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Why Repair/Refurbish/Modify Older Transformers?
Repair/Refurbish/Modify or Replace. All of us occasionally face this
dilemma in our business.
The battle to reduce costs while maintaining production occupies much
of any business manager's time and effort. We, at Uptegraff, would like
to pass along a few cost-saving ideas that have been beneficial to many
of our customers. Failing, aging, or failed processing equipment can often
be put back into service rather than replaced.
On liquid immersed, single and three phase transformers, 500 kVA and
larger, aside from the cost savings compared with that of purchasing a new
replacement unit, additional peripheral benefits of repair/refurbishment/modification
are also gained. Please consider the following:
- Substation redesign engineering costs related to new unit design can
often be eliminated.
- Environmentally, reuse make sense. Still useful materials, such as
core, tank, etc. can be recycled instead of being scrapped.
- The time required to repair/refurbish/modify a unit is often less than
that to build a new unit.
- Rewound units carry the same warranty as that of a new unit.
Transformers are designed and manufactured for a typical life expectancy
of approximately 20 to 40 years. Our experience has shown that the majority
of transformer failures can be traced to the introduction of some foreign
matter (usually water) into the unit. It is imperative that the unit seal
be maintained. This requires periodic inspection/maintenance of gaskets,
weld integrity, paint integrity etc. - This task can be cumbersome for the
user that is not in the business of building transformers. Liquid filled
transformers are generally heavy, and require heavy equipment for disassembly.
Handling and temporary storage of the insulating fluid can also present
a unique problem. Being a new transformer manufacturer, the Uptegraff factory
is specifically equipped to handle units as large as 15mVA. Our familiarity
with transformer component suppliers makes accessory acquisition a snap.
Our intimate knowledge of national standards regarding construction and
test of transformers allows us to update your unit to current standards.
For a minimum cost, you can extend the life of your unit.
Please consider the following options:
These are only a few of the options available to you as the owner of
an older transformer. If you are interested in joining other company managers
who have found repairing, refurbishing, and/or modifying to be a real time
and money saver, the next time one of your units needs attention, give us
a call and an opportunity to quote this alternative.
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