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Arc-Flash Boundary

Arc-flash boundaries are required around electrical equipment such as switchboards, panelboards, industrial control panels, motor control centers, and similar equipment when an individual works on or in the proximity of “exposed energized” (energized and not enclosed, shielded, covered, or otherwise protected from contact) components. This includes conducting activities such as examination, adjustment, servicing, maintenance or troubleshooting. Equipment energized below 240V need not be considered unless fed by a 112.5KVA transformer or larger.

Tip from John C. Klingler, P.E, Lewellyn presentation delivered at the Predictive Maintenance Technology Conference, Sept 05

Take our Infrared Surveying and NFPA 70E Survey (5 Minutes)

Combine Positive Pressure with Artificial Ultrasound

Checking large volumes for leaks is done by placing an ultrasound transmitter inside the test volume and then scanning the seal points (doors, windows, vents, etc…) with an ultrasonic receiver. Leaks are identified by an abrupt increase in ultrasound levels as the inspector passes over the seal area. Rubber seals and gaskets are leak culprits but their faults can be masked during static testing.

Applying a positive pressure inside the volume, in conjunction with the ultrasound transmitter, greatly increases the inspector’s chance of finding leaking seals and gaskets. The pressure gently plies on the seals shifting them away from their rest position and potentially exposing any faults that could affect their ability to tightly seal. For volumes such as clean rooms, where tightness is crucial, the inspection should be performed twice; once in conjunction with pressure, and then again without.

In the hands of a properly trained inspector this method can prove fast, efficient, and useful means of ensuring the tightness of virtually any neutral pressure volume.

This tip supplied by SDT North America
http://www.sdtnorthamerica.com
905-377-1313

Join the Ultrasound Applications Discussion Group

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Although SAP-PM offers many ways to collect good quality maintenance history, this functionality is rarely used effectively. Focusing on a few key areas can help to ensure maintenance history that you can use to improve the performance of your critical assets.

1. Develop a comprehensive equipment taxonomy that includes equipment categories, classes and types. Also make sure you have a complete set of catalog codes and technical characteristics that correspond to the different types of equipment.

2. Ensure that a correct equipment number and functional location is specified on notifications.

3. Try to avoid having one notification when multiple pieces of equipment are involved in a repair. Multiple notifications can be linked to the work order and thus will allow proper coding for each piece of equipment.

4. Create a “simple” rule for the use of the Breakdown Indicator and ensure that everyone knows when to select it.

5. Develop Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) based on SAP-PM history data and make the information highly visible. This will reinforce the importance of collecting the data in a consistent manner.

Tips provided by the Practical Reliability Group
http://www.practicalreliabilitygroup.com/eam.htm
540-966-6269

More SAP-PM Resources

Date: Wednesday May 31, 2006
Time: 11am EST (GMT-5)

With energy becoming a more visible issue, it is important to understand that many tools are available to help us as Reliability and Maintenance Professionals. The US Department of Energy has developed a set of tools that have an energy and R&M benefit that are available for free and represent a neutral set of recommendations.

As part of SUCCESS by DESIGN’s and ReliabilityWeb’s continuing efforts to educate the R&M professional on opportunities to improve value within their organization, we are presenting a one-hour free class on the US Department of Energy’s MotorMaster Plus software tool.

Prior to the training, information will be provided on how to download your copy of MotorMaster Plus or International MotorMaster. You do not have to be a USA citizen to attend this class online.

Your instructor will be Howard W Penrose, Ph.D, CMRP, who is a US DOE Certified MotorMaster Professional. Dr. Penrose has been involved in the development of many of the US DOE tools and materials since 1993, has been instructing classes on MotorMaster since 1994, and coordinated the 2000 industry-funded modifications of MotorMaster Plus to allow for Motor Diagnostic, Insulation to Ground and Vibration Analysis data entry for sorting out motors by condition for batch replacement.

Join us for this demonstration of the software tool, applications and time for questions and answers.

When weird or high resistive imbalance test results are obtained during offline motor testing from a motor control center, number one, make sure the rotor isn’t turning (especially fans because they like to turn in a back draft). Secondly, motor leads that are run in a ladder rack in close proximity to an active power feed may induce enough voltage to give you this false indication as well. Check for both before writing the work order to fix and or replace the motor by also testing at the motor junction box first to make sure the motor is okay.

Award winning tip provided by our good friend Jim Zuidema, Electrician, Alcoa, Bettendorf Iowa

Make Plans to see Jim’s Presentation at PdM-2006 - The Predictive Maintenance Technology Conference

THE SIX PRINCIPLES OF PLANNING

Principle #1

The first principle is to have a separate department. There is frequently significant pressure on the maintenance supervisor to get repairs completed. It is tempting to reassign a planner to a toolbox, saying, “One of those planners is a welder, he can come help us.” This situation is avoided by removing the planners from direct control of the maintenance crew. The reason they need to be separate is they need to focus on future work.

Tip written by Doc Palmer and provided by GenesisSolutions
http://www.genesissolutions.com
Tel: 203-431-0281

Leading Edge Planning & Scheduling article