The UV Imager is a localized discharge phenomenon that occurs when the charged body's local voltage stress surpasses the critical value, causing the air to become free and resulting in the corona discharge. Corona, flashover, and arcing are common occurrences in high-voltage power equipment owing to inadequate design, production, installation, and maintenance. The electrons in the air continually gain and release energy during the discharge process, and when the electrons release energy (i.e. discharge), UV light is released, hence the UV imager is usually used for general maintenance and inspection of substations and lines. The utilization of the mini UV camera in completing maintenance and inspection of substations and lines will be discussed in the following article.
The UV imager's job is to identify corona discharges and surface partial discharges that aren't visible to the naked eye and occur outside of the visible spectrum. Partial discharges (corona discharges) indicate the electric field distribution of active equipment and are a complement to infrared thermography, which reflects the distribution of temperature fields and can identify equipment faults associated with overheating. The UV picture reflects the distribution of the electric field in space and can identify equipment flaws that cause the electric field to be abnormal. The UV imager can identify most exterior insulation and associated problems in power system transmission and substation equipment. Here's a rundown of some of the UV imager's applications.
It may be used to decide at a distance in an efficient, safe, and reliable manner.
1. The source of corona discharges and partial discharges on the surface.
2. On the pillar insulators, there are some microscopic fissures.
3. An online examination of the insulation's surface conductivity (degree of fouling).
4. Thermal imaging electrical inspections: detection of flashover traces on operating electrical equipment's exterior insulators.
5. Inspection and approval of the layout, structure, installation process, and design of high-voltage live equipment, such as difficulties with manufacturing and installation quality of equalisation rings, wire strains, loose strands, and other issues (**method of inspection).
6. In high-voltage transmission lines, clearly see corona discharges generated by broken strands, severe corrosion, and tiny wire widths.
7. Locate high-voltage transmission line discharge locations that cause communication line interference. When the frequency of high harmonics in the current coincides with the frequency of the communication line, substantial interference can result, and the instrument can be used to find discharge locations and reduce interference.
8. Rapid identification of conductive things that may be lapping on high-voltage transmission and transformer equipment, such as metal cables.
9. Detection of carbonised synthetic insulator tracts in real time.
10. Finding equipment flaws such as damaged synthetic insulators, soiling, bird dropping contamination, equalization ring discharge, and so on.
The implementation of this system will considerably improve the power system's safety and efficiency, as well as provide significant direct and indirect advantages.
