Combining Infrared, Ultrasonic & Power Quality

Energy NZ has trained and certified staff in both thermal imaging and ultrasound. This enables Energy NZ to provide quantitative inspections for all plant electrical, mechanical and process equipment in accordance with the latest edition of Infraspection Institute’s Standard for Infrared Inspection of Electrical Systems & Rotating Equipment.

Energy NZ’s thermographers are appropriately qualified and experienced to undertake infrared thermography surveys of the following areas:

Electrical distribution systems (including supply transformers)

• Electrical components such as main switches, contactors, overloads and circuit protection devices
• Power factor correction equipment
• Electric motors
• Gearboxes, bearings, belt drives
• Process heating and cooling equipment
• Refrigeration and HVAC systems
• Furnaces, kilns, ovens and reactors

Thermal imaging technology does not have the ability to see heat through materials such as metal, glass and plastic. As such, where electrical connections cannot be accessed, Energy NZ is able to use ultrasonic detectors which are sensitive to sound beyond the limits of normal human hearing (20 Hz – 20,000 Hz) and can therefore detect faults such as electrical arcing, tracking and corona in inaccessible and high voltage electrical distribution systems and supply transformers.

Power quality issues such as poor power factor and harmonics can lead to overheating of electrical distribution systems and power factor correction equipment. Where detected electrical abnormalities are found which may be attributed to power quality issues, measurements will be taken using 3-phase power quality analysers.