NON-INTRUSIVE MAINTENANCE
NON-INTRUSIVE MAINTENANCE
Non-Intrusive Maintenance
The role of this service is to complement standard and recognised electrical inspection and testing practices such as Fixed wire testing and PAT testing. This method satisfies the requirement of BS:6423
A significant percentage of Electrical Inspection Reports carried out in production and manufacturing facilities are not tested due to
operational limitations (Generally downtime cannot be given at the agreed time of test). Experience tells us that this percentage of the
installation is critical process equipment which can only be switched off at set periods throughout the year and in some cases never.
This type of electrical inspection includes the following
- Thermography
- Ultrasound
- Power analysis (current monitoring)
- Sensory inspection (The eye of experience)
- Energised electrical testing
This method, unlike standard electrical testing and inspection, can be carried out with zero downtime. It can provide a vital documented
asset history for critical equipment over a period of time, alerting the client to any potential fault before it happens. This allows rectification
maintenance to be scheduled for the first available slot to ensure no loss of production.
This type of electrical inspection includes the following
- Thermography
- Ultrasound
- Power analysis (current monitoring)
- Sensory inspection (The eye of experience)
- Energised electrical testing
This method, unlike standard electrical testing and inspection, can be carried out with zero downtime. It can provide a vital documented
asset history for critical equipment over a period of time, alerting the client to any potential fault before it happens. This allows rectification
maintenance to be scheduled for the first available slot to ensure no loss of production.
The testing methods referred too can all be used currently in their own right, this methodology combines them in a systematic approach that can give an added level of security for a client that critical assets are being managed.
After preliminary asset evaluation with the client Exeltech Ltd produce a list of assets which require the service, be that machinery, process
equipment, backup systems, F&G systems, Safety systems, critical IT equipment, Labs etc. The discussion will be had as to the optimum time/date for each asset to be evaluated (Generally while the equipment is under average working load).
Engineers will then perform a series of tests listed below:
- Power analyser – this will record the working current of equipment under average load to gauge if the overcurrent protection device is still optimised. Over time this also gives a view of deterioration within current using equipment if values are seen to be increasing.
- Sensory inspection – The engineer will use sight, hearing and smell to evaluate all accessible parts of the circuit in question.
- Thermography – Thermal images will be taken of the circuit/equipment to record working temperatures and ensure they are within normal limits. This feature may be able to spot overheating due to overload, or loose connections before a problem arises.
- Ultrasound – Ultrasonic testing is used to detect arcing, tracking, and corona emissions which may lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
- Energised testing – Without disruption to services energised electrical testing can be carried out to record the earth fault loop impedances of the circuit. This will be verified against permitted maximum values from BS:7671:2018.
In summary, Non-Intrusive Maintenance is a safety net for your business. By inspecting and recording data, we can build a picture of critical assets over a time which will allow for better predictive and planned maintenance routines to be implemented. By no means is this a replacement for Electrical fixed wire testing; instead, this net is to catch the problems others cannot see.
Engineers will then perform a series of tests listed below:
- Power analyser – this will record the working current of equipment under average load to gauge if the overcurrent protection device is still optimised. Over time this also gives a view of deterioration within current using equipment if values are seen to be increasing.
- Sensory inspection – The engineer will use sight, hearing and smell to evaluate all accessible parts of the circuit in question.
- Thermography – Thermal images will be taken of the circuit/equipment to record working temperatures and ensure they are within normal limits. This feature may be able to spot overheating due to overload, or loose connections before a problem arises.
- Ultrasound – Ultrasonic testing is used to detect arcing, tracking, and corona emissions which may lead to a potentially dangerous situation.
- Energised testing – Without disruption to services energised electrical testing can be carried out to record the earth fault loop impedances of the circuit. This will be verified against permitted maximum values from BS:7671:2018.
In summary, Non-Intrusive Maintenance is a safety net for your business. By inspecting and recording data, we can build a picture of critical assets over a time which will allow for better predictive and planned maintenance routines to be implemented. By no means is this a replacement for Electrical fixed wire testing; instead, this net is to catch the problems others cannot see.