Thermal deviations predict equipment failures
A
QHI Group product story
Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team
Jul 21, 2004
ExerTherm is a unique system developed by Qhi Infrared based on small low-cost plastic-bodied noncontact infra-red sensors, each with an MTBF in excess of 1000 years.
Increasing numbers of electrical power failures causing high downtime costs and even serious safety issues are leading the growing demand for condition monitoring of key electrical switchgear within enclosures.
Over the last decade, the accepted preventive method for key electrical switchgear has been periodic thermal imaging.
The technique has been a significant step forward from conventional inspection with shutdown but still suffers some major shortcomings, predominantly that it is periodic and can only be carried out externally to the switchgear enclosure.
The only real solution is to have a system actually inside, directly and continuously monitoring all key components.
ExerTherm is a unique system developed by Qhi Infrared based on small low-cost plastic-bodied noncontact infra-red sensors, each with an MTBF in excess of 1000 years.
The sensors, which require no external power, are fitted inside the enclosure and can monitor any component 24/7, irrespective of location.
Sensors are linked via data acquisition cards to a PC, providing ongoing trend analysis, which can identify a potential problem at a very early stage.
Further protection is provided via two separate alarm levels per sensor, which automatically activate in the event of preset temperature levels being exceeded.
As well as new build, ExerTherm can be fitted to existing systems and subsequently expanded.
Systems can be as low as16 sensing points up to several thousand.
It will work as a stand-alone system or link to over 250 BMS systems.
The latest ExerTherm development is wireless telemetry and machine-to-machine communication (M2M), allowing all key sites to be monitored 24/7, from one central location.
Data collected can be transferred via intranet, Internet or cellphone, linking all buildings in large scale manufacturing plant, sites throughout the country, even inter-continental.
It also means an end to unnecessary routine visits to unmanned sites, only sending out engineers when required.
Although originally designed to monitor electrical switchgear, virtually all key plant can be continually monitored on the same system, using either IR, contact or air sensors.
Typical key plant would be pumps, motors, bearings, gearboxes steam traps, air/refrigeration systems - indeed anything which increases or decreases in temperature as a symptom of fault or malfunction.
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