Temp-Pro’s temperature measurement devices can be customized to meet the dynamic needs of customers across many industrial environments—including the hydroelectric industry
Stators are a core component in hydroelectric power generation, facilitating the generation of energy from the spinning motion of the rotor. Measuring thermal shifts and other variable physical conditions is a job best served by industrial-level devices like those manufactured by Temp-Pro—the industry’s premier RTD generator, generator windings, and temperature measurement device provider.
By incorporating RTDs, thermocouples and other devices manufactured by Temp-Pro, equipment operators can ensure the protection of the mechanical elements of motors or generators utilized in dams and other hydropower plants. This can result in a reduction of risks associated with the operation of such equipment during peak demand periods.
Incorporating Temp-Pro’s temperature measurement devices also allows operators to monitor and react to any critical shifts in temperature, even when they are located in remote control centers outside of the physical location.
Actively monitoring thermal dynamics in and around equipment can help hydropower plant personnel prevent major maintenance, which can often be managed by replacing RTDs or thermocouples before they are likely to fail due to wear-and-tear from exposure to the incessant physical forces exerted on generator stator windings and related components.
Examples of these include deterioration due to voltage and winding current-related mechanical forces, which test the limits of hydroelectric equipment. Just like in other power generation plants, ensuring equipment availability allows the organization to remain productive and supplying uninterrupted power to communities and businesses.
The aging of hydro generators is intimately associated with the hotspot temperature of the stator windings groundwall insulation. Common resistive thermal detectors (RTD) installed in the machine are well–suited to monitor temperature changes and trends during normal operation—as long as temperature distribution is uniform—but are blind to some hotspots.
Most common failure instances for a generator take place at the stator core via degradation of the insulation, caused by excessive heat or mechanical wear. The continued breakdown of the insulation will eventually cause shorted turns or a ground between conductors and the field forgings.
Since hydro generators can cost millions of dollars to replace or repair—a sizeable capital investment that can hinder revenues—the downtime of the generator can be a catastrophic event for customers who may not be prepared to deal with such an unforeseen expense.
Ensuring that this standby power source is available can depend on small but powerful Resistance Temperature Detectors (RTDs), such as the ones we manufacture at Temp-Pro. Most often dual-element stator RTDs are used in the slots of the stator coil, where one of the elements is used as a backup in the infrequent instance that the other element should fail.
Temp-Pro RTDs are available in multiple configurations, such as Single Element stator winding RTDs, Dual Element stator winding RTDs and Dual Independent Element stator winding RTDs. We also offer three element materials, namely copper, platinum and mixed—depending on your specific needs. Other options for our RTDs include rear exit, side exit, custom holes and sizes, electrically conductive coatings, and dual sensors with different elements.
Contact Temp-Pro today to discuss your hydro generator RTD temperature sensor needs. Our customized product solutions can help you prevent a critical failure and ensure your hydro generators and related equipment remain available and in optimal performance for years to come.
Neal Messier is a dedicated sales manager at Temp-Pro. With 17+ years of experience working with instrumentation in diverse industrial and process industries particularly power generation, he is passionate about the temperature sensor industry and uses his strong technical background and comprehensive industry knowledge to fulfill client’s temperature sensor needs.
Nicole Chotain is a passionate marketing and sales specialist in the temperature sensor industry who finds it incredibly fulfilling to be involved in marketing and selling crucial components used in power generation and renewable energy. She takes great joy in creating remarkable campaigns, forging meaningful connections between Temp-Pro and its customers, and driving the growth of the brand.
