Remote services suite supports variable-speed drives

Should a fault be detected within a drive, the ABB Ability Remote Assistance service ensures that a specialist provides rapid support by using the drive's operational performance data, which is available remotely via the ABB Ability platform. By sending an immediate email alert to the user, the service provides fast fault identification, round-the-clock, thereby leading to reduced downtime.

Depending on the end-user's support agreement, a remotely located ABB engineer offers telephone support so that the process can be restarted quickly. After gaining access to the drive's remotely stored operating parameters, the ABB engineer can then talk to the user, wherever they are in the world, offering support to bring the drive back into operation. If the fault cannot be resolved remotely, a local ABB engineer can be dispatched to assist on-site.

During a pilot test of the ABB Ability Remote Assistance at the SSAB steel factory in Finland, an alarm on the critical coke elevator was noticed by ABB personnel. Acting quickly, both remotely and on-site, the combined SSAB and ABB teams successfully worked together to help the mill's coking plant avoid a possible breakdown.

ABB Ability Condition Monitoring for drives delivers accurate, real-time information about drive events to ensure that an application remains available, reliable and maintainable. It is a service that assists with maintenance planning and reduces the risk of unplanned downtime.

Users get access to a secured portal where all the live drive data is continuously collected and monitored, so users can check availability, condition metrics and parameter values. This provides visualised real-time data about a drive's performance using visual indicators, access to condition history of the device and immediate notification about any anomalies.

Users can get feedback from ABB experts via reports that offer health recommendations. It also provides proactive alerts which can be sent via email. Stuart Melling, UK business unit manager for ABB's drive activities, says: "This cloud-based service is a huge step towards information-based maintenance planning."

By combining the end-user's process know-how with analysis and recommendations by ABB professionals, the service reduces the risk of unexpected downtime by anticipating possible faults, operational issues and maintenance needs. By monitoring aspects of the application important to the end-users, equipment will perform better and last longer - culminating in higher productivity. Stuart Melling adds: "With ABB Ability Conditioning Monitoring for drives you are always one step ahead and know what is happening with your equipment at any moment. When you have all of the facts, you can make the right decisions."

To learn more about ABB's cloud-based remote services for drives go to www.abb.co.uk.