Expert Services for Cost-effective Asset Management

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A critical factor

The risk of equipment condition deterioration and failure increases as equipment ages. Optimal timing in making key investment decisions in anticipation of this end of life is critical. If made too early, expenditures may produce higher total costs. If made too late, greater failure rates can result. To effectively optimize the risk-cost function for aging assets, it is important for stakeholders to understand the risk and influence of critical variables on equipment failure rates during the useful service life of plant.

Comprehensive services

Kinectrics has developed a comprehensive array of services to accurately assess the condition of electrical equipment essential for the safe and efficient operation of generation facilities. Kinectrics’ services can be used to make decisions about individual components or integrated into more sophisticated asset management programs. Our services and tools cover:

Generators and Motors

A complete range of field diagnostic test services for electrical generators (hydraulic, steam turbine and combustion turbine) and motors is available.

• Partial discharge (off and on-line)
• Capacitance and dissipation factor
• Insulation resistance and polarization index
• TVA probe testing
• Electromagnetic core imperfection detector (EL-CID)
• Recurrent surge oscillograph
• High voltage dc ramp
• AC hipot
• Visual inspection

In addition, Kinectrics has capabilities to perform stator winding qualification testing, such as voltage endurance (IEEE 1043), thermal cycling (IEEE 1310) and turn insulation testing (IEEE 522). Further services include functional and environmental qualification of stator winding insulation systems and components in accordance with IEEE 275 and 429.

Transformers

Generator step-up (GSU) transformers are a critical component in generating stations because of the potentially long lead times in acquiring replacements in the event of a catastrophic failure. Further, the large volumes of transformer oil typically present also represent a significant safety and environmental hazard. In this area, Kinectrics has been working on developing methods to assess, using a range of diagnostic methods, the condition of the oil-paper insulation of the transformer.

Transformers are subject to a number of potential deterioration mechanisms that will vary, depending on design, operation and maintenance. Recognizing this variability in transformer aging, Kinectrics’ assessment methodology uses one or more of the following tools:

• Partial discharge (PD): electrical and ultrasonic

• Power factor testing

• Frequency response analysis (FRA)

• DC return voltage, dielectric spectroscopy measurements

• Dissolved gas-in-oil (DGA) analysis

Cables, Switchgear and Bus

Shielded cables, switchgear and bus assemblies are also critical to safe and economic plant operation. Kinectrics has developed effective test methods and criteria applicable to these systems rated 4.16 kV and above. Two principal tests are employed to provide assurance of reliable performance in cable, bus and switchgear assemblies:

• AC hipot or withstand test, in which case a high ac voltage of a specified level appropriate to the voltage class of the component is applied for at least one minute.
• Partial discharge testing, where the partial discharge test is applied after the hipot to determine if a latent defect has been activated by the application of an overvoltage.

In addition to these tests, low frequency techniques (RVM, dielectric spectroscopy) are also used to provide insight into deterioration mechanisms due to water treeing and thermal aging.

Superior technical expertise

Kinectrics offers extensive experience and knowledge on many aspects of power plant equipment. Through past R&D activities, Kinectrics has developed extensive expertise in the behavior and aging of various insulation systems, including mica-filled, oil/paper, polymeric and composite materials, as well as operational aspects of plant equipment.

We have also designed and applied a broad range of diagnostic methods such as partial discharge and other advanced test techniques. Our condition assessment techniques range from simple, low-cost solutions to large full-scale systems for gathering data on equipment.

Other Related Services

• Failure analysis
• Analysis of the effect of maintenance policies on equipment life
• Grounding systems analysis
• Performance of protection and control equipment
• Advanced statistical analysis of failure data and remaining life predictions
• Strategies for condition assessment
• Technical consultation
• Insulation systems
• Equipment condition
• Interpretation of diagnostic data
• General consultation

For more information, contact:

Howard Sedding, 416.207.6000 x 6175, howard.sedding@kinectrics.com

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