Ultrasonic acoustic imaging camera sees sounds
Maintenance staff can visualise sound with the Flir Si124 industrial acoustic imaging camera. It produces a precise acoustic image that is overlaid in real time on top of a digital camera picture. The blended image is presented live on screen, visually displaying ultrasonic information and allowing the user to accurately pinpoint the source of the sound.
Acoustic imaging is used for air leak detection and locating partial discharge from high voltage systems. Using sound imaging from 124 built-in microphones, the Flir Si124 can help professionals identify leaks and partial discharge up to 10 times faster than with traditional methods, says the company.
Compressed air is the single most expensive energy source across all factory types, yet up to one-third of this precious commodity is via leaks and inefficiencies. The human ear can sometimes hear an air leak in a quiet environment, but in a typical industrial environment it is impossible to hear even bigger leaks due to loud background noise. The Si124 filters out the industrial noise, allowing professionals to visualise sound even in noisy environments.
In electrical systems, partial discharge can lead to equipment failures and unplanned downtime. The Si124 allows professionals to detect problems at distances of up to 100 meters and analyse discharge patterns. The camera classifies three partial discharge types, including surface discharge, floating discharge and discharge into the air. Knowing the type and severity of the discharge enables the facility to schedule maintenance to minimise failures and downtime.
The Si124 has access to the Flir Acoustic Camera Viewer cloud service. Image captures are quickly uploaded over Wi-Fi to the cloud service and then immediately analysed, providing the user in-depth information such as the size and energy cost of a compressed air leak, or the partial discharge classification and pattern of an electric fault. Users get 8Gbytes of storage and wireless data transfer capabilities, making sharing photos and data simple and efficient.
The Si124 requires minimal training and can be used one-handed, says Flir. A regular maintenance routine enables users to identify issues quickly to minimise downtime and help utilities keep the power flowing and manufacturing operations going.
