Detection of Hot Spots by Thermal Imaging to Protect Power Equipment’s

Abstract

This paper aims at conducting automated periodical tests in a power plant or transformer and thus eliminates the risk of the damage caused by hot spots. Hot spots in an Industrial plant are major hazards that may lead to the complete replacement of equipment if left undetected for a long time. The principle of our paper is as follows - Any object above 0 K emits infrared radiations. An infrared camera is a device that records such radiations emitted and the intensity of such radiations shall represent the temperature of the source emitting those radiations. The image captured using Infrared camera is processed using Matlab to detect the temperature of the hot spot without direct contact measurement. The temperature measured serves as a base to calculate the severity of the arcing that is developed and thus commission the plant accordingly. The identification and the possible elimination of Hot Spots in time can safeguard many a equipment in an industrial plant. It helps to avoid unscheduled outages and the consequence monetary loss. Thus by prior detection of the hot spots, the plant is safeguarded and entire replacement of the plant components will be made obsolete.