Moisture Problem – Leister Dries with Precision

Author: Lakshmipriya Aravind, Marketing Manager, Leister India

Moisture-Induced Failures: A Persistent Industrial Challenge

In India’s power generation and integrated steel sectors, moisture is a frequent and disruptive adversary. During seasonal changes and planned maintenance shutdowns, critical electrical assets such as generator stators and LT/HT panels are exposed to damp conditions that lead to reduced insulation resistance, often falling below 2MΩ, which increases the risk of short circuits. Corrosion of windings and terminals compromises the integrity of electrical systems, while unscheduled downtime results in high maintenance costs and delayed restarts. These issues not only threaten operational continuity but also pose serious safety risks and financial burdens 

Pilot Solution Developed in Response to Industry Needs

Following direct consultation with customers in India’s power and steel sectors, Leister India developed a specialized hot air-drying system to address recurring insulation resistance issues during seasonal shutdowns. The prototype combines the compact Leister HOTWIND for targeted drying in confined spaces, plus a trolley-based unit consisting of LHS 61 System and Airpack, designed to deliver high-volume, deep-penetrating hot air in generator rooms and control panels.

Leister’s drying systems have already demonstrated their effectiveness at major industrial sites. At Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., the systems contributed to faster maintenance turnarounds and improved electrical safety. At Lanco Power Ltd., they helped reduce corrosion and part failures, enhancing the reliability of electrical panels. These implementations have led to shorter maintenance cycles, enhanced safety standards, lower failure rates, and increased operational reliability. 

A senior maintenance professional from one of these plants shared their experience: “We were surprised at how efficient the drying process became after using Leister tools. Downtime is lower, and we no longer worry about moisture risks every monsoon.” 

While still undergoing further validation, this first field tests have shown promising results. This initiative reflects Leister’s commitment to customer-driven innovation and its responsiveness to real-world industrial challenges.