ELECTRICAL HEALTH & INSULATION
INVISIBLE DEGRADATION
HIGH VOLTAGE ALERTGenerator windings (6.6-11kV) degrade invisibly. Insulation breakdown causes "Slot Discharge" and total winding failure. A stator rewind costs >$100,000 and months of catastrophic downtime.
CORONA DETECTION
OZONE SMELL AUDIT
Detect sharp, chlorine-like smell at air exits when unit is at >70% load. Indicates active high-voltage discharge.
WHITE POWDER FORMATION
Visual grey/white residue in winding slots is a byproduct of resin breakdown by ozone (Bushing Corona).
THERMAL BUDGET
| Class | Cont. Max | Hot Spot |
|---|---|---|
| Class B | 130°C | 145°C |
| Class F | 155°C | 170°C |
Typically, 1.3MW units use Class F insulation. Normal operating rise should remain ~110°C.
INTERLOCK: HEATER & BREAKER
Anti-condensation heaters MUST activate within 5s of Main Breaker opening. 48h shutdown in tropical humidity without heaters = insulation drop from 100MΩ to <1MΩ (DANGER).