“As late as possible, but as soon as needed”

A significant factor in achieving cost-effectiveness with machines and systems is the ability to utilize the performance capability of components to the optimum, and for as long a period of operation as possible. The reason why Murrelektronik places such value on its power supply components is that they can be replaced at the optimum point in time, “as late as possible, as soon as necessary”.

Anyone who uses a component right up to the end risks unscheduled periods of machine downtime. That person can certainly be sure of having used that component to its maximum extent. The resource involved, whether in terms of time or money, to get production restarted, is nothing to be pleased about. A more defensive procedure involves replacing equipment components at an early stage. At a time when they are quite definitely still running. That can be well organized, but the disadvantage is that resources are wasted.

The concept of predictive maintenance aims to find the 'middle way' between these two clearly defined variants. It attempts to extend service life for as long as possible while at the same time not causing unscheduled machine downtime to occur - and it is therefore, at the end of the day, the most cost-effective way to utilize components.

One practical example is the Emparro67 Hybrid switching power supply component for use in industrial applications (protection class IP67). The device provides a vast array of diagnostic data that can be interrogated in a straightforward manner via in IO link interface. This device monitors current and voltage, overload, temperature, short circuits and the number of starts performed. In this way, it makes a forecast of its remaining service life.

The Emparro 3~ 40A switching power supply component also monitors data such as temperature, the number of starts performed, utilization and the service life of components. Whenever a limit value is exceeded, the device using a signal contact to report a warning. This in turn means that a replacement can be scheduled for the next service interval.