This MSc module aims to develop in the student/delegate the ability to evaluate, in a given situation, the most appropriate electrical condition monitoring strategy to be used and to understand its relative merits with respect to other approaches. A wide range of electrical condition monitoring techniques will be studied and their data critically analysed towards a determination of the condition of different electrical plant items.

Learning Outcomes involve:

- Evaluate, for a given situation, the measurable phenomena appropriate to a condition monitoring strategy.
- Evaluate, for a given situation, the most appropriate measurable phenomena towards the determination of the condition of a given plant item.
- Evaluate, for a given situation, the most appropriate measurement technique to a given form of measurable phenomenon.
- Evaluate, for a given situation, the data from a measurement technique for objectivity and reliability.
- Critically analyse data toward the determination of the condition of a given electrical plant item.

Teaching/Learning Strategy:

Study pack, study area in laboratory, demonstrations, exercises, directed studies, research presentations, lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Syllabus:

The teaching syllabus will cover the following areas:

Measurable Phenomena from different Plant Items:
Measurable phenomena associated with degradation from a range of plant items including motors/generators, transformers, cables, bushings, connectors, capacitors and circuit breakers. Measurable phenomena will include emission of light, heat, sound, elecromagnetic radiation, physical/ chemical changes and electrical changes.

Measurement Strategies and Technologies:
A wide range of strategies and associated technologies will be discussed including light emission (photo multipliers, fibre-optic techniques, etc.), heat emission (IR cameras, direct temperature measurement, etc), sound emission (piezoelectic transducers, microphones, etc.), physical/chemical changes (resistivity/conductivity, HPLC, DGA, IR and UV spectroscopy, etc.), electrical changes (tan, electrical partical decharge, etc.).

Data Processing and Analysis:
For each of the approaches, options with respect to data processing and analysis will be discussed including digital signal processing techniques and computational techniques. Close attention will be paid through examples of the cost benefit and the reliability which can be placed on data with respect to formulating a view on the condition of a given item of plant.

Indicative Reading

Given the dynamic nature of the syllabus content, no books are prescribed or recommended. However, teaching and directed study will be learned via journal and conference publications in the broad area of electrical/electronic condition monitoring.

Transferable Skills

Development of higher level cognitive skills including analysing and synthesising skills.
Development of higher level communicative skills.

This MSc module: Electrical Conditioning Monitoring course is taught over one week and consists of intensive lectures, laboratories, seminars and case studies. A further 2 weeks is left for self study. The assessment consists of a final exam plus coursework, with a 70% and 30% weighting respectively.

The course is held at a Scottish University and is worth 15 credit points. It can be taken on its own merit as CPD (continuous professional development) or towards a PgC or PgD in Maintenance Management or as in most cases a MSc in Maintenance Management.

This MSc module: Electrical Conditioning Monitoring course is suitable for students/delegates who possess at least a degree in a engineering discipline. A-1 Technical Training, logis-Tech Associates provide added tuitional support to all attendees in this module for a small fee.

The next in-take to the MSc in Maintenance Management is September 2005 - numbers are limited. For more details on the MSc in Maintenance Management, please complete the request for information form or email hugo@logis-tech.co.uk.