Shock Indicator/Impact Recorder for Transformer Shipping, Which of them works best for me?

Discover the best fit for shipping transformers among Shock Data Loggers/Shock Indicator. When it comes to safeguarding your products or equipment during transit or deployment, selecting the right monitoring device is critical. Any excessive shock or vibration might cause transformers to malfunction. Shipped with a shock and impact monitoring device which allows inspectors to conduct more comprehensive examinations of delivered equipment upon receiving an alert. This not only saves time and money but also fosters increased trust between the involved parties.

Effects of Mechanical Shock and Vibration on Shipping Transformers In Transit

Typically dependable, power transformers become vulnerable to catastrophic effects when faults arise. If subjected to mechanical shocks exceeding recommended "G" levels during transportation, these damages might occur:

• Displacement or distortion of windings/core.
• Abrasion of insulation between turns due to active part movement, potentially leading to short circuits and winding damage during operation.
• Loss of clamping pressure in windings due to mechanical vibrations, eventually resulting in winding collapse during electrical faults.
• Compromise in the safe clearance between the tank and active parts.

Vibration can cause the following damages:

• Loosening of components
• Metal hardening
• Formation of microcracks

Based on currently commonly used transportation statistics, key issues can be summarized as follows:

Visible Damage: Resulting in on-site or factory repairs.

Concealed Damage: Leading to out-of-warranty failures.

• Loading, Unloading, and Rigging: While these events occur infrequently, they possess the potential for high-impact occurrences (such as lifting gear failure or a dropped transformer).

• Impacts Onboard a Trailer: Transformers endure impacts along the longitudinal axis during braking operations and face vertical and lateral shocks due to road conditions.

• Impacts Onboard a Ship: The movement of rolling, pitching, and yawing results in low-frequency vibrations occurring at regular intervals.

• Impacts Onboard Rail: Transformers are subject to impacts along the longitudinal axis during shunting operations and vertical shocks due to rail joints.

Tips for Shipping Transformers W/ Impact Recorder for Transformer

If a transformer malfunctions at an established site, its replacement is urgent. In new facilities or substations, deliveries must adhere strictly to the schedule to prevent disruptions to ongoing construction work.

These valuable items require transportation along secure, dependable, and swift routes. Any delay is simply unacceptable.

However, transportation methods should also facilitate the cost-effective delivery of energy to consumers. Implementing smart pathfinding techniques, such as utilizing water routes until the final stretch or choosing paths that bypass significant obstacles, contributes to reducing overall project expenses.

Shipping Precautions

1. Design Transformers to endure expected shipping forces.
2. Clearly specify the FOB (Free On Board) site or foundation in the supply contract to avoid accidents during Transformer shifting.
3. Choose impact recorders that provide waveform data and adhere to DIN EN 13011 frequency analysis standards for power Transformers. Set them according to Transformer NOSS (Number of Shock Sensors); mount them on a rigid location as low as possible. Following IEEE guidelines PC57.150, use two recorders per Transformer, mounted at diagonally opposite positions to prevent data loss due to recorder failure.
4. Transformer manufacturers should consider:
5. Conducting capacitance measurements, FRA (Frequency Response Analysis) on the HV (High Voltage) side, and Earth to Winding Capacitance tests for site comparison.
6. Performing loss measurements on each tap to ensure proper tap connections.
7. Implement increased internal bracing between the tank and active part frame.
8. Provide additional support for the core from the frame.
9. Place desiccant inside the tank to maintain dryness.
10. Enhance shipping systems:
11. Use special damping dunnage between Transformer and bracing.
12. Utilize proper lashing techniques, referring to IMO lashing codes or AAR lashing guidelines. A diagram displaying a good cross lashing arrangement is recommended.
13. Include at least one dry air bottle with the shipment.

Transportation Restrictions

Consult the logistics company or rigger for the following transportation restrictions:

1. Consider SRT (Static Roll Threshold) for reducing overturning risks. Refer to local guidelines, especially when shipping to New Zealand.
2. Ensure proper axle load distribution.
3. Adhere to trailer manufacturer guidelines for brake force distribution between tractor and trailer.
4. Maintain an appropriate ratio between the gross mass of the trailer and tractor.
5. Avoid roads with visibility less than 500 meters due to fog, heavy rain, hail, or similar factors.
6. Adhere to local transportation regulations; use hydraulic trailers for large power Transformers.
7. Conduct an actual survey of the planned route.
8. Obtain necessary permissions for traveling on specific roads or highways.

Enhancing Transformer Shipment Security with Impact Recorders and Impact Indicators

Impact recorders are essential devices designed to measure accelerations across three axes within a recommended range of 0g to 10g. Exceeding the prescribed design criteria in any axis during impacts may result in potential damage. For instance, impacts surpassing 5g along the longitudinal axis and occurring between 2-20 Hz can be classified as rough handling, depending on the design criteria.

What is impact recorder for transformer?

A shock data logger or impact recorder for transformer is a device designed to independently record shocks or vibrations during a specific timeframe. Typically, it captures digital data in terms of acceleration and time. These recorders, known as impact or shock recorders, function to log shock values and their timestamps. They find application in monitoring shipments, especially those involving transformers, where concealed damage is a significant concern. The objectives of employing impact recorders for monitoring transformers are:

1. Identifying any shocks that might cause concealed damage.
2. Providing data to support insurance claims, as these recorders document the timing of impacts that could lead to damage. Modern loggers also enable remote location tracking and data monitoring.
3. Minimizing warranty claims arising from potential shock-induced damage during transportation, which often goes unnoticed as concealed damage. Although transit insurance should cover this, transformer manufacturers may bear the cost under warranty due to the lack of proper impact recorder usage.
4. Utilizing accumulated data over time to empirically determine transformer fragility or enhance transformer designs.
5. Serving as the primary assessment tool to decide whether more expensive tests, such as Frequency Response Analysis (FRA), should be conducted on-site or not.

In addition to using Impact recorders, manufacturers also use multiple single-use impact indicators to conduct cost-effective transportation monitoring and testing. MFGs scale to it when supply chains become stable, since an impact recorder costs approximately US$1,000 to US$20,000, using multiple impact indicators only costs less than US$50, so it is favored by most manufacturers.

What is Single-Use Impact Indicator?

Impact Indicators, a.k.a. shock indicator or shock detector, show when delicate items might have faced potential damage while being transported or stored. They're tamper-proof, mechanical devices that turn a bright red upon experiencing an impact.

Each impact indicator detects a certain G-level threshold, different from an impact recorder records an accurate g level, however, 5G is the most popular to transformers as it indicates potential damage.

Utilizing Impact Indicator 2 for Transformer Shipping

1. Precision Monitoring: Impact Indicator 2 offers precise monitoring capabilities, ensuring the detection of critical shocks or vibrations that may jeopardize the integrity of transformers during transit. Its advanced sensors and responsive nature enable real-time alerts, allowing immediate action to prevent potential damages.

2. Enhancing Reliability: By incorporating Impact Indicator 2 into the shipping process, manufacturers ensure increased reliability in detecting impacts beyond recommended thresholds. This significantly reduces the risks associated with concealed damages, which could lead to substantial operational disruptions and additional costs.

3. Complementary Role: Impact Indicator 2 works in harmony with other monitoring systems, providing supplementary insights that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of transportation conditions. When paired with impact recorders, it offers both immediate visual cues and detailed data for comprehensive assessments.

4. Cost-Effective Solution: Impact Indicator 2 emerges as a cost-effective solution in comparison to traditional impact recorders. Its affordability allows manufacturers to deploy multiple indicators strategically across shipments, ensuring a widespread monitoring network without inflating expenses.

5. Trusted Visual Indication: The tamper-proof and visually striking nature of Impact Indicator 2, turning bright red upon experiencing an impact, offers an unmistakable sign of potential damage. This visible indication aids inspectors in quickly identifying and examining affected areas, facilitating prompt action.

6. Building Trust and Accountability: By adopting Impact Indicator 2, manufacturers and stakeholders in the supply chain showcase their commitment to secure and accountable shipping practices. This fosters trust between involved parties, ensuring mutual confidence in the reliability of the shipping process.

Looking to safeguard your transformers during shipping? Find the ideal solution between Shock Data Loggers and Shock Indicators with Impact Indicator 2. Ensure your products are secure by choosing the right monitoring device. Don't risk malfunctions due to excessive shock or vibration during transit. Selecting the proper impact monitor saves time, money, and builds trust between parties.

Invest wisely in your shipping process—opt for Impact Indicator 2 today!