UrBC, Yekaterinburg, February 22, 2019. Federal Grid Company United Energy Systems had its 500-kilowatt Surgutskaya Power Station-Pyt-Yakh Main tested with infrared appliances, FGC UES Western Siberia’s PR & Media Group reports.

The main got examined with a thermal imaging unit (from a helicopter). The testing confirmed that the main is fully ready to handle maximum workloads at peak times.

‘The infrared diagnostics’ main advantage is that you can measure the temperature of spots where the cables intersect with shield wires remotely; this means the entire main can get safely inspected without getting shut down first. Unlike the electrical measurement method, infrared testing takes less time to complete, produces higher-precision results, and makes it possible to inspect even the least accessible spots. The infrared examination can be done both on the ground and from a helicopter, as well as with off-road vehicles,’ the company says.

FGC UES Western Siberia’s engineers had fifty-two 110- to 500-kilowatt electric mains (total length: 4,000 km) infrared tested last year. Very close attention got paid to the lines involved in the transfer of power from Surgutskaya Power Station 1, Surgutskaya Power Station 2, Tyumen Heat & Power Station 1, Tyumen Heat & Power Station 2, and Reftinskaya Power Station.