine maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State?  while quarterly routine maintenance is carried out on only 11 items while weekly maintenance is adopted for only two (2) of the equipment.

Research Question Two
What is the extent to which Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts preventive maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State? the items are annually maintained and only one (1) of the equipment is weekly maintained.

Research Question Three
To what extent does Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts corrective maintenance on equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State?

Hypothesis One
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt routine maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. in Adamawa State since p<0.05 (t = 3.054, df = 67, p = 0.73).

Hypothesis Two
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt preventive maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. The result of analysis in Table 5 revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors on the extent to which they adopt preventive maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. With mean response of 1.60 and standard deviation of 0.11 for supervisors and 1.76 and 0.13 for mean response and standard deviation for technicians at 67 degree of freedom, this implies that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts semi-annually preventive maintenance (59.4%) on the equipment used in distribution of electric power in Adamawa State since p<0.05 (t = -4.987, df = 67, p = 0.062).

Hypothesis Three
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt corrective maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. The result of analysis in Table 6 revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors on the extent to which they adopt corrective maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. With mean response of 4.13 and standard deviation of 0.10 for supervisors and 4.20 and 0.12 for mean response and standard deviation for technicians at 67 degree of freedom, this implies that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts weekly corrective maintenance (94%) on the equipment used in distribution of electric power in Adamawa State since p>0.05 (t = 2.557, df = 67, p = 0.083).

Findings of the Study
Based on the results of the study, the following findings were made:  (1) of the equipment (distribution board) is weekly maintained.
3. 29 out of 31 items are maintained weekly which include distribution board, automatic circuit re-closers, gang isolator, trip circuit and power transformer while two (2) of the items distribution transformer and mode selector are maintained daily.

4.
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt routine maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State

5.
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt preventive maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State

6.
There is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors in Yola Electricity Distribution Company on the extent to which they adopt corrective maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.

Discussion of Findings
The finding of the study revealed that Yola Electricity Distribution Company adopts monthly routine maintenance on 18 out of the 31 items listed equipment which include 11 KV line feeder, power transformer, etc. while quarterly routine maintenance is carried out on 11 of the 31 items. Weekly maintenance is adopted for only two (2) (2004) who suggested that preventive maintenance is created for every item separately according to manufacturers' recommendations or legislation. Preventive maintenance can be carried out on date-based (the date at which the next maintenance will be carried out base on the manufacturer's recommendation) or based on equipment running hours (Time limit at which the equipment is expected to run before carrying out the next maintenance).
The finding of the study revealed that 29 out of 31 items are maintained weekly which include distribution board, automatic circuit re-closers, gang isolator, trip circuit and power transformer while two (2) of the items distribution transformer and mode selector are maintained daily. This finding is in agreement with Santigo (2015) who suggested that time between the origin of the problem and its detection is called the detection time. Santigo further stated that there is a relationship between detection time and total resolution time; the sooner the fault is detected, in general, will have caused less damage and will be easier and cheaper to repair. The finding is further supported by Grasmick et al. (2008), who maintained that corrective maintenance addresses deficiencies that inevitably result from unforeseen events like vandalism, lightning strikes, hail and flooding with exceptions to activities that expand the capacity of equipment or upgrade the equipment to serve needs greater than or different from those originally intended and as such corrective maintenance must be scheduled to reflect the usability of the equipment.
The finding of the study on hypothesis one revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors on the extent to which they adopt routine maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State. This finding is in agreement with Carter and Carter (2001) who stated that the administrators and engineers at the power station were not different statistically in their opinion on the routine maintenance carried out at the station. The further support of the findings, Omoigui and Komolafe (2000) opined that the frequency of inspection of equipment is determined by the conditions under which it operates and as such the engineers and technicians were not different in their opinion as regard to the routine maintenance on equipment.
The finding of the study on hypothesis two revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors on the extent to which they adopt preventive maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.
This finding is in agreement with Madueme (2012) who asserted preventive maintenance ensures effective and efficient service of facilities, tools and equipment in workshops as there was no significant difference in the mean response of teachers and workshop attendants on the utilization of power equipment in the workshop. To further buttress the finding, Omoigui and Komolafe (2000) reported that the engineers and technicians were not statistically different in their opinion as regard to the preventive maintenance on equipment The finding of the study on hypothesis three revealed that there is no significant difference between the mean responses of technicians and supervisors on the extent to which they adopt corrective maintenance practices on the equipment being utilized for electric power distribution in Adamawa State.
This finding is in agreement with Carter and Carter (2001) who stated that the opinions of technicians and engineers were unanimous regarding the application of maintenance of electrical gadgets.
Furthermore, Zhuang et al. (2015) supported this finding by maintaining that when decisions are always unanimous when the interest is the same as such there was no significant difference in the opinion of engineers and technicians of maintenance of electrical machines in the electric power station.

Conclusion
Based on the findings of the study it was concluded that Yola Electricity Distribution Company (YEDC) adopts monthly routine maintenance, semi-annually preventive maintenance and daily/weekly