Electric actuators frequently perform key functions in modern hydropower plants. No matter whether they are used for water level regulation at the power plant inlet or at the fish ladder, for shutting off pipelines or for precise turbine control – to ensure smooth hydropower plant operation it is essential that these actuators work correctly and reliably.

For plant operators a key requirement is therefore to be able to evaluate the ­health status of their actuators at any time in order to stay alert to maintenance requirements and thus ensure long-term operational reliability and safety. Modern digital solutions such as CORALINK, the AUMA digital ecosystem, provide the basis for this. CORALINK offers a number of smart software modules that allow plant operators to use their AUMA actuators efficiently and ensure their reliable operation.

Ensuring availability
At the heart of CORALINK is the ability to evaluate the extensive operating data that AUMA actuators record automatically. Data such as the number of starts, motor run time, torque, temperatures and any fault codes give valuable information on the health status of the actuator. Plant operators can easily read out this data from their actuators by using the AUMA Assistant App on a smartphone, and then upload the data to AUMA Cloud for analysis. As a result of the automated data analysis plant operators receive a detailed action plan with recommendations for each actuator. Plant operators can take appropriate action on time and thus avoid unplanned downtime.

Saving time and cost
CORALINK also offers a lot of useful functions for AUMA actuators that save time and money in daily plant operation. Hydropower plant operators benefit from an asset overview that shows all the information about their AUMA actuators at a glance. They can quickly and easily order spare parts, request support from AUMA service engineers, and keep track of their service requests. AUMA Assistant App allows users to quickly and intuitively configure, commission and operate their AUMA actuators.

Users can test CORALINK free of charge in a very comprehensive basic version. More information is available at coralink.auma.com.