Understanding the Differences

Not all stator coil systems can meet the stringent performance specifications needed for the long-term reliability of generators operating in today's demanding high-voltage duty cycles. Comparing the different methods for injecting resin into a coil system is akin to comparing apples to oranges and the long-term life of the winding is the defining factor.

GVPI or Globally Vacuum Pressure Impregnated stator windings are distinct from NEC’s VPI system in that the entire generator stator – windings and all – are VPI’d. This process has a size limitation since the entire stator must be hung from a crane and inserted into a large VPI chamber full of resin. Therefore, across the industrial and utility sectors, many GVPI machines are not the largest and highest rated. However, more recently, the GVPI process has become quite commonly used for large air-cooled generators, with ratings as high as 400 MVA and up to 21 kV.

The GVPI process has the major drawback that if a coil fails the final acceptance Hipot or final commissioning test, removal and replacement of a single coil or bar can be extremely difficult.

Resin rich insulation systems are also distinct from NEC’s individual coil/bar VPI system.  The resin rich systems fall into two distinct categories.  The first is the resin rich system manufactured with expensive autoclave equipment, similar to NEC’s VPI chambers.  The second is the resin rich system manufactured with heated presses.. 

The first system, notably used by GE for many years, can provide coils and bars that meet standard industry tests.  This system incorporates an autoclave chamber, filled with asphalt, used to conform the coil to its final shape.  This type of manufacturing also requires a significant investment in expensive equipment.  The resin rich system, when functioning correctly, has all the resin that is needed already loaded into the tape.  Instead, the autoclave is used to conform the asphalt to the coil or bar outer surface. No resin is inserted under pressure as is with the NEC VPI system.

Additionally, adding to the buyer's confusion, there are also resin rich systems that do not use the expensive autoclave equipment. These type of resin rich coils have limited application for high-voltage machines and the variation of quality among suppliers can be huge. Companies like NEC will tend to invest in the types of sophisticated equipment, engineering design and quality management systems needed to consistently produce high-quality results. Conversely, many industrial shops producing resin rich type windings will have very little invested in the skills, processes and equipment needed to produce a highly reliable winding suitable the higher voltage applications in industrial sectors or for the lower voltage (under 11kV and 30 MVA) applications in the utility sector.