Full support for refurbished or partially rebuild equipment
A query often asked by buyers (or users) goes reasonably as follows:
‘Why use refurbished or partially rebuilt equipment, thereby continuing old technology?
Surely newly designed & manufactured equipment would be more suitable?’ Fair questions & for many new prestige projects the answer would be affirmative. However there are still many situations, taking fitness for purpose & reliability as paramount considerations, and where particular oil filled equipment is already installed,risk assessment(s) in place and maintenance routines well understood & established that the older equipment will perform the required function and the client can save money.
Historically, in the UK, much equipment purchased and installed by the Public Utilities in the past – C E G B, Scottish Electricity & Area Boards – was fully maintained and underutilized.
An example : a standard pattern distribution transformer recently acquired, 1000kva, produced 40 years ago by a well known manufacturer located in the east midlands on examination is in pristine condition, virtually no insulation deterioration or loss of life – ready to work for another 20 – 30 years if needed.
Yes the no load loss may have increased slightly but losses are still comparable with modern ‘standard loss’ units & the physical design, particularly HV disc coils (NOT a usual feature with modern units of same rating due to cost) make it inherently mechanically strong. This coupled with an attractive price saving compared to a new unit fulfills a market need particularly if req’d for relatively short time usage. Such units carry a 2 year warranty demonstrating our company’s confidence in these selected items.
Likewise with Switchgear – users with existing sets or suites of oil filled equipment having a long & reliable pedigree of satisfactory operation find the availability of similar/identical equipment attractive. Said equipment(s) are factory checked to original manufacture specifications and items replaced with original manufacturer approved parts if needed (eg current breaking contacts). Back in time it was assumed that ALL refurbishment of oil switchgear would have ceased by the year 2000. In 2008 quantity may have reduced but definite demand still exists & will probably continue unless finally ended by specific dictate from Europe.
Still concerned ? Yes – the Coy does also regularly scrap transformers and switchgear where existing condition does not meet the defined criteria set by the Coy for reliable re use and recovery is un economic. So the Coy advocates the continuing use of equipment where it can be demonstrated it is STILL fit for purpose and norms arising from current legislation and safety can be satisfied.
Why simply destroy every item of existing resource simply to feed the expanding need for scrap metal in China ?
bob bennett.