EEEngineering, LLC’s Post

We, electrical power engineers, have a terrible habit of failing to properly conduct root cause failure analysis. When you are sick, the root cause is not the headache but the fever. We should learn from medical doctors that symptoms are not root causes.   A high-value motor or generator is damaged: The shop analyzes it and reports the result: windings insulation. deterioration.   We use that information to close the investigation with the root cause identified as windings insulation deterioration. Sometimes, we attribute that deterioration to manufacturer defects.   What we don't usually check:   The operating conditions of the motor over the past 6 months, 12 months, 2 years, etc..   2- What about the electrical faults that occurred in the past? Was the motor protected adequately to prevent accelerated degradation of the windings?   We promptly identify issues with the equipment because it is what we are designed to do.   We are programmed to focus on symptoms, and unfortunately, we often fail to realize that the root cause is not the manufacturer's defect, it is not the workmanship, and it is not the GE/SEL relays' malfunction.   The root cause is not the equipment, but:   1- Our electrical process   2- Our protection scheme   3- Our flawed electrical studies   Unfortunately, the equipment is returned from the shop; we install it and then inform our boss that the equipment is back in service. What do you think will happen?   A few months later, another incident. Guess what? Now we're going to blame it on the shop repair. Shake my head Thierry Julio Epassa- P.E. in Thirteen USA States #engineering #electricalengineering #epassa #electrical