Joshua Hackmann

Background

I started in the power generation industry when I was 19 years old, mostly working on Westinghouse® steam turbine generators. For seven years, I did minor and major test and inspections, which included electrical testing and any maintenance that came with the inspection. I joined the Brush Turbogenerator team in 2011. Being with Brush gave me a vast understanding of many different OEM styles of generators. In 2019, I joined the MD&A team and am now a resident of Saint Louis, working at the Repairs facility.

What do you do here at MD&A?

Currently, I work in the MD&A Saint Louis shop as a Generator Division Operations Manager. I also go on-site as a Generator Specialist to support test, inspections, and maintenance on generator stators and fields.

What are the most common issues you encounter with generators during inspections or repairs?

The most common issue I encounter on generators is loose end winding support systems. This is identified by greasing throughout the end winding, blocking and supports.

On single and double tube stack Westinghouse® generators from the 1970s and 1980s, it is common to find units with bad transpositions. Transposition issues can cause a generator to fail in service if not repaired when found.

What signs should customers look for that might indicate a generator is at risk of failure?

A customer should be concerned if their generator coil insulation is deteriorating or if there are signs of heavy corona discharge in the unit.

 What’s one type of generator repair that customers often underestimate in terms of urgency or impact, and why is it important to address it early?

Customers tend to underestimate generator core iron tightness. It is often overlooked or not completed when Generator Specialists recommend a core torque. It is important to catch this early because a loose core can cause issues in the core iron or compromise the stator bar insulation. Repairing a damaged core can be time-consuming and costly.

Case Study: 7FH2 Partial Re-Stack of the Core Step Iron

What’s one thing people would be surprised to learn about you?

I own property in Playa De Los Cocos, Mexico. My father bought 40 meters of beachfront property in 2008.  I liked the area so much that in 2011, I bought 20 meters of beachfront property right next to my father. From 2012 to 2016, I lived at my house in Playa De Los Cocos, flying to generator jobs as requested, then back to Mexico. The best thing about living in Mexico was being able to surf right in front of my house, accompanied by my father.