Feature: Components
Anticipating obsolescence, a strategic approach to spare parts
management and holding By Richard Howlett, operations manager at excitation control specialist Excitation Engineering Services (EES)
S
ince the introduction of FPGAs several decades agorates, even in the most advanced FPGAs. Managing obsolescence is crucial in the energy
sector, where power plants have lifespans ranging from 20 years for wind farms to 50 years for nuclear plants. When a part becomes obsolete, plant engineers without a maintenance strategy risk costly downtime and loss of reputation if that part fails. Terefore, anticipating maintenance needs and system failures becomes essential. Here, Richard Howlett, Operations Manager at excitation control specialist Excitation Engineering Services (EES), discusses how access to a robust inventory is vital to ensuring uninterrupted operations and overcoming obsolescence challenges. Effective obsolescence management
relies on establishing strong sourcing partnerships to ensure access to critical components, such as excitation modules, protection relays and automatic voltage regulators (AVRs), even as they phase out of production. By engaging with expert, well-stocked partners businesses can manage obsolescence challenges effectively without taking on the investment, storage and administrative burdens of keeping their own inventories. Sourcing obsolete components allows
businesses to keep legacy systems operational even if a component no longer supported by the OEM fails. Tese increasingly scarce parts are vital for plant managers to ensure continuous operation. Spares holding partners typically offer repair and service exchange options for faulty modules; in excitation engineering, this means supporting both current and outdated synchronous machine excitation systems.
44 September 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
Obsolete components Excitation modules control synchronous machine output by managing field current to ensure stable voltage and frequency. Typically lasting 20 to 30 years, their lifespan varies with operating conditions. For instance, a high humidity environment can cause premature corrosion without proper sealing. Common failures include electronic degradation, voltage regulation issues and communication failures, accelerated by environmental factors, operational loads and maintenance gaps. Protection relays are necessary to
safeguard synchronous machines from abnormal operating conditions, detecting anomalies such as overcurrent, overvoltage and faults. Lasting 15 to 20 years, their lifespan is influenced by usage intensity and environmental exposure. Factors like frequent switching or harsh
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