DEVELOPMENT OF VIBRATION CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM APPLYING OPTICAL SENSORS FOR GENERATOR WINDING INTEGRITY OF POWER UTILITIES

This paper describes the vibration condition monitoring diagnosis system developed for stator and rotor winding integrity assessment of 100MW class gas turbine generator in combined-cycle thermal power plant. High reliability of windings is one of the most essential prerequisite for generators of power utilities. Assessing the condition of stator winding insulation systems requires objective information from condition monitoring system. In-service monitoring is essential if a power plant is following a condition-based maintenance strategy. Generator damages are caused by the high vibration and the power system instability by secondary impacts of an unannounced plant stop and the life of the generator is decreased. The mechanical vibration in generator is induced by both mechanical and magnetic forces. The vibration condition monitoring system is required for the improved savings of operation and maintenance cost in terms of reliability in power plant.