Electrodrives has successfully completed a new technical service at a mining operation located at an altitude exceeding 4,800 meters in Peru.
The main objective of the site visit was complete the commissioning phase of the SER drive system for the SAG mill.
The Slip Energy Recovery (SER) system, exhibited an anomaly in the speed feedback signal and in the correct synchronization of currents. During the intervention, a comprehensive troubleshooting process was carried out, focused on the analysis of the speed measurement and the verification of the encoder signals K0 and K1. The checks performed allowed the fault to be identified as originating from the absence of the K0 signal.
Robustness of the SER System
As a result, and as part of the corrective action, the encoder was replaced and the motor shaft grounding was optimized, aligning the installation with best practices for high‑power slip ring motor applications.
These measures ensure the correct operation of the feedback systems in environments where induced voltages may be present.
Once the issue was resolved, progress was made toward the final commissioning phase of the equipment, which had not been possible to complete during previous stages. Until that point, the system had only operated partially, with approximately 60% ball charge. During this intervention, the mill was successfully started and operated under a load close to 95%, validating system performance under real operating conditions.
The SER provided precise speed control within a range between 85% and 105% of nominal speed. In addition, the thermal behavior of the power semiconductors was monitored over several hours, confirming stable operation within the expected design parameters.
LRS and SER training
Taking advantage of the completion of the commissioning process, a theoretical and practical training session was delivered to the site team, focused on the operation and maintenance of the installed systems. These sessions covered both the Liquid Resistance Starter (LRS) and the SER, enabling operators to acquire solid, application‑oriented knowledge for handling the equipment under real operating conditions.
