A new service to improve the reliability and security of drive applications has been launched by ABB. DriveCare, provided by ABB’s channel partners in ABB Drives Alliance, is designed to prevent downtime and to minimise it when it does happen.
When a new drive is commissioned by an ABB Drives Alliance member, all the software parameters are backed up. These are then stored securely on a central database. In the event of plant failure, the parameters can be restored quickly and conveniently from the archive.
In case the drive is seriously damaged in an accident or fire, the parameters can be loaded into a new drive that can be working on site within hours. With the saved parameters, the new drive will work exactly as its predecessor from the initial set-up. No trial runs are necessary.
"DriveCare really gives users peace of mind for the future operation of their plant," says James Haigh, General Manager, Drive Products, at ABB. "When downtime strikes, the maintenance engineers frequently spend hours pouring over their records to recover the correct parameters to get the drive up and running again. Now, we will be keeping all that information on a database, ready to re-use when the customer calls, any time of day or night."
As well as having their drive parameters added to the database, users of DriveCare also get a laminated copy of the drive programme to keep. A sticker is attached to the drive, advising users where to turn in a breakdown situation. When the user calls his local ABB Drives Alliance partner, he will get a faster response as they already have all the details about his applications.
In addition, DriveCare encompasses a full range of spare parts for ABB drives. Engineers will carry diagnostic suitcases containing key components for drives that are part of the scheme, allowing them to get drives up and running with the minimum of delay. Existing drives at the site can also be added to the scheme.
A planned maintenance programme, called DriveCare+, is also available. Periodic visits are carried out to ensure that all connections are tight, that the ventilation is working and that the drive is free from dust and moisture. The parameters are checked against the original set-up to ensure they have not been tampered with. Spare drives in storage are powered up to ensure the capacitors are kept in peak condition.
When new drive features become available, the ABB Drives Alliance member will advise on how these could benefit the application. Older drives will be assessed for their impact on maintenance, reliability or space if necessary, they can be removed and recycled.
Technicians are on call at all times with access to the full stock of spares and replacement drives, providing support for critical drive applications around the clock.