Preventive Maintenance Keeps Induction Systems In Peak Condition: Part 1

Maintenance of induction equipment can easily be ignored by assuming that everything is fine as long as the equipment is operating. Ignoring original equipment manufacturers' (OEM) recommended maintenance schedules can create problems that are not apparent from just looking at the system. It has long been understood that as much as 90% of induction-system problems are water related. High-conductivity water usually is the culprit that causes cooling system erosion due to electrolysis. This reaction causes the erosion of vital copper components resulting in the collection of contaminating material, which reduces water flow. Lower water flow allows the system devices that are being cooled to overheat and fail prematurely. This is most common in water-cooling systems where high electrical potentials are present, such as silicon-carbide rectifier (SCR) and diode heat sinks and chokes (reactors). Use of lake, well and city tap water to cool an induction power supply can reduce the service life of an induction system by 30 to 50%.

The following information is not intended to replace OEM equipment manuals, which usually cover induction heating equipment maintenance, but to provide easy-to-use checklists for regular system maintenance.