Convert operational data into maintenance savings

Electrical protective relays contain a great deal of equipment condition monitoring data. Multiple systems are available to read this information for use in both operations and maintenance. This information can then be used to improve operation and maintenance efficiencies, such as: Reading key equipment data from the relay, and displaying or generating work instructions.; Reducing unscheduled downtime from equipment failures.; Improving maintenance effectiveness by working on equipment based on condition instead of on a time basis. Moving operations and maintenance from reactive to proactive activities lowers cost and improves efficiency. Selecting and converting the right information to timely work instructions can ease overall workload by focusing on activities that have the highest payback. Protective relays offer insight into operating characteristics, key equipment statuses, and maintenance indicators. Establishing communications channels between distributed control systems or maintenance work systems with existing protective relays provides vital information at little or no cost. This paper focuses on turning this existing relay information into scheduled work activities that achieve real cost savings.