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ELLIOTT TECHNICAL
SERVICE LETTER

ETSL Number: ETSL-T-2012 Issued Date: 02/01/2021

Title: Spurious Trips on YR Turbines
Equipment Type: Turbine – SS Model/Frame: YR
Objective: To provide a troubleshooting guide to identify the source of spurious trips
and provide possible remedies.
Abstract: Elliott occasionally receives complaints regarding the unexpected or
unexplained trip outs of YR turbines. These trip outs are defined as
spurious trips. These trips normally occur on larger, high power YR’s
equipped with 6" steam chests but all frames may be affected. The exact
cause of the spurious trips vary.

Recommendations:
Safety Precautions: Always re-test the trip system after any changes or modifications.
Associate ETSL-T-2010, ETSL-T-2028, ETSL-T-2036, ETSL-T-2038
Documentation:

From time to time, Elliott receives complaints regarding the unexpected or unexplained trip outs of YR
turbines. These trip outs are defined as spurious trips. These trips normally occur on larger, high power
YR’s equipped with 6" steam chests but all frames may be affected. The exact cause of the spurious trips
vary.

The best way to confirm that the subject unit is experiencing spurious trip outs as opposed to an actual
trip condition is to verify trip pin to plunger contact is occurring. A good troubleshooting technique is to
coat either the trip plunger or trip pin with layout bluing (Prussian blue will not work). The trip plunger
should be coated but to reduce disassembly/reassembly time, the trip pin may be used with acceptable
results. This should be done after the trip speed has been properly verified. The surface to be coated
must be degreased with a suitable solvent. The layout blue should be applied liberally to the contact
surfaces and allowed to dry. When the unit is restarted, should a spurious trip occur, the coated part
should be reviewed. If the bluing has been disturbed, it is apparent the trip pin is hitting the plunger and
particular areas related to this cause must be reviewed (reference paragraphs 11 & 15).

Should the problem be traced to a high frequency governor valve noise then operational procedures may
require modification. One way to verify this problem area is to close down on the main steam inlet block
valve. This reduces the differential pressure across the governor valve and may eliminate the noise. The
use of overload valves (hand valves) is the best way to address this problem. In the worst cases, the
governor valve may need resized. If this is the case, as much operational data that can be collected will
help with the analysis, and determination of the best governor valve selection.

TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE - SPURIOUS TRIPS

CAUTION: The trip system must be tested to ensure its operational reliability after performing
maintenance or making adjustments to any part of the trip system.

NOTE: All reference part numbers are from Figures 1 & 2.

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1. Cause: Knife edges worn.

Inspect knife edge (9) and latch (27) for sharp corners. The latch may be rotated in 90 deg.
increments to obtain a good edge. The knife edge may be rotated 180 deg. to obtain a good
edge. The overlap of the knife edge on the latch should be 0.100" to 0.125". Check for
interference of the knife edge with the hand trip lever (26). Ensure the overlap is not excessive
as this may prevent a trip from occurring if required. Reference Figure 2.

There are optional 'raked' knife edges available to assist with spurious trips that cannot be
resolved by other means. These knife edges have been modified as shown in Figure 2. The
suggested angle is 5 degrees with a maximum angle of 10 degrees. Use of these 'raked' knife
edges results in an increase of the force required to separate the knife edges during a trip, but
will not prevent the trip from occurring. Refer to Elliott drawings 436003 and 436004 for these
items. Drawing 436003 contains the list of matching 'lever' and 'latch' raked knife edges.

2. Cause: Linkages are loose, damaged, or bent.

Thoroughly inspect all parts for damage. Replace any that show undue wear or fatigue. All
parts should mate tight with a minimum of play or lost motion. The clearance between the hand
trip lever (26) and the shoulder stud (29) should be within a range of 0.002" to 0.004". There
are replaceable bushings. The clearance between the resetting lever (8) and the pivot pin (5)
should be in the range of 0.0008" to 0.002".

3. Cause: Trip valve not properly back seated.

Incorrect back seating has been known to cause the knife edge and latch to separate due to
valve vibration being transmitted to the lever assemblies. This should always be checked to
determine and eliminate this as cause. Repeat the back seat procedure as outlined in the
instruction books. The correct method is to raise the trip valve (17) to the back seat position by
lifting on the connection block (42) with a screwdriver. Using the resetting lever to do this
eliminates the clearance between the connection block (42) and the connection block pins (41).
This reduces the back seat force. Refer to ETSL-T-2036 for the proper method of back seating
the trip valve.

4. Cause: Incorrect location of the governor valve seat ribs.

This has been known to cause spurious trips. Acoustic vibration is generated and transmitted
to the lever assemblies. Inspect the governor valve seat (23) orientation to insure the flow path
from the trip valve area is not obstructed by a rib location. If this is a problem, shrink the seat
by packing with dry ice and rotate it to the proper orientation. Refer to ETSL-T-2010.

5. Cause: Turbine trip is accompanied by loud noise from the steam chest.

This phenomena is caused by acoustic noise generated in the governor valve during low load
operation when the governor valve is close to its seat. This can be remedied by proper
operation of the hand valves. If manual operation of these valves is not practical, auto overload
valves may need to be considered. If the turbine loading has been reduced from the original
design, then conversion to a smaller governor valve should be considered.

To aid in troubleshooting this phenomenon, install a calibrated pressure gauge for ring pressure
measurement and verify inlet pressure. A ratio of inlet pressure and ring pressure of
approximately 1.8 or greater will indicate critical pressure drop and a governor valve/nozzle ring
change should be considered.

6. Cause: Loose shoulder stud.

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Check shoulder stud (29) for looseness and reassemble using locktite if necessary.

7. Cause: Turbine trip speed decreases as unit heats up.

Check to ensure that the correct cold clearance exists between the trip pin and the trip plunger.
This is considered a mandatory check on any YR turbine. It is recommended that this cold
clearance be determined by checking the actual clearance with the turbine hot, especially on
units with a normal inlet temperature above 500 deg F. The clearance can be increased to
0.080" to 0.090" when necessary to obtain the correct hot clearance (refer to ETSL-T-2028 for
more information). When checking this clearance, ensure the hand trip lever is fully rotated
clockwise such that the proper knife edge to latch overlap is being maintained. When checking
this clearance, ensure the feeler gauges do not separate the knife edges and give a false
reading. Ensure the jackscrew locknut is tight.

8. Cause: Torsion spring not properly installed.

Inspect the torsion spring (28) for proper installation between the hand trip lever (26) and the
bearing case. The spring should rotate the lever in a clockwise manner around the shoulder
stud. Lubricate the shoulder stud. Use of a high temperature fluorosilicone grease is
suggested. Refer to ETSL-T-2038 for information on the proper grease for this application.
Check for paint on the trip plunger which may be preventing the hand trip lever from rotating
properly. Newly painted units may have the trip plunger painted where it extends out of the
bearing case. This results in stiff plunger movement and may prevent the torsion spring from
rotating the hand trip lever into the proper engagement position. The spring should rotate the
trip lever into the latched position as the resetting lever is raised. If the torsion spring cannot
rotate the trip level, it should be replaced.

9. Cause: Incorrect trip spring(s) being used.

Check trip spring(s) (11,45) to ensure the correct part number springs have been installed. If
the maximum casing inlet pressure is above 250 psig, there should be two springs nested in
parallel. Two springs can be utilized regardless of casing rating.

10. Cause: Turbine is affected by vibration of local equipment or the turbine itself.

Audit location for machinery that may produce vibration, either steady state or transient, that
has a high enough amplitude to trip the turbine. This vibration must be eliminated or the turbine
properly isolated. Turbine vibration due to transient load changes or thermal changes to the
turbine may cause the knife edges to separate.

11. Cause: Turbine trips during a load decrease.

More common on older turbines with sub-NEMA governors. When load is removed, the
governor cannot throttle fast enough to prevent an over speed. Verify the trip speed is set
correctly. Blue the plunger or trip pin head with layout bluing for future troubleshooting
information (after the trip speed is set). Ensure governor linkage is not binding. A better
class of governor with a quicker reaction time may be necessary. The trip speed may also be
raised if acceptable for both the turbine and driven machine. Contact your Elliott Service Sales
Representative regarding a raise of the trip speed.

12. Cause: Solenoid trip is tripping the unit out.

This is more common on older units that use the earlier design of the solenoid trip. This is
usually associated with units that are in remote locations and no one ever observes the unit at
trip. Check the circuit in the solenoid for faulty switches or loose connections. Ensure the
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solenoid latches are in good condition and the connections are not loose. On trip when de-
energized solenoids, the compression spring on the stem of the core can be increased by
turning the elastic lock nut. This assists in ensuring the solenoid latch is made up and stays
tight. Attached is a cross section of the solenoid (Figure 3). The solenoid can be isolated or
locked out for troubleshooting purposes. If the turbine still experiences a spurious trip, the
solenoid can be eliminated. Note that there are newer solenoid trip designs that eliminate this
problem. Contact Elliott Service Parts for additional information.

13. Cause: Limit switches mis-adjusted.

Some older units utilized limit switches where the switch could be pushing the hand trip lever
away from the resetting lever causing the knife edges to separate. The limit switch may also
prevent proper rotation of the hand trip lever thus preventing the correct knife edge to latch
overlap from being obtained. Re-adjust the limit switch position on its mounting plate such that
the switch contacts just make up when the hand trip lever and resetting lever are properly
engaged with the correct knife edge to latch overlap. Some customers use this switch to initiate
additional trip signals. Ensure the switch is not bad if this is the case. Note that there are
newer limit switch designs that eliminate this problem. Contact Elliott Service Parts for
additional information.

14. Cause: Faulty exhaust pressure trip.

Some older units still utilize diaphragm type cylinders for exhaust pressure trips. Ensure the
diaphragm has not deteriorated.

15. Cause: Over speed trip problems.

Ensure the trip pin is functioning at the correct trip speed. Over time the trip spring may
weaken. Replace if necessary. Ensure no parts have come loose or have been forgotten to be
installed such as the required shims or spacers, "U" lock staples, or that the plug on QV trips
has not come loose. Blue the plunger or trip pin head with layout bluing for future
troubleshooting information (after the trip speed is set).
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