By Kasturi Chyau Patnaik

Contents
W hat is thermal imaging? Principles of thermal imaging. Basics of light. Physics of emissivity. Photo-electric effect. Photo multiplier tube. Thermal imaging for substation monitoring. Thermal imaging survey. Thermal signatures can be used in. Advantages. Case study.

Introduction
Electric power utilities: face- aging infrastructure, increasing risk of blackouts and brownouts. By using thermal imaging ,impending equipment failures can be detected anytime.

What is thermal imaging?

Means by which humans can see in the infrared portion of spectrum of light. Detection of objects in total darkness and in very diverse weather conditions.

Principles of thermal imaging

Many components heat up

before they fail. All objects emit thermal radiation in the infrared spectrum unseen to the human eye.

Basics of light
Energy is inversely proportional to wavelength. Violet has most energy and red has least.

Physics of emissivity
Incident light
Absorbed

Transmitted

Reflected

Incident energy

Absorbed energy

Transmitted energy Reflected energy

Photoelectric effect
Emission or ejection of electrons from surface of a metal in response to incidence of light.

Photomultiplier tube
Extremely sensitive detectors of light that multiply the current produced by the incidence of light.

Maintenance and monitoring Maritime and navigation Medical imaging

Applications Volcanology and geological surveys Research

Law enforcement

Night vision

Thermal imaging survey

Capturing thermal images of electrical distribution equipment .

Non-intrusive predictive maintenance technique to identify poor connections and loading related faults.

Overview of substation monitoring system

Thermal signature can be used in: Power transformers. Load tap changers . Insulator bushings. Standoff insulators. Lightning arrestors . Circuit breakers . Control cabinets . Batteries.

Advantages
Unbeatable for Indentifying Electrical Faults. Non-Intrusive and Safe. Reduction in Breakdown Maintenance Costs. Reduction in Insurance Premiums. Reduction in Risk Contingency Budgets.

Some thermal images

Transformer bushings

M.C.B

Fuse end cables

Substation connector

Case study
This thermal image shows a hot connection-measuring 437F.

The infrared camera pinpointed the anomaly immediately.

Conclusion
Thermal imaging system thus:Can safeguard substation and measure temperature differences. Allows to see problems before they become costly failures. Preventing downtime enhancing worker safety.