Basic Precipitator Control Troubleshooting

Precipitator operating and optimizing products

Particulate Collection Within A Precipitator

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

“Normal Meter Readings”Electrical Reading are shown on meters for illustrative purposes. Actual readings may be on analog meters, digital displays, or a

combination of both.

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

One “meter” has abnormal reading while others are within normal ranges

Metering problem

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

Under Voltage Trip

Low or no primary and secondary voltage, high or rated primary and secondary current

Electrical ground within precipitator

Electrical ground within TR tank

Electrical ground within precipitator

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

Over Current Trip SCR shorted

Control malfunction

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

SCR Imbalance Trip One or more bad SCRs

Failure of the SCR firing circuit

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

No primary or secondary current, high or rated voltages

No load on TR

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

Breaker trips Short to ground before SCRs

Bad breaker

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication CauseLow voltages and low currents

Excessive sparking in precipitator

Electrical noise on return signal (s)

Overloaded Precipitator

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

No power after electrical repairs in control cabinet

Power phasing has been switched

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication Cause

Primary volts are normal, while the secondary and primary currents are much lower than normal

Heavy particulate buildup on discharge electrodes causing corona quenching and reduced free electron formation

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication CauseNo sparking is occurring and no electrical limit is being reached

Defective control components

Defective or improperly sized CLR

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication CauseReadings oscillate on a 2 to 3 second cycle

Broken and swinging discharge electrode

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Indication CauseReadings oscillate on a 10 to 15 second cycle

Swinging discharge electrode lower steadying frame

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

Comparing like areas of the precipitator can reveal problems that are not obvious from a glance of the electrical readings

Consistent differences between the chambers indicates possible gas flow or loading problems.

Basic Precipitator Troubleshooting

When electrical levels change on just one TR control the problem is usually within that control or bus section.

When electrical levels change on all the TR controls the problem is usually associated with the process.