Maintenance strategy
The main objective of maintenance is to reduce the probability of failure and/or extend the lifetime of the equipment.
Maintenance affects Transformer Condition and Reliability, but it also have a great influence on the Replacement Time.
So, it is very important to define proper maintenance strategy.
Most energy systems apply Corrective Maintenance (CM) or Time-Based Maintenance (TBM).
CM has the lowest level of economic support and it works on run-to-failure basis.
TBM is the most simple form of preventive maintenance, which is often performed at regular scheduled time intervals regardless of the equipment’s condition and based on either the advice of the equipment’s manufacturer or experience of personnel with similar equipment.
On the other hand, Condition-based Maintenance (CBM) is the most optimal strategy, because actions are being performed when the condition of the equipment requires.
And there is also Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), where the concept of reliability is in the middle of maintenance. RCM essentially maximizes the system reliability while minimizing the associated maintenance cost. This qualifies RCM to be the most cost-effective maintenance approach.
But the choice of the maintenance type is not unique for every transformer.
Different aspects should be considered: the value of equipment, the importance to the entire system, the presence of a replacement unit and other parameters.
Nowadays, short-term planning and cash flow considerations (cost cutting) have taken precedence over long-term planning and the capital investment of transformers. The main reason for this is that maintenance is not completely related with diagnostics and condition assessment. And there is also the distance of management from technical topics.
Maintenance affects Transformer Condition and Reliability, but it also have a great influence on the Replacement Time.
So, it is very important to define proper maintenance strategy.
Most energy systems apply Corrective Maintenance (CM) or Time-Based Maintenance (TBM).
CM has the lowest level of economic support and it works on run-to-failure basis.
TBM is the most simple form of preventive maintenance, which is often performed at regular scheduled time intervals regardless of the equipment’s condition and based on either the advice of the equipment’s manufacturer or experience of personnel with similar equipment.
On the other hand, Condition-based Maintenance (CBM) is the most optimal strategy, because actions are being performed when the condition of the equipment requires.
And there is also Reliability-Centered Maintenance (RCM), where the concept of reliability is in the middle of maintenance. RCM essentially maximizes the system reliability while minimizing the associated maintenance cost. This qualifies RCM to be the most cost-effective maintenance approach.
But the choice of the maintenance type is not unique for every transformer.
Different aspects should be considered: the value of equipment, the importance to the entire system, the presence of a replacement unit and other parameters.
Nowadays, short-term planning and cash flow considerations (cost cutting) have taken precedence over long-term planning and the capital investment of transformers. The main reason for this is that maintenance is not completely related with diagnostics and condition assessment. And there is also the distance of management from technical topics.
Our task is to build bridges between all relevant participants.
The optimal management system involves the synergistic action of three basic driving axes: managers, experts and technical staff. Every action should be coordinated and harmonized.
And that is possible after you applying integral approach, recommended by TransformLife.
Let us bring together all driving axis!
Let us bring together all driving axis!