Electrical asset reliability
Sound is one of the first indications of an electrical problem. Traditionally, faulty components are detected based on the heat they emit, but sound appears even before the components begin to heat up. Sound contains information which, when correctly interpreted, will indicate if the sound is normal or causes a risk and how you should react to it.
This sound, which is both sonic and ultrasonic, is caused by partial discharges, i.e. electrical discharges that signal the harmful flow of electricity and deteriorate components over time. The effects of partial discharge produce airborne ultrasound signals, easily detectable with SoundCam Ultra. Find sources of partial discharge on all types of high voltage electrical assets – switchgear, transformers, overhead lines and underground cables etc.
In fact, partial discharges are related to nearly 85% of disruptive failures in high-voltage and medium-voltage assets, causing costly network outages and safety hazards. Early detection is the best way to avoid the components’ complete, possibly fatal failure caused by the electrical stress of partial discharges.