As utility and manufacturer expertise for replacing electric motors declines, tools such as EPRI’s end-of-life guidance can provide proven roadmaps for managing component replacement projects.

Industry expertise to replace large electric motors at nuclear power plants is diminishing due to fewer qualified vendors and equipment manufacturers, changes in materials, and smaller plant staffs. As plants consider power uprates and extended operation, optimum replacement/refurbishment times for such large capital assets must be determined to support long-term strategic planning.

Guidance for the Replacement of Large Electric Motors at Nuclear Power Plants, EPRI report 1020625, can assist project teams responsible for replacing an existing large motor with a replacement that is not identical. The guidance addresses scenarios where changes in the motor design or design basis are so significant that a plant design modification would be necessary. The report is not intended for use where replacement equivalency evaluation can be completed.

Photo courtesy of Entergy.

The information in the report applies to large electric motors with voltages greater than 600 V and power capacities greater than 200 horsepower. The level of detail is sufficient to assist less-experienced individuals serving in project manager roles and references existing EPRI research where applicable. For example, the guide contains a “Project Activities Template” that serves as a checklist for technical requirements and project deliverables. This template provides a proven roadmap of roles and responsibilities through project specification, manufacturer’s responsibilities, and licensee verifications.

The large electric motor replacement guide is another in a series of life-cycle management reports developed through EPRI’s Plant Support Engineering Program that enable operators to be “intelligent customers” when replacing major plant components in support of plant life extension. These reports provide proven approaches and practices for the project manager in such areas as component design, procurement specification, source surveillance, transportation, storage, installation, and testing and maintenance strategies. Replacement guides completed to date include feedwater heaters, large transformers, large plate heat exchangers, inverters and battery chargers.

For more information, contact Charlie Mengers at 484.431.8767 or cmengers@epri.com.