An Exciting new service from Advanced Energy Solutions!
Advanced Energy Solutions is proud to announce a new and valuable service being offered. Acoustic Ultrasonic Diagnostics is now available to all our clients!
How does ultrasound work?
Arcing, tracking and corona discharge emits ultrasound at the source of the problem. This resulted ultrasound can be located with an ultrasound detection system. This system receives ultrasound waves, which cannot be detected by the human ear, and records them. These recordings are plotted as a Spectogram which allows easy measurement and visualization of the sounds. The file can also be played back within the range of human hearing- allowing a qualitative asessment as well.
What type of equipment would benefit from an ultrasound inspection?
Mid and High Voltage: A greater potential for catastrophic failure occurs in equipment of 1000V or greater.
Low Voltage: In equipment below 1000V, arcing is the main concern. Although arcing is usually accompanied by heat, an infrared inspection will not always detect arcing in covered equipment. In these cases, arcing can be heard through air vents and other panel cover openings making the combination of ultrasound and infrared inspections very effective.
All forms of mechanical equipment- see below
What types of problems will an ultrasonic inspection detect?
Arcing: Occurs in all voltages. All forms of arcing, (including tracking), affect the quality of power. In addition, arcing through air or through bulk insulation destroys electrical power equipment.
Corona: Occurs through damaged insulation material when conductors of 1000V or more begin to ionize the air, forming ozone (O3). Ozone will conduct current and can form a direct path to ground, resulting in catastrophic results, especially in enclosed switchgear. Corona also produces nitrogen exides which form nitric acid when combined with moisture. This acid further destroys the insulating material as well as metal components causing possible thermal problems.
Tracking: Often referred to as "Baby arcing," tracking follows the path of damaged or dirty insulation across component surfaces. Tracking occurs most often in medium to high voltage equipment (1-kV or greater)
Partial Discharge: Occurs inside electrical components such as transformers and insulated buss bars. It is affected by and causes insulation deterioration.
Mechanical Noise: Can be indicative of serious problems in some electrical systems such as transformer coils.
Bearings and Moving Equipment: Ultrasonic inspection and monitoring of bearings is by far the most reliable method for detecting incipient bearing failure. The ultrasonic warning appears prior to a rise in temperature or an increase in low frequency vibration levels. Ultrasonic inspection of bearings is useful in recognizing:
a. The beginning of fatigue failure.
b. Brinelling of bearing surfaces.
c. Flooding of or lack of lubricant.
Leaks in Pressurized Systems: Leak detection in pressure and vacuum systems such as, boilers, heat exchangers, condensers, chillers, fuel cells, tanks, pipes, hydraulic systems, compressed air audits, and specialty gas systems.
Detection of cavitation in all types of fluid pumping systems
Advanced Energy Solutions offers a detailed report following any Ultrasonic Survey. Contained within the report are Spectrograms allowing you to see and evaluate the ultrasonic emissions from the equipment.
Other companies only offer a qualitative judgment of the observed sounds- we provide the detailed measurements allowing tracking of all equipment for future comparisons- long term trending becomes possible. All sound recordings are provided as well. Sound files can be coverted and played within the range of human hearing!
All equipment used has been built and developed by Advanced Energy Solutions to allow for the most detail possible in our recordings/measurements. No other company offers the same technology.
Contact us today for your free quote!
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