Why Acoustic Imaging for Partial Discharge Detection

Locate Partial Discharge Quickly

FLIR Si-Series Acoustic Imaging Cameras, offer advanced sound-based solutions for detecting and analyzing industrial issues such as faults, deterioration, and defects, including partial discharge. Remarkably, sound anomalies generated by partial discharge often precede temperature increases that are detectable by thermal imaging cameras. This grants an added layer of early detection for potential future failures.

While it's not uncommon to hear humming or buzzing near power lines, partial discharge is typically beyond the range of human hearing, rendering them exceptionally challenging to pinpoint. This is especially true in noisy work environments with elevated background noise levels. By utilizing a handheld acoustic imaging camera, similar to a thermal imaging camera, users can scan an area and visualize the precise location of ultrasonic sounds generated by partial discharge on a digital image of the inspected components, regardless of whether these sounds are inaudible or concealed by background noise.

Partial Discharge Diagnostics — Essential for Predictive Maintenance

The identification of partial discharge is an indispensable component of an efficient Condition-Based Monitoring (CBM) or Predictive Maintenance (PdM) strategy. Detecting partial discharge at an early stage is critical as it minimizes potential damage to insulators and significantly reduces the risk of equipment failure, consequently, mitigating downtime.

Achieve Quick ROI

The financial rationale for proactively addressing partial discharge is straightforward: it proves to be a far more cost-effective and less disruptive approach to identify and address partial discharge issues, strategically plan scheduled downtime, and undertake necessary repairs and replacements for insulators and electrical components.