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Electric Furnace Maintenance and Upkeep

Carry out daily, weekly, and monthly inspections of electric furnaces diligently, with a particular focus on maintaining and servicing the following aspects:

I. Electrical

(1) If Electric furnace Do not operate the furnace continuously around the clock. Be sure to check daily whether there is any seepage or leakage in the power cabinet; otherwise, it could lead to short circuits and damage to thyristors and other components. This type of issue is fairly common. Even if the electric furnace operates continuously across three shifts, you should still conduct inspections no more than once every three days. If such a problem occurs, address the fault completely before restarting the furnace. If, due to production requirements, it’s truly impossible to stop the furnace, carefully assess whether restarting it briefly will not pose any risk to the components—only then can you safely resume operation. After the furnace is stopped, make sure to thoroughly repair all pipe joints. This recommendation should be incorporated as part of the daily inspection routine.

(2) Regularly replace the purified water. If the conductivity of the circulating water is too high, it can easily cause electrochemical corrosion at the connections of the water pipes, leading to dripping and leakage—and in severe cases, even corrosion and fracture at the joints, resulting in a massive surge of cooling water with unimaginable consequences. It is recommended to frequently use a test pen to monitor the conductivity. If the conductivity is found to be excessively high, the circulating water should be replaced immediately. During this process, depending on the situation, you may also consider replacing the deionization cartridge to further reduce the conductivity.

To prevent electrochemical corrosion, it is essential to ensure that the cooling water used in the power supply cabinet meets the following requirements (regardless of whether the power supply cabinet is supplied by Yingda or Zhenwu Company):

1. Regularly monitor the conductivity of cooling water; in principle, the conductivity should be less than 10 µS.

2. If the conductivity exceeds 20 µS, consider replacing the deionization cartridge; it is recommended to replace the deionization cartridge every 6 months.

3. If the conductivity exceeds 100 µS, all cooling circulating water (or the mixed solution containing antifreeze) in the power cabinet, as well as all deionization cartridge cores, must be replaced.

(3) Regularly inspect the bolted connections of capacitors and busbars for signs of overheating or discoloration, and check whether the physical appearance of the capacitors has changed. Replace any components found to be faulty promptly. Most failures are caused by loose screws; this inspection item is recommended as part of the weekly maintenance routine.

(4) Regularly inspect the bolted connections of the copper busbars inside the power distribution cabinet as well as those on the exterior of the cabinet for any signs of overheating or discoloration. Areas where copper busbar loosening previously caused failures should be given special attention during routine maintenance—never let your guard down. This recommendation should be included as a monthly inspection item.

II. Machinery

(1) The rotating mechanisms of the electric furnace’s lid and furnace body require regular lubrication. At a minimum, lubrication should be performed at least once a month.

(2) Hydraulic station If the electric furnace operates continuously in three shifts, the hydraulic oil should be replaced every three months. Based on actual operating conditions on-site, the hydraulic oil must also be thoroughly replaced at least once a year. The hydraulic oil is a fire-retardant water-glycol type.

(3) The generator should be maintained according to its scheduled maintenance cycle. Use diesel fuel with a cetane number of No. -10 or lower for the generator to ensure smooth starting in cold winter temperatures. Given that the generator is not used frequently, it is recommended to include it as part of the annual inspection. Replace the starting battery regularly every one and a half years.

(4) Regularly inspect the fastening bolts of the furnace body and the tightening bolts of the magnetic yoke. Since the furnace body operates continuously under medium-frequency conditions, vibrations can easily loosen the bolts, leading to structural instability. This inspection is recommended as an annual maintenance item.

(5) Each time you inspect or repair the furnace lining under the furnace lid, use wood or other materials to support the furnace lid—pay close attention to safety.

(6) During the winter break, the circulating pump must be turned on and the accumulated water in the cooling tower sump must be drained to prevent pipes from freezing and cracking. If the internal circulation pump is not turned on, a certain proportion of antifreeze must be added to the internal circulating water.