Condition Based Monitoring (CBM)

Sensei supports the use of and the collection of disparate data from assets at the substation.  Whether generation, transmission or distribution, if a utility deems the asset critical, Sensei has a method to gather that data, collect it, normalize it and use it to assist in managing for the Utility process.

‘Condition based monitoring’ is the process of monitoring a parameter of condition in machinery, such that a significant change is indicative of a developing failure. The use of conditional monitoring allows maintenance to be scheduled, or other actions to be taken to avoid the consequences of failure, before the failure occurs. – Wikipedia

Condition based monitoring (CBM) involves the use of various tools, both analytical and technical and has spawned many internal solutions for monitoring.  One of the most common tools that has evolved is the Criticality Index (CI.)  The CI is often used to determine the degree on condition based monitoring on a given machine, taking into account the purpose, redundancy (i.e. if the machine fails, is there a standby unit or alternative approach to take on the load or responsibility of the existing unit), cost of repair, downtime impacts, health, safety and environment issues and a number of other key factors.  The CI places all machines into one of three categories, which most utilities configure to their own considerations for maintenance and care of their assets:

· 1 – Critical Machinery – Units that are vital to the process and without which, the process cannot function.  Measurements such as load, pressures, temperatures, casing vibration, displacement and others are considered mandatory and are often used as feedback for managing trend data on the life of the unit.  Software is often used to analyze individual measures, and can be used with correlating data to determine health of the Critical Machinery.

· 2 – Essential Machinery – Units that are a key part of the process, but if there is a failure, the process still continues.  Redundant units (if available) fall into this realm.  Testing and control of these units is also essential to maintain alternative plans should Critical Machinery fail.

· 3 – General Purpose Machinery – The balance of units at the substation or field asset level.  Those that can fail and not affect the overall process or consideration for the success of the process.  These are normally monitored with either manual or routine methods, and data may or may not be critical to the overall process and solution selection criteria.

Using this approach creates the backbone for many maintenance and operational approaches for the utility at the Substation level.  Sensei Solutions uses the data from Critical Machinery to help the utility create a balanced plan of attack and to manage and maintain the assets that are absolutely necessary for the creation, transmission and distribution of electricity.