10 Reasons to Abandon Manual Thermography of Electrical Infrastructure

In the rapidly evolving landscape of electrical power infrastructure management, the advent of sensor-based predictive smart monitoring represents a significant advancement.

Traditional methods, such as annual thermography and periodic inspections, have long been the standard in maintaining and monitoring electrical systems. However, these approaches are increasingly recognized as insufficient in the face of growing demands for reliability, safety and efficiency in energy distribution.

As the industry moves towards smarter and more proactive solutions, the role of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) with intelligence, preventative fault detection and operational optimization becomes undeniably crucial.

Here are 10 reasons why you should ditch annual electrical infrastructure thermography and use sensor-based continuous predictive smart monitoring:

1) Predictive smart monitoring is designed to identify an event about to happen – Processing real-time information from sensors can provide insight into the evolution of infrastructure in a truly predictive way;

2) Even if an event occurs suddenly or unexpectedly, predictive smart monitoring and sensor-based capabilities allow technical staff to isolate the root cause faster than another approach;

3) Predictive intelligent monitoring reduces technician 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 sensor monitoring can continuously control the most critical operational electrical loads;

6) Periodic inspection means that the data collected remains independent and is not integrated to create dynamic information and actionable insights;

7) Monitoring through IIoT with the use of sensors provides precision; periodic inspection and measurement depend on both the ability of the equipment and the operator to correlate the true internal temperature (and are therefore 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) Manufacturers of thermal imaging cameras state that an essential requirement for obtaining accurate temperature data is that the camera must have direct line of sight to the driver being inspected (accuracy is compromised by possible obstructions and the fact that windows thermals have variable and deteriorating levels of infrared transmission);

10) A second requirement of thermal imaging camera manufacturers is that the conductor being thermally imaged must operate with a minimum load of 40% of the design 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 who perform thermal inspections of electrical equipment and is not known to most equipment owners/operators.

Conclusion

By addressing the shortcomings of traditional monitoring methods, IIoT with the use of sensors emerges as a superior solution, offering unparalleled accuracy, 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 sensor-based continuous predictive monitoring, as clearly outlined in our discussion, is not just an innovation; It is a necessary evolution in the way we approach the maintenance and oversight of our energy systems.

With information: Exertherm