Page 51 - North American Clean Energy July/August 2019 Issue

The Repair Process
After initial inspection, the IRSP technician begins to remove, repair, clean, and rebuild any stressed parts and obsolete components.
1. Remove the IGBTs, heater plates with control board, power supply, and blower.
2. With all components removed, clean bus bars and heat sinks inside and out of unit.
3. Verify which IGBTs are the correct ones for the unit; this is dependent upon the type of DC lter inside the unit.
4. Install of IGBTs with the correct torque speci cations.
5. Build heater plates and install control and power supply boards,
and make sure all connectors are securely fastened.
VFD Testing Phase
is is by far the most crucial step in the overall process, because the
IRSP technician must make sure that all components are in working order before they are returned to the wind farm. e repaired unit moves into a load testing center and ber optics connect to the control board. Proper voltage is applied to the DC link and control power is applied to an external controller. e unit should power on with no faults. After power up, initiate a run command and ramp the unit up to 50 Hz. e nal step is scoping the outputs to verify that each phase is properly turning on and o .
If the unit passes all the above, the VFD connects to the load center and runs at a 200amp load for one hour to allow burn-in of the IGBTs. It’s important to use an IRSP that can fully load-test drives up to 400 horsepower. e testing process allow technicians to identify weak
and faulty components, as well as any hotspots, while measuring
and monitoring the voltage and currents coming out of the drive. It’s important to send all test reports to the client. It will give them peace of mind that their equipment will work as soon as it’s shipped back.
Properly maintaining converter components is a big deal, particularly after hoisting a 100lb unit up a 300-foot wind turbine. Partnering with the right IRSP who can x and test your equipment is critical, and can help you avoid a big (and costly) headache down the road.
Tommy Duckworth is Electronics Shop Manager and Colleen Voisin is Marketing Director for Industrial Repair Service. Industrial Repair Service technicians use state-of-the-art technology to test and repair wind power equipment, especially older and obsolete components.
Industrial Repair Service /// www.industrialrepair.net
Carbon ber contact for shaft grounding
Schunk has developed a product that
is proven to safely transfer parasitic current through a rotating shaft via way of carbon ber grounding. Without a low impedance path parasitic current will transfer through ball bearings causing pitting and leading to high temperature bearing faults. Using a proprietary coating, Schunk can utilize the high surface area of a carbon ber strand as a conductive path for high frequency current. is creates hundreds of individual connection points with the ground shaft and utilizes the skin e ect principal to reduce electrical impedance.
Schunk Carbon Technology, LLC
/// www.schunk-carbontechnology.com
Naming convention for wind turbines
SCADA International makes available
its Global Wind Data Tag-List, providing uniformity to roughly 1400 tag-names and data points that cover diverse turbine types, models, and brands. e tag-list
is a naming convention which attempts
to promote data exchange within the industry, rooted in and compliant with the IEC 61400-25 standard.
SCADA International
/// www.scada-international.com
Mobile-enabled wireless security device
Supra’s TRAC-Guard padlock provides authorized, secure access to virtually
any remote site. is Bluetooth-enabled padlock adds convenience and security in place of traditional mechanical or combination locks. e versatile TRAC- Guard padlock comes ready for use and ts seamlessly into Supra’s TRACcess Manager system to enable mobile access, real-time communications, and 24/7 cloud-based management. e padlock enhances security via authorized and tracked access. TRAC-Guard padlock operations are protected with layers of security such as individually authorized keys that routinely expire, required individual PIN codes, user permission for each locking point, and encrypted system communications. Cloud-based, 24/7 TRACcess Manager administration provides a view to access activity from the portal, or email alerts or routine reports, to monitor job status, con rm vendor maintenance visits, and check the electronic logbook. Setting up mobile keys is quick and easy with permissions delivered in real time to the TRACcess eKEY app. is eliminates the need
for sta travel solely for opening gates
or doors or providing access to assets such as heavy machinery. Bluetooth communications between the mobile key and the lock enable operations even in areas lacking cellular coverage.
Supra /// www.suprasystems.com
Battery powered in-line cutting tool
ILSCO announces an addition to their battery powered in-line cutting tool o ering. e TB-CUT26ACSR-IS features a 350° rotatable scissor head design with heavy duty blades that cuts up to 3/8" EHS Guy
Wire and 556 ACSR. Blade inserts make for easy eld replacement. A DataTrack / USB interface captures output performance and data. e tool is backed by a 5-year TaskMaster Pro warranty.
ILSCO /// www.ilsco.com
North American Clean Energy
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