From transformer failure to complete replacement in less than 18 hours
A 3am call to an ABB duty engineer was the start of a series of rapid response events following the shutdown a production line at Walkers Snack Foods in Leicester, restoring power and production in very short order.
An explosion in the internal windings of a high voltage 1500 kVA power transformer in the plant brought output to a halt. By 8am the problem had been inspected and a replacement transformer located in Derbyshire.
ABB’s immediate action was to get an engineer to the Walkers site. The engineer discovered the problem with the transformer, was able to by-pass the failed transformer and restore power to the production line temporarily. The next step was to find a replacement transformer. This was quickly sourced and arrangements made for delivery, installation and commissioning.
A Hiab truck was dispatched to collect the new transformer and a 50-ton crane with experienced crew brought to site to remove the old transformer and put the new one in place. ABB engineers completed installation and commissioning.
At the customer’s request a temporary generator was obtained in case of prolonged problems but this was not required.
The new transformer was delivered and installed within hours. It was commissioned and up and running by 8pm on the same day, less than 18 hours after the original emergency phone call.
Terry Owen, Electrical Engineering Manager for the Walkers Snack Foods Group, says, “We were very impressed by the fast positive response to our emergency. ABB showed the real value of their maintenance contracts in the most practical way.”