WEgrid Solutions is committed to perfect the protection of people, machinery and the environment in the power transmission industry. A significant step in this mission is the digitalisation of switchgear monitoring. Whether medium or high voltage, SF6 or air insulated, we support operators in their digital transformation. We offer intelligent overall solutions to our customers. Over 40 years of experience in the energy industry and an innovation-driven expert team are our tools for this turnkey concept.
Online monitoring of the insulating gas, partial discharge and conductor temperature in your switchgear is the core of WEgrid Asset Protection. Our highly modern sensors constantly communicate with a data centre which analyses the transmitted values and alerts you if a critical threshold is crossed. Our intelligent system gets to know your plant. With the aid of specially developed algorithms, trends are then calculated from the measured data. This enables you to take a look into the future and shift from a reactive to a proactive maintenance strategy.
Root causes for failure
SF6 leakages
Aging O-rings and contaminated or damaged surface seals in switchgear are considered the most common causes of leakage. Emitted SF6 gas not only affects the atmosphere: the loss reduces the insulating and extinguishing properties of the remaining gas. Continued leakage ultimately leads to plant and power failure, and possibly damage to subsequent assets.
Humidity
Humidity entering the gas compartment significantly reduces the quality of the SF6. The causes are mainly permeation (e.g. through seals or rubber hoses), leakage and improper gas handling. Humidity in SF6 gas has serious consequences for its protective properties.
Decomposition products
In the presence of humidity in the SF6 gas, undesirable decomposition products can form during switching operations. These lower the insulating and extinguishing properties of the gas and are harmful to the switchgear and maintenance personnel.
Monitored values to prevent failures
Pressure
Temperature
Density
Humidity
Root causes for failures
Dust
Contamination
Contact resistance
Overload
Monitored values to prevent failures
Temperature
Overheating at the critical connection points in the switchgear indicates increasing electrical losses. When continuously monitored, it is a perfect proactive indicator which can thus be used to plan a maintenance intervention – or to adapt load.
Humidity
Humidity, which can turn into water droplets depending on the air temperature inside the switchgear, combined with dust and dirt on isolated surfaces, will result in partial discharges or direct insulation failures.
Partial discharges
Partial discharge activity is an early warning and insight into developing insulation or contact problems (e.g. floating electrode). Arc flash explosions due to these problems can thus be avoided.
24/7 monitoring of temperature, humidity and partial discharges will give full visibility into the actual health condition of the assets, avoiding both huge damages and injuries to workers.
Your benefits of online monitoring of insulating parameters
Automatic alarms
Alarms are triggered immediately as soon as critical values are detected, in order to start automated or any human intervention to prevent failure situations.
Early detection
Based on a condition monitoring and predictive algorithms critical situations of switchgear can be identified before they occur.
Diagnostics
A continuous database of measured values enables you to identify the source of malfunctions by using diagnostics and remote monitoring algorithms.
Reduced risk of power outages
Permanent monitoring of the switchgear enables potentially critical conditions to be detected earlier than with conventional maintenance and switchgear monitoring.
Automated documentation
Measured values, such as SF6 balances, are automatically provided in a summary format, facilitating the required reporting to authorities.
Communication
In case of an alarm or event the necessary personnel are informed automatically and all information is available at a glance.
Avoidance of manual failures
SF6 leakages or partial discharges are detected at an early stage so that countermeasures can be taken immediately, while eliminating human error in the collection of reporting data.
Utilisation of manpower
Optimise your existing staff efficiency by reducing low-value tasks such as manual PD measurement or density readings.
Time savings
Maintenance activities such as refilling SF6 gas or cleaning the switchgear can be planned in advance, thus reducing the costs of unplanned emergency maintenance.
Contact
Start your IIoT journey today and get contacted by our WEgrid IIoT consultants:
Turnkey solutions - suitable for your application
Whether a complete digital monitoring system - from sensor to cloud dashboard, or suitable system modules for local integration: WIKA plans, produces, delivers and installs the solution that is right for you. All our solutions are modular and customised for you.
