VARIOUS TYPES OF FAULTS IN

TURBINE, GENERATOR &

AUXILLIARIES

TYPES OF FAULTS
MINOR

FAULTS

It is defined as a fault
that will make the
equipment unserviceable
but for a short period of
time without causing any
material damage or major
item replacement / repairs.

MAJOR

FAULTS

A major fault will

cause the equipment to be
non-operational for an
indefinite period of time
and will need extensive
repair with their
associated costs.

Most equipment generally do

give forewarning of failures.Such
forewarnings may be in terms of
change in one or more operational
parameters. Signs of failure can be
detected only by following the
appropriate
procedure.
Periodic recording of operational
parameters is a must to supervise
the equipment adequately.

COMMON CAUSES OF FAULTS

The

faults can most often be eliminated or minimized if the

agents / conditions causing these faults are controlled or
removed altogether. Most faults are caused due to at least one
of the following:
HUMIDITY
DUST
LONG PERIODS OF INACTIVITY
OVERLOADING
EXCESSIVELY HIGH OPERATION RATE
WRONG OPERATION SEQUENCE
LACK OF MAINTENANCE.

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No
.

CONDITION

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

Flooding of Top Cover

a)Level electrodes
malfunctioning
b)Gravity drain holes in
Stay Vanes Chocked

Check Level
Electrodes
Check the holes

Abnormal noise in DT
causing vibration

Insufficient admission of
air through cross piece

Check the Runner

aeration valve.

Machine not stopping by

normal braking

Excessive leakage past

guide vanes

Check Guide Vane

bedding
Check top &
bottom clearance

Oil leakage from Guide

Vane Servomotor

Damage of seals

Check the seal

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No
.

CONDITION

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

Leakage of water through

shaft seal

i)Burning off / damage of

seal due to cooling water
failure
ii) Clean water supply at
lower pressure than
pressure below the top
cover

Replace rubber seal

and restore water
supply.
Ensure water supply
at a pressure higher
than pressure below
the covers.

Back lash in feedback

Loosening of feedback
wire

Ensure tightening of
wire

Excessive over speed

a)Governor malfunctioning
b)Governor parameters
disturbed
c) Over speed device fails
to operate

Check Governor
Check Governor
i)check elect. &
mech.Over speed
device / hydraulic
overspeed device
and hydraulic circuit

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No
.

CONDITION

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

Excessive pressure rise

a) Governor parameters
disturbed
b) GV Servo closing time
disturbed

Check Governor
Check hydraulic
circuit and timing
devices.

Excessive pressure drop

Fast opening of G.V.

Check Governing
parameters

10

Excessive bearing
temperature.

a) Cooling water failure

i) Check isolating
valves
ii) Check strainer
choking or not
iii) Check if the
bearing cooler is
checked
iv) Check if water
pipe is choked

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No
.
11

CONDITION
Excessive bearing
temperature.

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

b) Oil level low

Check oil level and top

up
c) Pad clearance disturbed Check clearance
d) Shaft alignment disturbed Check alignment
e) Bearing lining damaged
Dismantle bearing and
check for damage
Check instruments
f) Sensing devices faulty
(false signals)
g) Dry Oil

Centrifuge / change oil

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No.

CONDITION

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

12

Oil level low in

compressor

Check oil, refer

compressor manual

13

Safety valve on air

receiver operated

Check pressure
switches / Safety Valve /
Controls

14

Malfunctioning of Safety
Valve

15

a) Pressure of foreign
particles on the seat
b) Damage to Seat

M/c not delivering enough a)Water pressure low

Power
b) Tail race Level high
c) Insufficient discharge
d) Runner badly eroded

Clean & re-lap seat

Replace Seat
Check Head water level
and spiral pressure
Check tail race for
obstruction in flow
G.V. opening not proper
Check Runner.

FAULTS & TROUBLE SHOOTING

S.No
.

CONDITION

PROBABLE
CAUSE

ACTION

16

MIV fails to open

Check elect. Ckt. / hydraulic Ckt.

/ Directional Control Valve / Oil
Pressure / Locking Pins / Servo
motor / clogging indicator of
duplex strainer for oil supply to
MIV Control Panel.

17

Oil level high in OLU

Check level switches

Check Oil Pressure
Check for excessive leakage.

18

Shear Pin Broken

Restriction in the
passage of Guide
Vane closing
/opening

Remove restriction