Why preventive maintenance is always economical than diaster management can be seen from a simple statistics.
Suppose one 400 kV line transmitting 250 MW of load goes under breakdown for about 10 hrs and there is no possibility of load deviation, what would be the energy loss, revenue loss and national wealth loss?
250000 KW x 10 hrs. = 2500000 KWH
i.e. loss of 25 Lakhs of units
Considering rate of Rs. 4/- per unit the revenue loss works out
to RS 100 Lakhs i.e. Rs.1 Crore
This is just revenue loss of the electric supply company but considering industrial production loss, agricultural production loss and loss due to commercial and residential activities. The national loss of wealth would be about 10 times the revenue loss, which works out of to the tune of RS 10 Crores apart from dissatisfaction of consumers due to inconvenience, and expenditure in attending breakdowns at unexpected time.
Thus a small expenditure on thermography can avoid 100 times the revenue loss and makes the system interruption free.
We all know that ‘A stitch in time saves nine’ hence I propose all the honourable engineers and authorities of the electrical generation, transmission and distribution system to make thermo graphic analysis of the electrical system and reduce the breakdowns which gives warning bell, pin pointing the ‘HOT SPOTS,’ enabling them for preventive maintenance, attending immediate attention.
Some sample thermal images and reports generated by M/s. Ramelex Pvt. LTD Pune while executing thermography of 400 kV lines & substations are displayed herewith for idea of clarity.
