GE LCN CS003-0

GE Energy

Product Life Cycle Support Notice

Control Solutions
GE GENERREX* Excitation System Transition to Phase 4 Last Buy New Parts for Control, Power Electronics and Magnetic Components for Compound Source and Potential Source Configurations
The Product Life Cycle Support Policy (see Life Cycle Overview) is intended to help you plan the maintenance and evolution of your GE control and excitation systems. Notices such as this one are issued at life cycle milestones to inform you of pending changes and provide recommendations on how to move forward. This notice is to inform you that the control, power electronics and magnetic components for compound source (CPS) and potential source (PPS) configurations of the GE GENERREX Excitation System will transition to life cycle Phase 4 on August 1, 2008. In this phase new spare parts will be offered for a period of one year on a Last Time Buy basis (see GENERREX Recommended Parts List), and GE will no longer offer custom modifications. Obsolete parts shall continue to be supported through repair/return and exchange/remanufacture services until diminishing resources make continued support no longer feasible Note: This notice does not affect the liquid-cooled auxiliary winding or P-Bars located on top of the main winding within the generator stator. Additional information relative to ongoing support, including removal, decommissioning, repair or replacement of the P-Bars may be obtained from the local GE Energy field service office. Last Buy Guidelines Orders for last time buy of GENERREX spare parts will be accepted until August 1, 2009, subject to the availability of finished goods and parts. Last time buy orders are non-cancelable and shipped products are non-returnable.

Contents
Recommended Generrex Parts List Repair and Upgrade Recommendations Life Cycle Overview

* Denotes a trademark of General Electric Company

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Recommended Parts List

Several signal electronics and specialty plumbing components have become increasing difficult to procure and external suppliers of these items have become scarce. This has made production of printed circuit cards, cooling system plumbing fixtures, dome magnetics), and water-cooled power potential transformers (PPS systems only) unfeasible. All parts listed in the GENERREX recommended parts list attached below shall be obsolete and new spares shall no longer be available for purchase. GE will continue to provide after-market support for these parts through the following services, as long as resource availability permits: Repair and Return: Customers send their defective GENERREX printed circuit boards to GE Energy Services for Repair and Return. Circuit boards will be repaired to the same revision level as received, will carry an eighteen-month edge-to-edge warranty and will include comprehensive test reports. Exchange: Customers may purchase replacement parts for GENERREX printed circuit boards from GE Energys stock of repaired parts inventory. Exchange boards are repaired and tested to the same standards as Repair and Return products and carry an eighteen-month edge-toedge warranty. This program requires that defective boards be returned to GE Energy Services within 30 days of shipment. Remanufactured: Customers can purchase remanufactured GENERREX printed circuit boards at a discounted price without the need to return a defective unit. Remanufactured boards are fully reconditioned, tested, repackaged and carry an eighteen-month warranty.

The duration of continued Repair Services for this product line will depend upon parts and components availability, design tools, test equipment and technical expertise. Due to components/parts obsolescence, GE Energy cannot guarantee that all or any of the affected product line can currently be manufactured. A product end-of-life team will review the status of GENERREX printed circuit boards annually to determine the current status and the feasibility of continued support. For repair services information, please contact your GE Energy Account Manager. Call 1-800-4GE-FAST (1-800-443-3278), or visit our web site at: http://www.gepartsedge.com/

Repair or Upgrade Recommendations

On-Site Repair The power magnetic components located inside the generator for the GENERREX CPS Excitation System can no longer be manufactured (excitation transformers and reactors). Similarly, the power potential transformer (PPT) located inside the generator dome of the GENERREX PPS units cannot be manufactured. On-site repair of these components can be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and should be brought to the attention of your GE Energy Services Service Manager for disposition. GENERREX PPS units utilizing a water-cooled PPT can be evaluated for retrofit of the existing PPT with a new, dry-type transformer on a case-by-case basis; please contact your GE Energy Services Account Manager. The generator control electronics (AVR) and air-cooled power conversion bridges of GENERREX PPS Excitation Systems equipped with the GE EX2000 Static Excitation System are not affected by this end of life announcement. Any change to the support status of the GE EX2000 Digital Excitation System will be communicated via a product specific bulletin. All other components of the GENERREX PSS

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Excitation Systems equipped with EX2000 Static Excitation System are subject to the provisions of this document. Migrating to a New Platform As new technologies become available you have the opportunity to improve your systems to keep pace with continually increasing market and regulatory demands. Systems approaching obsolescence cannot provide the same level of data access, analysis and control capabilities that are available from newer GE product offerings. Given the limited time where some degree of after-market support shall be available, plant managers are encouraged to evaluate the ongoing risk of maintaining their current systems against the benefits of migrating to a newer platform. GE Energy offers a complete line of products and services to modernize generators currently operating with a GENERREX excitation system. The EX2100 line of products is designed to provide superior performance and protection for most types of generating assets. GE Energys EX2100 Digital Excitation System is an advanced, dependable and sustainable control solution for optimizing generation asset performance and protection. GE has successfully installed EX2100 potential source excitation systems to replace both GENERREX CPS and PPS excitation systems. Some features of GE Energys retrofit program for GENERREX Excitation Systems with EX2100 Multibridge Excitation System for large steam turbines are: Triple Modular Redundant controls and power supplies Can deliver system performance equal to the high performance GENERREX system Available with on-line repair of controls, fans, power supplies and power conversion bridges AC input voltages of up to 1400V and DC output of up to 8000A Integrated Power System Stabilizer (TMR) Patented field ground detection system provides location of field grounds and monitors incoming AC Powerful system diagnostics and engineering tools through GE Toolbox, and compatibility with optional HMI engineering workstations Flexible unit data interface for direct connection to the plant system Fully integrated with the full line of GE Mark* Turbine and Plant controls Simplified testing and data collection features for regulatory reporting Fully engineered retrofit packages available, concept through commissioning Pre-engineered packages for the removal or electrical isolation of the GENERREX power magnetics Review of the required dome modification on generator cooling and vibration Isolation or removal of the P-bars

For more information go to: www.geenergy.com/prod_serv/products/oc/en/control_solution/generatorcontrols.htm or contact us at 1-800-835-5182 for a detailed cost analysis on the benefits of upgrading.

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Life Cycle Overview

The life cycle of any GE control system has five basic phases: Phase 1 Product Release Release to market with full support including enhancements, custom modifications, new spare parts and repairs. Phase 2 Mature Product Same support as available in phase 1 except that no new enhancements or additional functionality is introduced. Notice of last time to buy new systems issued approximately six months before transitioning to Phase 3. Phase 3 Stop Sale Product is no longer available for new installations. New spare parts are still available, and repair, exchange, and remanufacture services are available through designated repair centers (Louisville KY or Carrol Stream ILL). Custom modifications are no longer offered. Notice of last time to buy spare parts issued approximately six months before transitioning to Phase 4. Phase 4 After Market New spare parts are no longer available and support is limited to repair, exchange or remanufacture (subject to availability). Notice of last date to repair issued approximately six months before transitioning to Phase 5. Phase 5 Obsolete The product is no longer supported, and is not recommended for continued use in a machinery protection application.

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