Transition From Time–Based Preventive Maintenance to Condition–Based Maintenance

An optimized maintenance strategy is being pursued in the nuclear power industry, so as to reduce the maintenance cost and improve equipment reliability. Transition from time-based preventive maintenance (TBM) to Condition-based Maintenance (CBM) or Predictive Maintenance (PdM) is being set as a site initiative by different utilities. This paper analyzes the key elements a plant should focus on to achieve a successful CBM transition; discusses the implementation steps and matters needing attention for the pilot project of CBM transition; and depicts precursors for CBM such as CBM equipment scope screening, equipment failure history collection, failure mode and degradation mechanism analysis, monitoring parameters and frequency setting, CBM result evaluation, and CBM planning. The paper also discusses the impacts and challenges of CBM transition campaign to the existing production scheme.