Electricity + Control March 2017

DRIVES, MOTORS + SWITCHGEAR

Conclusion The SOD approach represents a new generation of devices that are integrated with services which allow for minimal downtime. The ‘built in’ capabilities of SOD-enabled devices help manufacturers to begin their migration to future ‘smart’ factories by connecting key devices and transmitting digitised information that allows for preventative actions in the maintenance arena. In the short term, SODs will make reactive and preventive maintenance operations more efficient. In the longer term, data collection and analysis capabilities begin to allow predictive maintenance to become a reality. The SOD concept allows for a transition from reactive to anticipative maintenance, which is at the heart of all maintenance operation strategies.

SOD architecture facilitates simple and quick maintenance repair procedures. A lifetime monitoring system is also embedded in an SOD-enabled drive. This system issues warnings when parts are likely to wear out (this depends upon operating time and environmen- tal conditions) and when warranties are about to run out. Start up and commissioning benefits ‘The system issues warnings when parts are likely to wear out and when warranties are about to run out.’ The proper start-up and commissioning of VSDs is not a trivial exercise and the penalty for doing it wrong can lead to unanticipated downtime. Experts who perform the start-up of ‘on-load’ VSDs over and over are well equipped to make sure the process is smooth and painless. The time savings that result assure faster time to market and the risks of poor operation of a new installation are minimised. The SOD approach serves as a high level commissioning tool. The feedback provided by the intelligence of the drive indicates whether the system is functioning as specified. In addition, asset specific documentation access is instant. With the addition of these very early field service reports, documentation history is complete and recorded starting Day One. Preventive and predictive maintenance planning Electromechanical and mechanical devices such as transformers, cir- cuit breakers, motors, gearboxes and mechanical transmission have a predictable behaviour allowing their maintenance to be planned. Models exist which have compiled operating time, load and torque, and temperature data and established sets of rules for when these components can be expected to fail. Similar rules for VSDs (since they are electronic devices as op- posed to the aforementioned electromechanical and mechanical devices) are unclear and more unpredictable. However, SODs can act as ‘smart’ sensors, and collect data on all of the key parameters affecting the driveline lifetime (such as operating time, temperatures, torque, main voltage, currents). Through such monitoring, the SODs can compute future out- comes for those chain elements that are predictable, and to perform statistical analysis on those components in the driveline that are not predictable. Recent surveys indicate that global process industries lose an estimated $20 billion annually due to unscheduled downtime (equivalent to 5% of production revenue). This loss significantly impacts factory profitability and efficiency. In order to address this issue, many industries are reducing overall downtime impact by migrating to technologies designed specifically to maximise uptime.

• VSDs have proliferated and are installed in large numbers throughout various industries. • Since these technologies are relatively new, not much thought has been given to the integration of these drives. • Nor have their potential energy savings been fully realised.

take note

Philippe Hampikian is the Field Services Offer Director for VSDs within Sch- neider Electric's Industry Business Unit. He holds a Master of Engineering degree from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d'Arts et Métiers (Paris, France) and a MBA from Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris, ESCP-EAP (Paris, France). Most of his career has been spent both developing and marketing Industrial Automation solutions. He is currently responsible for developing services for supporting VSD installations. Enquiries: PriscaMashanda. Email prisca.mashanda@schneider-electric.com

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