Thermography (2)

3. System Applications

3.1 Electrical System Applications
The primary value of thermographic inspections of electrical systems is locating problems so that they can be diagnosed and repaired. “How hot is it?” is usually of far less importance. Once the problem is located, thermography and other test methods, as well as experience and common sense, are used to diagnose the nature of the problem.

The following list contains just a few of the possible electrical system-related survey applications:

• Transmission lines
- Splices
- Shoes/end bells

• Inductive heating problems
- Insulators

• Cracked or damaged/tracking

• Distribution lines/systems
- Splices
- Line clamps
- Disconnects
- Oil switches/breakers
- Capacitors
- Pole-mounted transformers
- Lightning arrestors
- Imbalances

• Substations
- Disconnects, cutouts, air switches
- Oil-filled switches/breakers (external and internal faults)
- Capacitors
- Transformers

• Internal problems

• Bushings

• Oil levels

• Cooling tubes

• Lightning arrestors
- Bus connections

• Generator Facilities
- Generator

• Bearings

• Brushes

• Windings

• Coolant/oil lines: blockage
- Motors

• Connections

• Bearings

• Winding/cooling patterns

• Motor Control Center

• Imbalances

• In-Plant Electrical Systems
- Switchgear
- Motor Control Center
- Bus
- Cable trays
- Batteries and charging circuits
- Power/Lighting distribution panels