Electricity and Control August 2021

PLANT MAINTENANCE, TEST + MEASUREMENT

Modernising plant assets for longevity Patrick Kazadi, Marketing and Business Development Director (Field Services) for Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric, outlines some of the factors to be considered in upgrading plant and equipment to improve performance and support longevity.

Patrick Kazadi, Schneider Electric.

A t a time when organisations are looking for practical and cost-effective ways to extend the life of existing infrastructure and improve efficiencies, modernisa­ tion and continuity of services need to be considered in tan­ dem. Modernisation should not only extend infrastructure assets but also digitise infrastructure using technologies that enable IoT connectivity. Knowing when to repair or replace aging assets is a critical aspect of sound asset management and field ser­ vices. The key is to partner with an organisation that offers the requisite tools, expertise and methods to evaluate ex­ isting systems, safeguard existing investments and move towards optimising processes and productivity. Digitisation takes organisations one step closer to re­ mote operation of assets, and this represents a major leap forward in terms of monitoring and maintenance. It enables those organisations to plan preventive maintenance and take preventive actions before an infrastructure problem occurs. Modernisation solutions that enable organisations to reach these goals are already available. As an example, there are retrofit solutions that make it easier to extend the lifespan of existing low-voltage and medium-voltage switchgear in electrical networks. These solutions upgrade the switchgear with the latest connected technology which provides for: - Condition-based monitoring of switchgear through thermal and vacuum pressure sensors and - Asset performance management via a connected switchgear hub. Retrofit solutions offer savings on equipment as well as process shutdown costs. Retrofits will replace only aging or obsolete components while retaining, for example, the switchgear structure. This means plant owners and opera­ tors can avoid the high costs associated with replacing an entire infrastructure and limit downtime. Additionally, organ­ isations benefit from an extended warranty period, gaining more from their initial investment. From a sustainability perspective, modernising equipment means retaining the viable elements and recycling obsolete equipment, again saving on costs. Factors to consider Planning the upgrade and modernisation of infrastructure should take account of the current condition of equipment and future development needs. However, the most critical decision factor is often maintenance costs: spare parts

have an obsolescence cycle. Retrofitted solutions safeguard organisa­ tions against potentially running out of parts which can mean installing a completely new solution. In addition, retrofitted solutions offer more insight into equipment and assets, which allow for predictive and proactive maintenance – enabling organisations to stay a step ahead of any issues that might arise due to faulty or failing equipment. The bottom line is retrofitted solutions save on maintenance costs and extend the lifespan of equipment – enabling organisations to mod­ ernise without having to overhaul infrastructure completely. Tried and tested Most modernisation solutions are based on multiple retrofit projects. Schneider Electric provides an ECOFIT solution which is installed by its qualified field service engineers or certified partners to ensure the successful completion of such projects. With modernisation and digiti­ sation of plant and equipment, organisations stand to gain: - Improved availability and operational reliability as a result of re­ duced equipment failure - Reduced risk and improved safety of people and assets - Compliance with industry standards and legislation - Improved operating costs as retrofits can be spread over several years. The road to modernised plant infrastructure need not be overly challenging; choosing the right retrofit solutions and partnering with an established organisation will deliver the benefits. □

Retrofit solutions are available to extend the lifespan of existing LV and MV switchgear in electrical networks.

For more information visit: www.se.com

Electricity + Control AUGUST 2021

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