"Predictive maintenance" or "preventive maintenance" is a term primarily used in power engineering, energy management, and smart grid fields. It is often used interchangeably with "predictive maintenance," "predictive maintenance," and "preventive maintenance." However, the English terms may differ depending on their precise meaning.

1. Preservation of wisdom

• In English: Predictive Maintenance

• explanation: This is a method of monitoring the equipment status in real time using sensors, etc., analyzing data before a breakdown occurs, and performing maintenance when necessary.

2. Preservation of the past

• In English: Preventive Maintenance

• explanation: This is a method of conducting planned maintenance according to a set cycle (time, usage, etc.) to prevent the possibility of equipment failure in advance.

Similar concept terms

• Condition-based Maintenance (CBM): Condition-based Maintenance

• Reliability-centered Maintenance (RCM):

• PdM and SHM are abbreviations for:

  • PdM: Predictive Maintenance
    This is called "predictive maintenance" or "predictive maintenance," and it is a method of predicting the possibility of equipment or structures failing in advance using sensors and data analysis, and performing maintenance based on the actual condition.

  • SHM: Structural Health Monitoring
    This translates to "structural health monitoring" or "structural integrity monitoring," and refers to a system that uses sensors to detect the status of critical infrastructure such as bridges, buildings, and dams in real time, identify damage or changes, and manage structural safety.

  The two terms are often used together in industrial facility and infrastructure management, and while PdM refers to the overall predictive maintenance strategy for facilities, SHM is often utilized as a sub-concept or supporting technology specifically for monitoring the condition of structures.

1. Background and necessity of AI applications based on PdM and SHM in each industry

 

electric railway system

• Real-time monitoring of key infrastructure, including trains, rails, signaling equipment, bridges, and tunnels, using IoT sensors and AI. Early detection of micro-damage and signs of failure prevents safety accidents and reduces maintenance costs.

• Surge monitoring and protection are necessary : to prevent signaling device errors, communication failures, and damage to power conversion equipment caused by lightning and power surges.

 

Water resources management (dams, water supply and sewage)

• Predict and detect leaks, damage, and abnormal vibrations in equipment such as pumps, valves, and pipe networks to prevent accidents in advance.

• Need for surge protection : Reduce damage to equipment such as control panels, PLCs, and motors caused by external lightning and internal switching surges.

 

Korea Electric Power Corporation (power infrastructure)

• Real-time monitoring of power infrastructure, including substations, distribution panels, transmission towers, and distribution lines, predicts failures and aging, prevents large-scale power outages, and maximizes asset management efficiency.

• The need for surge protection: essential to prevent damage to transformers, circuit breakers, protective relays, and communication/control devices caused by lightning and surges.

 

Korea Expressway Corporation (road and bridge infrastructure)

• Installing SHM sensors on major structures such as highway bridges, tunnels, and noise barriers allows for detection of micro-anomalies such as cracks, deformation, and vibration, and proactive maintenance.

• Need for surge protection: Preventing operational disruption due to lightning surge damage to tollgates, traffic lights, road communication systems, CCTV, etc.

 

Rural Development Administration (water resources and agricultural infrastructure)

• Monitoring the status of major equipment such as pumps, valves, and pipe networks in agricultural water facilities such as reservoirs, irrigation facilities, drainage channels, and pumping stations, and predicting abnormalities.

• Need for surge protection: Prevent equipment failure by blocking lightning and surge inflow to control panels, pumps, motors, remote monitoring systems, etc.

 

Korea Gas Corporation (natural gas pipelines, compressors)

• Prevent major accidents by monitoring pipe leaks, corrosion, and compressor abnormalities in real time and predicting failures.

• The need for surge protection : Minimizing safety accidents and equipment downtime caused by surges entering distribution and communication lines.

 

2. Integrated surge protection solution configuration and role

3. Expected effects

• Enhanced operational reliability: Reduce the risk of infrastructure disruption by minimizing equipment failures and downtime due to lightning and surges.

• Reduce maintenance costs: Reduce unnecessary overhauls and accident recovery costs, maximizing PdM-based maintenance efficiency.

• Extending Equipment Life: Preventing equipment damage increases asset value and reduces replacement costs.

• Data-Driven Improvements: Developing Prevention Strategies Using Real-Time Surge Recording and Analysis Data from the Surge Black Box

• Ensuring environmental and safety sustainability: Increase social trust and contribute to disaster prevention through stable infrastructure operation.

 

4. Smart Integrated System Introduction Strategy

• Design of customized solutions for each site : Selection of appropriate SPD type and surge protection panel specifications for each facility through analysis of infrastructure characteristics and power/communication systems.

• Establishing a multi-layer protection system : Integrating multi-stage surge protection at each stage of Type 1~3 SPD and the SBB record monitoring system.

• Preventive Maintenance Linked PdM Data Fusion : Integrating SHM data and surge event records to derive optimal maintenance cycles.

• Enterprise-wide IoT/AI platform integration : Establishing a real-time remote monitoring, automated anomaly detection, and early response system.

 

5. Conclusion and Suggestions

• Maximizing safety and efficiency with AI-powered smart maintenance based on PdM and SHM.

• An integrated system of surge protection panels, multiple SPDs, and surge black boxes (SBBs) is essential.

• We recommend custom installation and data-driven preventive maintenance systems.

• Ensures stable operation even in lightning and power surge environments, maximizing investment efficiency through cost savings.

 

Optimal surge protection and predictive maintenance solutions for the future competitiveness and stability of your infrastructure —not an option, but a necessity!