Contract Manufacturing
Repair or replace? Bespoke power assembly solutions to suit you
Benefits of replacing
GD Rectifiers discuss the engineering options and benefits of repairing and replacing power assemblies
T
he power assembly market is known for its linear business model based on a “take, make, use and dispose” approach, however, engineers are becoming more eco-conscious and are often open to repairing or remanufacturing instead.
When a crucial component of a power assembly has failed, productivity is at risk which can quickly affect profitability in the short or even long term. Time and cost are both key considerations in making the decision to repair or replace but there are also other factors to consider: Ownership – purchase price, insurance, interest, storage, depreciation, decommissioning and disposal Operating – repairs, maintenance, reliability and labour Whilst it’s common practice for large companies to carry out a lifecycle cost analysis on each asset, taking in to account the cost of obtaining, maintaining and disposing of the unit to assess if it’s worthwhile to repair, not all companies have the time or expense to do this. Ultimately, reliability is often the primary consideration when dealing with aging assemblies which is why the benefits of repairing and replacing the units need to be considered.
Benefits of repairing If worthwhile, repairing an assembly is considered an economical benefit, specifically throughout blue tape industries and applications including rail, submarine, military and medical markets where designing in new builds is a stringent and time-consuming process. It can be: - A cost-effective alternative to replacing an entire build - Minimises downtime of the system as parts are usually on a shorter lead time in comparison to receiving a new build
- Ensures build consistency in large power assembly systems - Allows for maintenance and inspection of the system to ensure the other components are failure-safe and do not need replacing
- Allows the engineer to recycle parts to help reduce the amount of scrap in the environment
- Ensures compatibility within existing systems - Less arduous process as engineers do not need to research a new design and can avoid the rigorous process of launching a new build in strict safety and accredited environments
20 October 2021 Components in Electronics
Replacing a power assembly is often the engineer’s preferred choice for numerous reasons, including: - New, modern-day components used in the builds are often easier to repair or replace when required
- A new build provides longevity, future-proofing projects - Components and power assemblies often provide a one- year warranty, giving reassurance in case of any mechanical faults
- Can often be considered a more economical option longer term, especially if the assembly is 10+ years old
- Improved reliability, a new assembly provides preventative maintenance helping to protect your equipment
- Improved safety, efficiency and project capabilities - Gain access to manufacturer support and technical expertise
- For large projects, take advantage of call-off orders and only pay for the power assemblies when you take them
Knowing when to replace - Cost of the repair is not a viable option or outweighs the cost to rebuild
- A vital component on the build becomes obsolete and no
the 50/50 rule, which is when repairing the build could be a viable option if the total cost of the spare parts and labour expense does not exceed half of the product’s original value, or look to repair the system if the cost to repair does not outweigh the cost of buying a brand-new unit
3) Determine whether components used on the build and the devices are still active by the OEM or if they have been made obsolete. If the components or the actual build has been made obsolete by the OEM it’s important to approach a manufacturer that can reverse- engineer the desired assembly
GD Rectifiers offers a repair and replacement service for faulty or aging semiconductor rectifiers, converters, inverters and regulators, helping customers get their systems back up and running as quickly as possible. They can also reverse- engineer selenium rectifiers for old Westcode, International Rectifier, STC, Semikron and Automat designs. GD Rectifiers’ power assemblies are multifaceted and provide cost savings. They are delivered quickly with a fast time to market and are manufactured in the UK. GD Rectifiers utilise the experience of their mechanical, electrical and power electronics engineering experts to design and deliver the best technology in their power assembly and controller products, offering a wide range of rectifiers, regulators, firing circuits, inverters, selenium suppressors, rotating diode assemblies, photovoltaic triple diode assemblies, selenium rectifiers, and blocking and voltage dropping diodes. They also offer an extensive range of single- phase, three-phase and hex-phase assemblies.
Applications Power assemblies are used in a wide range of
alternative is made available
- A design change means an overhaul of all power assemblies
- Multiple power assembly failure, if the application requirements change and too much stress is put on the system due to an increase in current/voltage then the design of the assembly needs to be revisited
Factors to consider 1) Repair or replace - replacing a power assembly is usually the buyer’s or engineer’s preferred choice, however repairing can provide numerous advantages especially when the system’s downtime is critical
2) Explore the options – buyers and engineers should first check if the power assembly or its problem component is still within warranty. Warranties usually last for 12 months and after this period, engineers might look to either apply
applications from high powered voltage rectifiers, resistance welding, plating, heating, lighting, cathodic protection, HVAC, industrial motor drives, marine and offshore, oil, gas and mining, pulse power and wind, solar, and tidal energy applications.
GD Rectifiers understand that efficient power conversion starts at the power module level and that choosing the right power semiconductor package is vital. Selecting the right package can reduce the overall power losses which has a direct influence on the power output efficiency. GD Rectifiers works closely with customers to provide expert technical support on the design, prototyping, production and refurbishment of power semiconductor assemblies, from small quantities to large production runs, offering tailored solutions designed with you in mind.
www.gdrectifiers.co.uk www.cieonline.co.uk
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