Integrated maintenance features of hydro generator excitation system

Excitation system is one of the most maintenance intensive subsystems in hydro power plants. The maintenance computerization of the excitation system is studied. A knowledge bank, which summarizes both the expert knowledge and the analytical knowledge on the failure modes and their manifestations as well as their effects, is established. An expert system is developed to optimize the control parameters, to detect and diagnose the equipment degradations or/and failures, and to give both control and maintenance remedy on base of the on-line state monitoring and performance evaluation of the regulating system. This expert system is integrated into the powerful microcomputer of the regulator and runs in parallel with the regular regulating tasks. A successful application in industry is presented.