PM Task Report12/29/2010Component Type:Fluid Drive - Scoop Tube TypeTask Name:ThermographyCriticalityCriticalMinorDuty CycleHighLowHighLowHighLowHighLowService ConditionsSevereMildSevereMildCHSCLSCHMCLMMHSMLSMHMMLM6M6M6M6M1YAR1YARTask ObjectiveThermography focuses on the discovery of indications of bearing and coupling wear, and other degraded conditions before they can affect the fluid drive's availability.The recommended task interval is not strongly supported by the failure mechanism data.Task ContentThermography may be used to assist in the discovery of the following degradation conditions:- Excessive wear of the Connection Couplings (gear type)- Oil cooler pluggage- Oil heater failure or coking, especially during cold weather operation. It may be possible to turn-on the heater by adjusting the oil heater thermostat which will also test the thermostat's operability. Care should be taken not to leave the system too long in this condition. Be sure to restore the thermostat to its original and proper setting.- If the Housing Mounted Auxiliary Oil Pump and Motor can be run at the time of the scan, it may be possible to discern: Motor winding degradation and Worn pump and motor bearingsPrinciple Failure Location And Causes:Thermography should provide information that will help determine failures of the oil heater system, wear of connection couplings, and a plugged oil cooler.Progression Of Degradation In Time:Depending on the existence of a separate failure condition, the failure mechanisms uncovered by thermography could occur within as few as 5 - 24 months; for example, worn connection couplings due to lack of lubrication or misalignment, or a failing oil heater and/or oil cooler due to contaminated oil. All other degradation mechanisms detected by thermography developing due to age or normal wear do not usually begin to appear until after 8 years and as many as 20 years.Support For The Task Interval And Relation To Other Tasks:Because thermography can detect the onset of conditional failures which result from the persistence of a previously undetected sub-component failure, the recommended interval should be followed.EPRI PM Basis Database - PM Program ReportPage 1 of 1