FEATURE TRANSFORMERS & SWITCHGEAR SEVEN STEPS TO SUCCESS
Cutting corners when it comes to the maintenance of low and medium voltage switchgear can lead to problems. Adopting a preventative approach to maintenance is far more beneficial to the equipment and here, Schneider Electric’s Colin Rice shares his seven steps to preventative maintenance success
installation and commissioning is vital to ensure switchgear is able to realise its full potential and sustain high performance levels without premature failure.
N
ot paying due care and attention to the maintenance of low and medium
voltage switchgear could end up costing you dearly. Unscheduled repairs and costly breakdowns all have a negative effect on the running of an operation and its profitability. However, a preventative approach can help to keep medium voltage switchgear in better health, identifying potential problems before they cause major disruption and significantly extending the lifecycle of the electrical equipment. We’ve all heard the old saying,
‘prevention is better than cure’, and never has it been more apt than when talking about the predictive maintenance of electrical distribution equipment. Simply fixing equipment as it breaks is a high risk strategy, which leaves an operator with no control over the timing or expense of equipment breakdowns. Embracing the idea of preventative
maintenance over reactive maintenance can save money and reduce man hours, which can all have a positive impact on the bottom line. Schneider Electric has developed a seven step strategy for the proactive maintenance of electrical equipment.
STEP 1 Sound installation and commissioning: The successful maintenance of medium voltage switchgear starts at the very beginning of the equipment’s life. Proper
26 OCTOBER 2014 | ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING
Above: Schneider Electric has developed a seven step strategy for the proactive maintenance of electrical equipment
STEP 2 Technical training for staff: Once the electrical distribution equipment has been correctly installed, it is important that staff using it are given the appropriate training. Without proper guidance, equipment can be subject to misuse, which jeopardises the safety of personnel as well as the wellbeing of the switchgear and downstream functions. Technical training should be given when the switchgear is installed, and repeated for new employees or as regular refresher sessions for existing staff.
STEP 3 Service and maintenance: Routine checks on the equipment are vital to fix, prevent and predict problems in an installation. Medium voltage switchgear should be proactively maintained and serviced by experienced professionals, in the same way as you would have a mechanic service your car at regular intervals. As an initial step, Schneider Electric offers an on-demand maintenance service to periodically check its customers’ switchgear, provide a diagnosis of current issues and offer recommendations for future repairs or replacements.
STEP 4 Upgrading equipment: When medium voltage switchgear has been installed for some time, upgrading the equipment can extend its life, without the need for a full replacement of base equipment. Schneider Electric offers ECOFIT retro-fits as a cost effective means of retrospectively upgrading low and medium voltage equipment. ECOFIT retro-fits can prolong the switchgear’s lifetime by more than 50%, and can optimise service and infrastructure costs by 30-70%.
STEP 5 End of life: Once electrical distribution equipment reaches the end of its working life, it is important to dispose
of it in a way that is safe for the environment and compliant with waste regulations. Some companies can process old electrical equipment and recover hazardous substances and pollutants such as SF6 gas and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
STEP 6
Installation assessment: Before replacing electrical distribution equipment like for like, it is worth properly assessing the needs of your organisation. Over time, things change and it’s wise to get a site-wide electrical installation assessment - including an evaluation of energy needs, current capabilities and reliability analysis - to help mitigate against risk of failure of key equipment and identify steps to improve the resilience of your electrical distribution network.
STEP 7 Consider outsourcing service for stress-free maintenance: Unexpected down-time can cause significant financial losses, and this can be compounded by repair personnel being slow to respond or equipment that under performs once it’s been repaired, so it’s worth considering buying in the relevant expertise to ensure low and medium voltage switchgear stays in tip-top condition. Agreeing a service support contract with a reputable company can give companies control over their budgets and will guarantee a prompt response in the event of a failure. Before committing to a contract, consider the merits of a longer agreement as this will give improved asset management through the whole spectrum of preventative maintenance. While economic conditions are uncertain, operators can cut costs and improve performance by ensuring their switchgear is given the expert care and attention it needs. You wouldn’t risk your safety by driving a car which has not been regularly checked by a mechanic, and nor should you gamble your business’ productivity by allowing important electrical distribution equipment to under perform or fail. Put your company in the driving seat with preventative maintenance to help your switchgear to go the distance.
Schneider Electric
www.schneider-electric.com T: 0870 608 8 608
Enter 225 / ELECTRICALENGINEERING
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