Condition monitoring of HV equipment

Edited by the Processingtalk editorial team Jan 19, 2006

Major electricity users in UK/Middle East save money by having high voltage motors surveyed for partial discharge activity while checking high voltage equipment including switchgear and transformers

Owners of electricity assets in the UK and Middle East can now save money by having their high voltage motors surveyed for partial discharge (PD) activity at the same time as high voltage equipment including switchgear and transformers are being checked.

The offer is the result of a global alliance between two UK-based companies: EA Technology, which specialises in providing engineering and maintenance solutions for electricity network operators, and Aberdeen-based Dowding and Mills, which is a world leader in the condition assessment of rotating plant particularly in the petrochemical sector.

For EA Technology Alan Roberts explained: "Since we formed the alliance in 2003, our respective technicians have developed the ability to deploy condition monitoring techniques from both companies.

The result is that we can carry out a full range of tests during a single visit, which obviously reduces costs".

One of the first clients to benefit in the Middle East from the combined service is UAE based oil and gas company ZADCO (Zakum Development Company), where motors, switchgear and transformers that operate offshore were tested by EA Technology staff.

EA Technology engineers used the Dowding and Mills 'Stator Monitor' technique to capture data on the discharge activity in the stator windings of the ZADCOHV motors.

The information was then analysed by Dowding and Mills to provide an accurate report on the motor condition: EA Technology staff also used partial discharge detection equipment to non-intrusively assess the condition of HV switchgear and a range of enhanced oil tests to assess the condition and 'Health Index' of their oil filled transformers.

Conversely, Dowding and Mills personnel can now survey HV switchgear and transformers for partial discharge activity and send data to EA Technology for analysis and reports on their condition.