Find the dedicated article in the magazine Hydro Power – No. 44 – August/September
Within the framework of the maintenance industrial, speed multiplier is a key organ that deserves special attention. Used to increase rotational speed in hydraulic applications, this equipment must meet specific needs (high torque transmission, flow variations, humid environment). Appropriate maintenance extends its lifespan, optimizes its performance and limits unplanned shutdowns.
Oil: quality makes the difference
The choice of lubricant is one of the essential points. For multipliers, it is strongly recommended to opt for a synthetic oil, more suited to temperature variations and more durable than mineral oil.
Verification and analysis: the basis of maintenance
Indeed, failure to monitor the oil level is one of the most common problems in the field. This can lead to a overheating, accelerated degradation of gears and bearings, or even to mechanical breakdowns important.
In theory, a annual oil change is recommended. But in practice, it can be replaced by a oil analysis – provided that it confirms the good health of the fluid:
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Physicochemical stability
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Absence or low level of metallic particles (indicators of internal wear)
Collect the oil properly
The effectiveness of the analysis depends entirely on the quality of the sample. It is recommended not to in your take from the bottom of the crankcase (place of deposits), but rather from a well-mixed area, after having turned the multiplier.
The sample must be taken at the pipette, then analyzed by a specialized laboratory, which will measure in particular the concentrations of:
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Iron (critical threshold: 150 ppm)
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Copper and chromium (10 ppm)
These values allow the internal wear state of the components to be assessed.
Essential maintenance supplements: vibration & endoscopy
Oil analysis is only one element of the maintenance plan. It must be supplemented by:
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There’s nothing quite like a vibration analysis, to detect imbalances or anomalies in rotating parts (bearings, gears, couplings, etc.)
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There’s nothing quite like a endoscopic inspection, allowing you to view the internal condition of gears and bearings
MERGER, thanks to its experience, offers both design and maintenance to equip your reducers et multipliers, of different solutions (sensors, probes and other systems) aimed at optimizing the proper functioning of the devices and increase their lifespan.
The introductory photo illustrates one of MERGER's latest achievements in the field of hydroelectricity
Article by Juliette Fihman-Talpin (Puissance Hydro), with the participation of Jean-Marc Poulet (Merger)
MERGER will be present at the Business Hydro 2025 exhibition in Grenoble
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