Generators are no different to any other piece of machinery in that they output heat during normal operation. This is normal within certain limits and is to be expected. Still, when temperatures start to rise beyond their normal range, this can be an early indicator of issues that warrant prompt generator maintenance.
Regular generator maintenance is key to keeping generators operating efficiently and reliably, but when this particular problem persists, there may be something else that you are missing. For these situations, it is best to consider using routine thermal imaging when maintaining your power generation devices.
1. Zero downtime
Thermal imaging is among the few diagnostic techniques that allow for a closer inspection of a generator’s load generation efficiency and capacity without needing to power it down first. This means zero costly downtimes while allowing operators to identify the root cause of potential issues affecting the power generation system.
2. Pinpoints problems with great accuracy
In normal transfer switch maintenance, routine thermal imaging can be incredibly useful. Suppose a machine is malfunctioning in some way and is producing too much heat than normal. In that case, an inspection using thermal imaging can pinpoint exactly where the potential or actual failure is. If it is one of the components or connection points, thermal imaging can detect temperature variances with high accuracy and locate all possible problem areas.
It can accomplish all this without needing a physical inspection, which requires the system to power down. This matters since taking the system offline come at significant risk, given that the sole purpose of generators is always to be ready to provide power in an emergency. And if problems persist to the point that temperatures continue to rise beyond the machine’s limits, the whole system may become unusable when it is needed the most.
3. Allows for quick intervention before failure occurs
By detecting where potential problems lie in the generator, thermal imaging facilitates quick resolution before negatively impacting the machine’s performance. Thermographic camera tools can often spot even the slightest temperature changes long before visible signs of trouble become noticeable. Operators will thus have ample time to come up with a fix and prevent the problem from worsening. Thus, when your power generation system starts running hotter than usual, thermal imaging can easily identify the source of the issue to avoid unnecessary downtimes and ensure its reliability.
Conclusion
The infrequent use of generators can cause all sorts of problems to develop within them. Regular maintenance works to uncover these potential issues and ensure they do not become a bigger problem and risk costly mechanical failure. However, some problems, such as increasing operational temperatures, may persist despite regular maintenance.
Thermal imaging can better detect these difficult problems, making them essential to any generator maintenance routine. It preserves business continuity by catching more hidden issues early on while they are still relatively easy to fix. This parallels the saying “prevention is better than a cure”, and so by addressing the visible and invisible problems in your generators before they cause a breakdown, you can avoid expensive repair costs down the line. It is also important to be aware of the specific generator safety measures.
It is highly advisable to find expert guidance from mechanical and electrical engineering experts who can ensure generator maintenance and can perform services such as electric motor rewinds.