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The collection of required asset condition data from the field on a large scale for GE Vernova and 3rd party electrical equipment is a key step in building a robust Asset Performance Management strategy. Grid Services specialists are constantly evaluating and implementing new innovative inspection technologies applying strict processes and methods. The digital inspections methods are designed to improve the efficiency of data collection, oil analysis and online monitoring. All new approaches to capture data are integrated into the EnergyAPM ecosystem for automatic data transfer.

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GE Vernova's comprehensive portfolio of solutions for implementing and managing a substation.

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GE Vernova's Asset Lifecycle Management services combine a large set of methodologies to collect condition data off and online, consulting and asset optimization services using digital technology to improve the monitoring, recording and analysis of asset operations and predict asset behavior.

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GE’s innovative and high-quality services help maintain and optimize high-voltage electrical assets throughout their entire lifecycle. Leveraging the design and manufacturing knowledge of our engineers, the customized service solutions ensure substations and networks perform as planned. Experts deliver services for applications across the power system, keeping assets up-to-date, safe, reliable and efficient while improving customers’ return-on-investment.

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Water is central not just to the economy, but to life. As a result, water treatment systems demand secure, dependable power to ensure process uptime. From the grid-connected substation to reliable electrical protection, control, and power quality metering, GE Vernova offers tailored solutions to keep critical plants operational and meet the unique needs of the water and wastewater industry.

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Data centers – and the information they store – are becoming increasingly integral to the way we live our lives every day. With rising demand also come rising costs. And more importantly, the information in these centers must remain secure while simultaneously accessible. We provide data centers with electrical infrastructure solutions from the input utility source to the IT server racks. This includes high-voltage switchgear and transformers, medium and low voltage electrical equipment, automatic transfer switches, switchboards, UPS systems, critical power PDUs, static transfer switches, and overhead busway. This chain of electrification products provides high quality and reliable products and services for the entire lifecycle of a data center.

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Mining companies require secure communications, efficient asset performance management, and dependable, innovative technology to protect their critical assets. GE Vernova offers a broad product portfolio to help you through each step of the mining process – safely and reliably.

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Home > Services > Support & Services > HV/MV Equipment > Advanced Non-Intrusive Inspection Services

  
Advanced Non-Intrusive Inspection Services

For fast and cost-effective measurement and diagnostics, GE offers advanced inspection methods that do not require the asset to be opened, including;

  • Digital X-Ray
  • Vibration Monitoring
  • Ultra High Frequency Analysis
  • Dynamic Contact Resistance Measurement (DCRM)

The service includes recommendation in the choice of inspection methods, onsite inspections, diagnosis and maintenance recommendations captured in a condition assessment report.

GE’s advanced non-intrusive inspection services enable condition assessment of ageing High Voltage (HV) circuit breakers from GE and 3rd party OEMs including: Live and Dead Tank Circuit Breakers, Gas-Insulated Substations (GIS) and Generator Circuit Breakers They are applicable for various objectives:

  • Fleet Performance Management
  • Critical asset assessment
  • Risk evaluation
  • Diagnosis of defect root cause
  • Routine maintenance
  • Highly demanding application including shunt reactor or transformer protection
GE Advantage
Benefits
Digital X-Ray
Dynamic Contact Resistance Measurement
Vibration Monitoring
UHF Analysis

GE’s Advanced Methods for Non-Intrusive Inspection

Advisory for Method Selection

GE provides assistance in method selection. Depending on the asset, the component to assess and the type of defect to detect, one or more complementary methods of non-intrusive inspections could be recommended.

The selection of methods will take into account the application, the criticality, the history and events occurred. If the inspection requires the use of several advanced non-intrusive methods, they can be performed during the same short planned outage when mandatory.

Expert Diagnosis

In case of defect, the diagnosis can be generated remotely in a few hours by the GE expert. High quality measurement and data generated provides conclusive results which are compared to models created to evaluate the acceptable limits. Those models are developed by GE matter experts from R&D and manufacturing, this expertise in diagnosis is built on 125 years of experience in high voltage equipment engineering.

Maintenance Recommendation

As part of the service, GE provides a comprehensive inspection report including the results, the diagnosis, the expected remaining lifetime of the devices, and a detailed recommendation to plan the necessary maintenance or replacement actions.

Advanced non-intrusive inspection enables deployment of Asset Performance Management (APM) on a fleet of circuit breakers.

GE’s Advanced Methods for Non-Intrusive Inspection

Customer Benefits

Cost Effective

  • No or reduced planned outage compared to standard inspection of internal components
  • Eliminating unnecessary opening of asset
  • Minimizing risk of failure

Safe and Reliable

  • 20% reduction in asset failure thanks to the use of non-intrusive methods
  • Eliminating risk of failure during reenergizing
  • No risk of SF6 leakage

Digitalized Results

  • Data is transmitted remotely to expert for analysis
  • Centralized data available for asset performance analytics
  • Results of asset condition provided in few hours

Proven Methodologies

  • Models based on +120 years of expertise in equipment design, manufacturing and service.
  • Proven experience in diverse industries including rotating machines
  • Diagnosis and recommendations delivered by subject matter experts
Customer Benefits
Internal component of the circuit breaker Internal component of the circuit breaker

Digital X - Ray

Internal component image is printed on a flexible plate and runs through a high resolution (~40µm) laser scanner which reads and digitizes the film. The digital X-ray image produced is viewed and enhanced using powerful image processing software. Contrast, brightness, filtration and zoom can be customized.

Default Detection

Digital X-Ray inspection is suitable to evaluate the condition of aluminum, porcelain or polymer main, arcing and moving components. The defects that can be detected include:

  • Damaged or deformed parts: crack and bent components
  • Missing or loose components
  • Corrosion and inclusion
  • Misalignment of components
  • Nozzles / Barrier / Resin Insulation
DCRM fingerprints with new contact (left) or ageing (right) DCRM fingerprints with new contact (left) or ageing (right)

Dynamic Contact Resistance Measurement

Dynamic Contact Resistance Measurement (DCRM) is conducted by injecting a Direct Current through the breaker. The voltage drop is measured when the breaker operates a close-open cycle at rated speed. The acquisition unit then calculates the resistance value. During a phase of the motion, arcing contacts are the only parts which touch, the condition of these contacts can be assess.

Default Detection

The comparison between the pattern reference and the measurement curve supports the condition of the arcing contacts and the breaker chamber moving parts assessment. Any change in dynamic/frictional characteristics of the circuit breaker immediately reflects as a change in the dynamic resistance signature.

DCRM fingerprint deviation indicates various defects including:

  • Misalignment of moving parts
  • Contact wipe of main and arcing contacts
  • Erosion of arcing and main contact
  • Mechanical integrity of various components
  • Measurement of the arcing contact length
Vibration pattern of an operating mechanism Vibration pattern of an operating mechanism

Vibration Monitoring

Any mechanical movement in equipment produces sounds and/or vibrations. The resulting signals are propagated to the external structure via various parts of the mechanism and through the interrupting medium. The accelerometers positioned on the external structure of the circuit breaker measure the vibration bursts. As the vibration fingerprints is highly repeatable for a healthy circuit-breaker, a change in dynamic/frictional characteristics immediately reflects a change in the vibration pattern and thus highlights a defect.

Mechanical Fault Detection

The main characteristic of vibration diagnostics is the detection of a change between a vibration fingerprints recorded during operation and the reference.

Typical problems indicated by deviation in the vibration pattern include:

  • Over-travel of connecting rids
  • Distortion of a drive shaft
  • Release of a contact / frame / mobile mechanism
  • Hydraulic/spring operating mechanism defect
Example of protrusion Example of protrusion

Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Analysis

The monitoring of the Gas-Insulated Substation (GIS) insulation health through measurement of partial discharge is the most efficient and competitive solution to prevent potential high repair cost and long downtime.

Principal

Partial discharge is the source of electromagnetic waves in the range of ultra high frequency from 300 to 2000MHz. The signal goes along the GIS and is easily captured by the antenna. Both UHF internal or external sensors can be installed on any type of GIS up to 800kV. The system can monitor SF6 and g³ filled equipment. The frequency spectrum and time analysis of the UHF signal assist supervision of commissioning, operation and maintenance.

The pattern shape supports accurate identification of default type including:

  • Presence of particle
  • Protrusion
  • Coronas
  • Free potential
  • Insulator void