When Your Equipment Breaks Down If it has moving parts or electronic components, it can break. And if it breaks unexpectedly, you can bet that it won't happen at a convenient time--and that it will cost you.

Protecting your company from equipment breakdowns requires prevention tactics, alternative resources and insurance.

Maintenance is key to preventing breakdowns, says Chris Murphy, 43, president of Murphy Lighting Systems, a lighting control systems integrator with offices in Orlando, Florida, and Chatsworth, California. "Almost everything you buy has a recommended maintenance schedule," says Murphy. "Complying with that schedule will help extend the life of your equipment and keep your warranty protection in force."