I am interested in finding out if anyone is utilizing night vision cameras to complement other PdM techniques. Are there any white papers or other documents available on the subject (specifically on industrial PdM applications rather than the typical military and homeland security apps)? This question was prompted by a presentation at the SMRP conference where night vision found electrical arcing in a high voltage cable.

Thanks!

Shelly,

No direct experience with night vision, but it does not seem to be an appropriate tool to replace or even supplement IR cameras. Refer to this link for a description of operation:

http://x20.org/nightvision/nightvisionTHEORY.htm

Perhaps someone else has been "thinking outside the box" on this topic and can offer an opinion.

Walt

What wavelength band does nightvision operate in? I was under the impression that it is near infrared (between traditional infrared and visibe).

Devices for detecting corona operate in ultraviolet (on the other side of visible).

If all of this is true it will be much less sensitive to thermal hotspots than normal infrared. It will be more sensitive to corona than normal infrared but less sensitive than visible inspection in the dark.

If a connection gets hot enough, then it will glow in the visible spectrum (best visible at night). Clearly that is not sensitive enough. Would near infrared be sensitive enough? Clearly not as sensitive as normal infrared.

I thought I heard once that the near infrared devices like nightvision work with reflected (rather than emitted) radiation. I'm not sure what would be the original source of the radiation in that case. I'm not sure if I'm recalling this part correctly.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: electricpete,

I have an article that Dofasco put together and they used night vision in their high voltage yard in conjunction with IR and you can actually see the arcing with the night vision equipment. I will try to see if I have a copy of it I can upload or email.

I have recently purchased a Corocam 1 which is used at night for the detection of corona, tracking & arching. If this is what your refering to.

Craig

Who was the supplier? Have you found it to be a useful tool so far?

Thanks,
Shelley

I saw the Dofasco presentation as well at the 2005 SMRP conference. That's what peaked my interest. However, when I searched the vendors of this type of equipment, none seemed to promote the technology for high voltage electrical applications.

Here is the link to there web site. They have a full line of equipment to choose from considering there are only two companies in the world to my knowledge that manufacture this type of equipment. One in South Africa and One in Israel. The night time camera came from the company in South Africa. As far as useful goes; to be able to put a picture with the sound is great. Hope this helps.

http://www.corocam.co.za/

Craig