THE MAJOR PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE ACTIONS OF THE ELECTRIC EQUIPMENTS IN THE INDUSTRIAL FACILITIES

In modern low-voltage electrical installations, the predictive maintenance of the major electrical equipments involved in the power delivery process (transformers) or in the conversion of the electrical energy (especially electric motors) becomes mandatory. Thus, a high level of reliability and safety is assured for both the electric facility and operators. The proactive maintenance is to be non-invasively performed and mainly requires an infrared (IR) thermographic inspection and power quality analysis of the installation loads. A vibration investigation is also necessary for the motor drive systems. The paper critically studies the first two main maintenance procedures revealing their main characteristics, performances and limits. A case-study presents a 1000 kVA distribution transformer that supplies a bakery facility that comprised mainly heaters and inductions motors as loads.