MyRemoteCare for data-driven condition-based maintenance

MyRemoteCare enables users and maintenance teams to continuously supervise circuit breaker condition and performance trends, and to constantly manage any warnings and faults. ABB service engineers are then able to suggest the right sort of maintenance at the best time for each asset by analysing the acquired data. This allows failures to be prevented as well as accurate planning of maintenance when it is needed, rather than relying only on purely schedule-based servicing activities.

MyRemoteCare acquires diagnostic information from many sources: intelligent electronic devices, smart circuit breakers, sensors and integrated diagnostic systems. When these devices are not available, ABB can provide MySiteCare: a universal circuit-breaker monitoring and diagnosis device.

The MySiteCare monitoring and diagnostic unit acquires various types of typical circuit breaker data and converts them into diagnostic information to assess its condition and allow maintenance work to be planned. One MySiteCare unit must be installed for each circuit breaker.

MySiteCare monitors the following variables:

• Operation of the mechanical part: opening and closing times, spring charging time, slipping and failed spring loading attempts, number of operations, idle time
• Remaining life estimation and contact wear
• Monitoring of temperature inside the circuit breaker compartment and the auxiliary voltage

MySiteCare implements predictive diagnostic algorithms and provides indications concerning the mechanical, electrical and operating conditions of the circuit breaker. MySiteCare has a user-friendly interface that displays faults by means of a traffic light: red, yellow and green. This signal indicates how serious the fault is and therefore the probability of failure or impaired reliability and safety of the monitored equipment.

When the circuit breaker is already in operation it is usual practice to inspect and/or service the device before installing MySiteCare for the purpose of:

• checking the state of the circuit-breaker and restoring, as far as possible, the original conditions
• preventing failures or impaired performance of the circuit breaker by replacing excessively worn components and by installing the specific upgrade kits for each circuit breaker
• assessing the real conditions of the circuit breaker so as to configure MySiteCare in the appropriate way

The installation of MySiteCare on each panel does not involve any changes to the circuit breaker, the protection relay or switchboard. MySiteCare comprises: the central unit with digital inputs, the current sensor that reads the trip current, and the RFID identification device.

Central unit: high impedance binary inputs monitor the circuit-breaker operations: energising of opening and closing coils, auxiliary contact (open/closed circuit-breaker status) and springs charged signal. These signals are easily derived from the existing terminal blocks in the low-voltage compartment. Auxiliary voltage is monitored because it affects the performance of the coils and spring-charging geared motor.

Current sensor: Hall-effect current sensor clipped to the secondary circuits of the current transformer inside the auxiliary compartment, enabling trip current to be measured.

RFID identification sensor: able to trace the presence and/or replacement of equipment in the switchgear. This means that circuit-breaker conditions are traced even when the breakers have been moved to other panels equipped with MySiteCare. The sensor is based on RFID wireless technology and comprises:

• TAG RFID (passive) able to store the univocal data of the circuit-breaker and estimate remaining life
• RFID transmitter installed in the circuit-breaker compartment, near the TAG

The RFID reader is also used to measure the temperature inside the medium-voltage compartment. The predictive diagnostic algorithms are configured by ABB's qualified technicians when the monitoring system is commissioned: the parameters concern the relevant circuit breaker and its operating status.

MyRemoteCare - remote monitoring of apparatus

ABB offers a simple service for remote display and analysis of the condition of the equipment installed to facilitate technical support and optimal maintenance planning. MyRemoteCare stores diagnostic information about the individual apparatus and uses it to generate reports and warning messages. In addition, it allows historical data to be analysed, thereby making it easier to detect typical deviations from standard behaviour over the years.

ABB service engineers analyse the diagnostic data of the circuit breakers in the remote mode and ensure that events are signalled. They also assess the causes and whether or not to take action in the short or long term.

Maintenance officers can consult the decisions and/or actions planned by ABB experts via the MyRemoteCare portal. The predictive maintenance tasks are performed by qualified ABB technicians.

The information processed by each MySiteCare diagnostic unit is transmitted via RS485 link to a concentrator (Gateway). The concentrator has a SIM card allowing the data to be transmitted to the ABB Data Centre via a cell phone network (2G/3G), through a secure private channel that is dedicated to the MyRemoteCare system only.

The frequency with which information is transmitted depends on the event and the concentrator sends an update to the system whenever an important change occurs. In the absence of important changes or events, the status of the installation is updated every 24 hours. In addition, MyRemoteCare has a system for frequently checking the connection to the installation, thereby ensuring a high degree of reliability and data quality.

ABB service specialists and maintenance officers can access the MyRemoteCare portal via the Internet to consult diagnostic information about circuit-breakers covered by the service. Only authorised personnel are allowed access to the portal. Access credentials are supplied when the service is activated.

For more information about MyRemoteCare and MySiteCare from ABB please visit www.abb.co.uk.