Research of thermal performance by metallographic investigation of stator winding solder region in hydroelectric power plants

Hydroelectric power plants are the most widely used renewable energy sources all over the world. In these plants, many studies have been conducted in order to produce energy continuously and efficiently. Among these studies, predictive maintenance methods, efforts to increase power by improving cooling conditions, and improving efficiency by improving the turbine wheel. In this paper, soldering at the junctions of the stator windings in the central generators has been investigated. Traditional solder (Cu–Zn) materials and silver alloy solders (Ag-Cu-Zn) have been investigated in terms of thermal and metallographic. Silver alloy soldering has been found to have lower electrical conductivity than conventional soldering. The winding temperatures measured on the generating generator show that silver alloy soldering is more efficient. Reducing the stator winding temperature in hydroelectric power plants allows more energy production and also reduces costs by preventing winding failures.