OBSOLESCENCE
How do users of ageing
electrical plant know that
they’ve got a problem?
• It stopped working.
• It still works but
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something is obviously not right.
• ‘There aren’t many of that type around
elsewhere.’
Installation and commissioning of
replacement equipment can be a
nightmare, especially in COVID times.
But in normal times it is bad enough.
Aside from quality control of the actual
installation, possible problem areas
include access, production rescheduling,
sta training, spares holdings, oor space
footprint mismatches, delivery delays and
documentation.
It is small wonder that, when capital
costs are also factored in, it often seems
attractive to just stick with whatever is
on site and keep it running longer. But
for how long? What are the limits for
particular types of equipment? What are
the failure mechanisms? What could make
lKigeheptsin ogn thaen d tthuern winhgeels EEMUA 227, Management of ageing electrical assets, is new
guidance from the Engineering Equipment and Materials Users
Association aimed at providing electrical engineers with a
coherent, proactive system for managing ageing electrical
assets. EEMUA technical executive Edward Kessler introduces it
40 www.operationsengineer.org.uk Winter 2021
/www.operationsengineer.org.uk