ENERGY SERVICES ENGINEERING TIL 1444-R1
PRODUCT SERVICE 18 AUGUST 2006
Compliance Category – A
Timing Code - 2
TECHNICAL INFORMATION LETTER
COLLECTOR SPRINGBACK ASSEMBLY MODIFICATION
APPLICATION
GE generator sets with individual brush box style collector brush assemblies.
PURPOSE
To inform users of the need for immediate inspection of the collector assembly and potential corrective action required.
REASON FOR REVISION
To update the Affected Units List.
Compliance Category
O - Optional Identifies changes that may be beneficial to some, but not necessarily all,
operators. Accomplishment is at customer's discretion.
M - Maintenance Identifies maintenance guidelines or best practices for reliable equipment
operation.
C - Compliance Required Identifies the need for action to correct a condition that, if left uncorrected,
may result in reduced equipment reliability or efficiency. Compliance may be
required within a specific operating time.
A – Alert Failure to comply with the TIL could result in equipment damage or facility
damage. Compliance is mandated within a specific operating time.
S – Safety Failure to comply with this TIL could result in personal injury. Compliance is
mandated within a specific operating time.
Timing Code
1 Prior to Unit Startup / Prior to Continued Operation (forced outage condition)
2 At First Opportunity (next shutdown)
3 Prior to Operation of Affected System
4 At First Exposure of Component
5 At Scheduled Component Part Repair or Replacement
6 Next Scheduled Outage
7 Optional
COPYRIGHT 2006 GE
The information published in this Technical Information Letter is offered to you by GE in consideration of its ongoing sales and service relationship
with your organization. However, since the operation of your plant involves many factors not within our knowledge, and since operation of the plant
is in your control and ultimate responsibility for its continuing successful operation rests with you, GE specifically disclaims any responsibility for
liability based on claims for damage of any type, i.e. direct, consequential or special that may be alleged to have been incurred as result of applying
this information regardless of whether it is claimed that GE is strictly liable, in breach of contract, in breach of warranty, negligent, or is in other
respects responsible for any alleged injury or damage sustained by your organization as a result of applying this information.
TIL 1444-R1
BACKGROUND DISCUSSION A flashover occurs when conductivity is lost between
the brushes and the collector ring. The conditions that
Generator collector brushes are part of the excitation
lead to flashover are progressive, causing the current
system used to provide electrical connection and
to be transferred by arcing across the gap until the gap
current flow path between the stationary excitation DC
becomes too large for the arc to be sustained. At this
power supply and the rotating generator field
point, flashover occurs resulting in serious damage to
windings. These carbon brushes are pressed against
the collector rings and brush rigging assembly.
the collector rings under uniform spring pressure as
part of the collector brush rigging assembly.
The roller and clip assembly (Figure 2) if installed
backwards can cause the collector brushes to hang up.
Recently, a generator experienced a collector flashover
If a brush hangs within its holders, it may lead to a
because the single brush holder assemblies were
flashover, which can be eliminated by routine
installed incorrectly. The roller clip that captures the
maintenance aimed at preserving a good brush
brush to the springback assembly was incorrectly
contact with the collector rings.
oriented on all the brushes (Figure 1). This prevented
the free movement of the brush and led to the Figure 3: Improperly Installed Clip
flashover.
Figure 1: Roller Clip Orientation Picture
RECOMMENDATIONS
The carbon brush has a pigtail and an attached During daily inspections of the collector assembly per
terminal. The terminal fits into a disconnect clip, which GEK 35474, GE recommends the user inspect all
is part of a back plate and coiled spring assembly. A springback assemblies for proper clip orientation. If any
roller and clip assembly is attached to the coiled spring. brushes are not correctly oriented, remove the affected
This coiled spring, on the top of the brush, holds the brush from service and re-assemble the clip as shown
brush against the collector ring and compensates for in Figure 2. Replacement parts that are not currently
brush wear. installed on the unit should also be inspected for
correct clip orientation and corrected prior to use.
Implementation of this TIL and proper preventative
maintenance of the collector brushes is essential in
avoiding unplanned outages and expensive repairs.
Figure 2: Clip Orientation Diagram
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TIL 1444-R1
PLANNING INFORMATION Previous Modifications
None
Compliance
• Compliance Category: A Scope of Work
• Timing Code: 2 Inspection recommendations and corrections can be
performed by plant maintenance personnel.
Manpower Skills
Contact your local GE I&FS Service Manager or
Plant Maintenance Personnel
Contract Performance Manager for assistance or for
additional information.
Parts
Brusholder Clips P/N 02025J99P0005 NOTE: If you would like to receive future TILs by email,
contact your local GE I&FS Service Manager or Contract
Special Tooling Performance Manager for assistance.
Insulted collector brush handle
Reference Documents
GEK 35474 “Brush Rigging and Collector Rings Turbine
Generators”
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TIL 1444-R1
TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD
Compliance with this TIL must be entered in local records. GE requests that the customer notify GE upon compliance of
this TIL.
Complete the following TIL Compliance Record and FAX it to:
TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)
TIL COMPLIANCE RECORD For Internal Records Only #
Site Name: Customer Name:
Customer Contact Information GE Contact Information
Contact Name: Contact Name:
Address: Address:
Email: Email:
Phone: Phone:
FAX: FAX:
Turbine Serial Number(s):
INSTALLED EQUIPMENT TIL Completed Date:
100% TIL Completed:
Description:
Unit Numbers: Part Description: Part Number MLI Number
Comments:
NOTE: If there are any redlined drawings that pertain to this TIL implementation, please FAX the drawings along with
this TIL Compliance Record.
FAX this form to: TIL Compliance
FAX: (678) 844-3451
Toll free FAX: 1-888-896-TILS (1-888-896-8457)
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TIL 1444-R1
USER SATISFACTION SURVEY
GE values your opinions and comments.
GE requests that you complete the User Satisfaction Survey below to help us better serve you with accurate and timely
information on your equipment.
Complete the following TIL Compliance Record and FAX it to:
TIL Survey
GE Product Service
FAX: (678) 844-6737
Toll free FAX: 1-866-604-2668
USER SATISFACTION SURVEY
Serial Number: Date:
1. How many days after TIL issue date did you receive this TIL?
1 - 5 days 6 - 10 days + 10 days
NOTE: If you would like to receive future TILs by email, contact your local GE Energy Services representative for assistance.
Rate the following based on a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 is Excellent and 5 is Poor.
2. Please rate how well this document informed you of the technical issue.
1 2 3 4 5
3. Please rate the overall effectiveness of this TIL.
1 2 3 4 5
Comments / Suggestions:
FAX this form to: TIL Survey
Product Service
FAX: (678) 844-6737
Toll free FAX: 1-866-604-2668
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