In the rapidly evolving landscape of electrical power infrastructure management, the advent of intelligent predictive monitoring based on sensors represents a significant advancement.
Traditional methods, such as annual thermography and periodic inspections, have long been the standard in the maintenance and monitoring of electrical systems. However, these approaches are increasingly recognized as insufficient in the face of growing demands for reliability, safety, and efficiency in power distribution.
As the industry moves towards smarter and more proactive solutions, the role of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with intelligence, preventive fault detection, and operational optimization becomes undeniably crucial.
Here are 10 reasons why you should ditch annual thermography of your electrical infrastructure and use continuous predictive smart monitoring based on sensors:
1) Intelligent predictive monitoring is designed to identify an event about to happen – Real-time processing of sensor information can provide a truly predictive view of infrastructure evolution;
2) Even if an event occurs suddenly or unexpectedly, intelligent predictive monitoring and sensor-based capabilities allow the technical team to isolate the root cause more quickly than with another approach;
3) Intelligent predictive monitoring reduces the technician's exposure to risk;
4) Traditional annual thermography represents an inspection of less than 1% of operational time, leaving 99% dependent on luck;
5) Unlike thermographic inspection, continuous monitoring by sensors can continuously control the most critical operational electrical loads;
6) Periodic inspection means that the collected data remains independent and is not integrated to create dynamic information and actionable insights;
7) Monitoring via IIoT using sensors provides accuracy; periodic inspection and measurement depend on both the equipment's and the operator's ability to correlate the true internal temperature (and therefore are never of uniform quality);
8) Infrared transmission rates through a 'thermal window' can deteriorate significantly over time – this affects the accuracy of temperature readings;
9) Thermal imaging camera manufacturers claim that an essential requirement for obtaining accurate temperature data is that the camera must have a direct line of sight to the driver being inspected (accuracy is compromised by possible obstructions and the fact that thermal windows have variable and deteriorating levels of infrared transmission);
10) A second requirement of thermal imaging camera manufacturers is that the conductor being thermally photographed must operate at a minimum load of 40% of its designed load. For example, if the circuit is designed for 3kA, it must be operating at a minimum of 1.5kA at the time of inspection. This is rarely observed by those performing thermal inspections of electrical equipment and is not known to most equipment owners/operators.
Conclusion
By addressing the shortcomings of traditional monitoring methods, the IIoT with the use of sensors emerges as a superior solution, offering unparalleled precision, continuous operation, and enhanced predictive capabilities. This article not only highlights the critical role of continuous monitoring through sensors in modernizing energy infrastructure management, but also emphasizes its contribution to safety, efficiency, and reliability in the sector.
The adoption of continuous predictive monitoring based on sensors, as clearly outlined in our discussion, is not just an innovation; it is a necessary evolution in how we approach the maintenance and supervision of our energy systems.
With information from: Exertherm
