Electrical Equipment Reliability with Ultrasound

Airborne & structure-borne ultrasound is the most versatile PdM technology available. Typical applications include compressed air leak detection, vacuum leak detection, steam traps, valves, and various condition monitoring applications. One application in particular that has seen the most increase in usage in over the last few years is for electrical inspection of energized electrical components.

Ultrasound is becoming a must have technology for electrical inspections because of how complementary it is to traditional infrared inspections of electrical gear, as well as safety. Ultrasound inspections can typically be done prior to opening energized electrical cabinets. Electrical anomalies detected by ultrasound include corona, tracking, and arcing, and partial discharge.

This paper will discuss what ultrasound technology is and how it is used to inspect electrical equipment such as transformers, switchgear, and substations. Screenshots from a spectrum analysis software of recorded ultrasounds will be inserted to show how proper diagnosis of electrical anomalies is done through ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound Imaging is a term that is used when ultrasounds are recorded onboard an ultrasound instrument and played back in a spectrum analysis software, or viewed in real time onboard the instrument. In either case, they can be viewed in either the time series or the FFT.