As aging electrical assets come under growing pressure, the risks of inefficiencies and accidents grow. To support more effective approaches to maintenance, businesses need detailed, real-time information about the health of their systems.
The global demand for electrical power is continuing to grow. The International Energy Agency expects consumption to increase by 4% each year to 2027 – an amount greater than the total annual usage of Japan. For a lot of businesses that rely on electricity, the challenge is not only to make sure they have more of it, but to do so with aging equipment. In the US and other developed countries, the number of electrical power assets reaching the end of service life has increased in recent years, with many having now been in operation for four or five decades.
As electrical equipment ages, problems with its reliability, safety and efficiency are more likely to occur – for several different reasons. For example, equipment can overheat due to the degradation of electrical interfaces, such as the gradual loosening of joints on busbars over time. This leads to inefficiencies as energy is lost through heat and can also degrade insulation – in turn increasing the risk of failures such as arc flashes, short circuits or complete system shutdowns. Statistical analysis has found that the aging of electrical insulating materials is a major cause of switchgear failure. And there are many other situations where the condition of insulating material degrades due to external factors – such as water ingress into the equipment. Liquid-filled electrical equipment, such as an oil-filled transformer, is not immune – the insulating fluid can become contaminated with water or the byproducts of normal insulation aging.
Ultimately, the failure of electrical infrastructure – whether because of normal or abnormal insulation aging, mechanical lifetime issues, environmental issues, rodent ingress, or other reasons – involves inadvertent electrical connections, known as faults, occurring between conductors or between one conductor and a grounded component. This can lead to outages, fires or (in the case of an arc flash), an explosion that creates temperatures we normally associate with the surface of the sun rather than with electrical equipment.
Clearly, the possibility of incidents like this creates a serious risk for personnel, and this is reason enough to address the situation. But even in purely financial terms, there is an urgent need for electrical asset managers to take action. Ongoing inefficiencies eat into operational budgets. And when faults and accidents do occur, they worsen the impact on balance sheets – through increased downtime as well as the costs of repairs. In the mining industry, for instance, data from the insurer FM Global indicates that a fifth (20%) of losses worldwide over a twenty-year period were driven by electrical breakdowns.
The importance of effective electrical power system maintenance
There are no maintenance-free electrical systems, because these systems are constructed of real-world materials that are subject to aging, changes in environmental conditions, and other external factors. Therefore, the key to the reliability of these systems is maintenance. Traditionally, businesses have taken a calendar-based approach to maintaining their electrical power systems. This involves planning maintenance according to a fixed schedule – with set times (in many cases, annually) for shutting down the system, assessing its condition, and carrying out any necessary work. But as systems become larger and more complex, this way of working becomes increasingly inefficient. It may be, for example, that some infrastructure doesn’t actually need maintaining at the time of the planned shutdown. Meanwhile, other components could have been operating inefficiently for months without anyone realising it. They might even deteriorate to a point that causes a major accident before the next planned maintenance session is due – creating the need for a costly and disruptive unplanned shutdown.
Over time, then, a solely calendar-based approach becomes not only inefficient but could also potentially be dangerous. It’s much more effective for businesses to carry out maintenance based on their equipment’s actual condition. That hasn’t always been practical. But Schneider Electric’s industry-leading digital technology now provides the high level of system visibility needed to support this kind of approach. We install sensors on electrical equipment to continuously monitor variables such as current, temperature, humidity and voltage. These insights give electrical asset managers a detailed understanding of the health of their systems without having to make frequent in-person inspections. This allows them to incorporate a condition-based approach to maintenance, and possibly extend the period in between routine maintenance shutdowns.
Supporting proactive electrical asset management
The data and insights that support condition-based maintenance can also drive a more proactive approach to electrical asset management more generally. Rather than reacting to a succession of problems, having a deeper understanding of their electrical systems allows organizations to take charge of them – taking steps to improve efficiency, enhance reliability and address potential problems before they become emergencies. Whether it’s installing sensors, upgrading equipment, or redesigning infrastructure, they can confidently plan and implement effective modernization strategies, making sure they get the most out of their systems and are ready to meet future demands.
In Schneider Electric’s vision, digital technology and electricity combine to support dynamic, resilient and sustainable future industries. It’s an exciting prospect, but the path to getting there will be different for every organization. And for businesses considering this journey, it isn’t always clear where to begin. To get a better grasp on this, you first need an in-depth understanding of the current situation. Schneider Electric can provide this by carrying out a comprehensive assessment. As well as analysing the condition of your infrastructure, we’ll make recommendations on how to improve it in the most effective way – optimizing current performance while laying strong foundations for future growth.
Modernizing electrical systems is a complex process that requires careful planning and implementation. With more than 260 consultants and 6,000 electrical experts across the world, as well as 300 in-house data scientists, Schneider Electric is ideally placed to help you succeed in it. We’re continuously working to improve our technology – and our expert advice and robust data security offer ongoing support as you build it into your systems. The coming electric world will bring plenty of challenges. We can provide you with the roadmap and compass to find the way through these as you discover your path to success.
If you’re ready to explore how a proactive asset management strategy can yield quick benefits and a strong ROI, I invite you to connect with me on LinkedIn or complete the form for a complimentary 30-minute consultation. Let’s work together to secure a more reliable and efficient future for your electrical assets!
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