Thermal imager - diagnostics in power industry

The heating season is now on, so it's time for energy audits. When it's cold outside, the heating system is on duty - and then the spots where the most heat escapes are revealed. This is a perfect moment for assessing thermal isolation performance - and it's best done with the use of a thermal camera. This method eliminates any flaws to be overlooked provided there is free access to the controlled area.

It is good if the examined building has been heated for some time, and thus their temperatures are even and stable. Thermal imaging of a new, recently commissioned facility, whose walls may have increased humidity, is most often performed in order to detect various types of defects and leaks arising at the construction stage, and then request the contractor to correct them. However, with regard to the assessment of the thermal insulation of such a building, it is best to wait at least a few months.

In addition to construction facilities, thermovision testing of electrical switching stations is performed. Such inspections can be carried out all year round, preferably during the maximum load of the switchgear. For companies or manufacturing plants which use cooling, the best period is summer. On the other hand, in case of plants where heating is needed, the switchgear is heavily loaded in winter.

The most favorable conditions for thermovision examinations are present from November to February. It is not worth waiting for stronger frosts - these are usually associated with high pressure, strong sunlight and large temperature fluctuations throughout the day.

SONEL S.A. introduced a new series of inexpensive, functional thermal imagers, prepared for preventive checks of power networks.

Within electrical networks, thermography is most often used to find overheating elements and preventive checks. An overloaded phase or a damaged device can be detected quickly thanks to thermal radiation. The essence of the inspection is a comparative analysis of the temperatures of similar objects. For this purpose, a relatively simple tool is enough, without overly extensive functions. These are the Sonel KT-165, KT-250 and KT-320 cameras. Their parameters are optimal for electric components, which allowed to ensure a reasonable price level.

When looking for inefficient protection, we don't need to know exactly which element is problematic. It's enough to know that a particular protection overheats as a whole. That is why we have adjusted the IR matrix sizes to the needs, keeping prices attractive. We offer cameras with a resolution of 160x120 pixels (KT-165), 256x192 pixels (KT-250) and 320x240 pixels (KT-320). Thanks to them, we can easily identify the overheating part of the transformer, insulator, protection or other element of the network.

All mentioned models have a built-in 5 Mpix visible light camera. Thanks to it, we can combine infrared and visible image in several modes, which makes it easier to recognize an overheating element. The range of the measured temperature has also been adapted to the needs of electrical testing and ranges from -20°C to +350°C. After all, an overheating insulator will not reach 1700°C.

Sonel KT-165, KT-250 and KT-320 cameras have embedded basic sets, but also necessary tools for image analysis and correction/measurement. In order to achieve proper results, it's necessary to set the appropriate emissivity factor, distance, relative humidity, and ambient temperature. In this way we are able to determine the minimum or maximum temperature of the tested object. Thanks to the temperature alarm, we can quickly locate all elements whose temperature is higher or lower than the allowable level. It is also possible to choose one of six color palettes - this will facilitate the interpretation of the analyzed images.

The thermogram is displayed on a clear 3.5-inch screen with adjustable brightness level, which allows you to work in the field - even in strong or low light conditions. The measurement results are saved on the SD card in JPG format. We can easily send them to a computer via USB cable, as well as wirelessly via a Wi-Fi interface. Further and more extensive analysis will be carried out using free software: Sonel ThermoAnalyze 2 for PC or Sonel KT Mobile for mobile devices. The whole system is complemented by a solid and handy housing, as well as low weight, allowing one-handed operation. The lithium-ion battery enables for at least 4 hours of continuous operation.

Thanks to the latest technologies and solutions, Sonel KT thermal imagers guarantee flexibility and a full picture of the situation. These devices are ideal tools for both novice users and professional thermographers. They allow for thorough preventive checks, and the functionality tailored to the electrician's needs has allowed a decent price level.

Inspectors increasingly require an actual calibration certificate to perform tests using a thermal imager and make a measurement report. Check your thermal imager. Is it ready for performing inspections? Does it have an actual calibration certificate, which confirms metrological efficiency and constitutes an objective evidence of the correctness of the measurements taken?

For every thermal imagers SONEL S.A. offers an accredited calibration certificate FOR FREE.