Power transformers are valuable assets, and utility and industrial companies have every incentive to keep them running efficiently and reliably for as long as possible. Ian Addison explains how ABB’s UK transformer service team offers a comprehensive whole-life service to enable customers to get the most out of their equipment.
ABB has created a team of highly trained and experienced transformer service professionals. This enables us to provide a fast response, throughout the UK, with a complete portfolio of services to keep transformers running at maximum efficiency and reliability. And it’s not just for ABB' we work happily with power transformers from any manufacturer.
We appreciate that deregulation of the energy market and increasing pressure to reduce costs is forcing managers to look continually for ways to reduce the life-cycle costs of their installed assets and improve return on investment. The situation is especially acute in the case of power transformers. A substantial proportion of the UK transformer population is nearing the end of its technical lifetime, while at the same time there is a drive to both optimise transformer performance and increase availability. So we focus on providing a wholelife service from installation, through normal preventive maintenance and repair and retrofit programmes that can provide an extra lease of life, right through to end of life management with minimum environmental impact. INSTALLATION
We co-ordinate transportation, erection, commissioning and training to bring new ABB transformers safely on-line as fast as possible and ensure a smooth hand-over. And we provide a complete after-sales service.
CONDITION/RISK ASSESSMENT
In-depth knowledge of the actual status of equipment based on its recorded history, a review of its design, and advanced diagnostic techniques can enable potential faults to be identified before they happen. It also provides a sound basis for the implementation of condition-based maintenance or corrective action.
REPAIR SERVICES
Should a major problem arise, the ABB team provides a fast response for repairs such as parts replacement, tap changer rework or more extensive repairs. The usual starting point in such cases is a deep diagnosis to assess fully the condition of the unit, or a failure analysis. Where possible, all work is carried out on-site. However, when more extensive work is required, we arrange full factory repair and refurbishment in one of ABB’s fully equipped transformer facilities.
UPGRADES FOR A LONGER SERVICE LIFE
In many cases, enhancing a transformer’s current condition, or repairing it instead of replacing it, can give it a new lease of life, dramatically lowering capital costs, as well as providing a faster turnaround than buying new. Advanced techniques such as on-site oil reclamation and low frequency drying may reduce ageing and extend lifetime, and rewinding with high temperature insulation materials can even boost the transformer to a better than original specification.
Transformer service benefits
- Trouble-free operation
- Maximum asset availability and minimum downtime
- Reduced operation and maintenance costs
- Reduced capital costs
- Improved performance
- Upgrading of existing equipment
- Planned and optimised investment
- · Personnel safety and environment protection