Inspections
As part of a comprehensive maintenance programme, BRUSH offers a structured inspection scheme, which can be tailored to meet the operational needs of the installed equipment and facility. These inspections are available for all BRUSH products in addition to third party equipment.
By following a structured inspection programme, the equipment outage time is reduced to a known minimum period. It also provides a continuous appraisal of the equipment’s current condition. As a result of each inspection, potential problems arising can be addressed prior to them causing serious failure.
These inspections are addressed primarily as minor and major and further categorised into levels representing the life of the product, be it running hours or years of installation. For each level, a defined number of inspection points are determined which can be undertaken within a specified time. To support each inspection level a materials kit is offered together with our experienced service engineers and appropriate tooling.
Minor Inspections
These generator inspections are carried out with the rotor in-situ and have been matched to follow typical outage periods of the prime mover.
8,000-hours/1 year typically includes basic checking of protection and monitoring devices.
25,000-hours/3 years typically includes additionally checking of exciter, rectifier, and cooling systems.
75,000-hours/9 years is similar to the 25,000-hours inspection.
Major Inspections
Also with the rotor in-situ, a more in-depth mechanical and insulation investigation is included in the 50,000-hours/6 years level which typically includes the minor inspections and additional bearing and stator end winding inspection.
The most comprehensive generator inspections, typically carried out after 100,000-hours/12 years, include the removal of the rotor and varying degrees of inspection of the rotor. Rotor caps may be removed or boroscope inspection completed depending on individual needs. With the rotor removed a thorough stator core inspection can be completed checking, coil, wedge and insulation condition.
Following these inspections BRUSH provide a report to recommend a course of action. Minor repairs may be addressed within the scope of the inspection process with more major repairs or replacement parts requiring further address.