Historically Maintenance Delivery Electricitys (MDE) staff have used a spring balance and piece of nylon line to determine the spring pressure on any single contact in a series of up to 25 contacts. The nylon line was attached to the contact and the spring balance to the line on pulling the balance a reading was taken. This has led to inconsistencies in the measured values obtained over the years. With this method it was also very difficult to build up a historical data base on the condition of springs with a view of determining any gradual degradation in the condition of the spring’s strength.

Objectives

The project will deliver the ability to measure accurately and consistently both the opening and closing spring pressures on Transformer Tapchangers. To allow ENI and asset policy build a clear picture of the condition of tapchanger spring contacts.