Infrared Technology Services

The ability of infrared inspections to provide early detection of faults in power generation and electrical distribution system allows the scheduling of repair work during normal working hours, before power outages occur. Extensive damage to system components, caused by the failure of hot connections, can be avoided. Power outages, down times, repair material, and man hours spent on emergency repairs can be significantly reduced, making infrared thermography an invaluable predictive maintenance tool in electrical transmission and distribution systems.

Transmission lines, substations, distribution lines, pad-mounted transformers, overhead transformer banks and underground facilities can all be inspected using infrared thermography. We also provide aerial inspections when needed for remote transmission and distribution lines. To view a sample report page, click here.

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Electrical equipment such as transformers, breakers, regulators, switches and buss connections located in substations are essential to electrical transmission and distribution systems. All of the numerous connections to these components can be checked quickly with infrared thermograhpy. The images below show a regulator with a hot source bushing connection. The temperature detected was 257 degrees F. Connections such as these should be repaired immediately to prevent outages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A typical substation contains a large number of critical switches. Any individual switch may have six (6) or more connection points. Any of those may become hot due to being loose, damaged or not closed properly. In the example below the 4-bolt pad connector to the top of the switch was faulty.

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Transmission and distribution lines can be scanned from a vehicle. The pole top transformer bank shown below is part of a distribution system. The right transformer is defective.