Busbars, Trunking and Cables

 

View of three phase busbar system at busbar joint


This fault was first identified by noticing a change of temperature on the surface of the busbar trunking,. To identify the exact location and cause of the problem the busbar trunking was removed to reveal this faulty busbar connection. The temperature on this fault was 95o C

View of the busbar connection to a LT breaker


This image indicates an internal fault in the breaker. The nuts an bolts at the busbar connection are clearly visible and are cooler than the busbars due to radiation from a greater surface area. Identifying this fault saved a major unexpected breakdown allowing maintenance staff to prepare for repair of the breaker thus avoiding unscheduled down time and risk of damaging adjacent equipment

View of single core cables connected to a busbar


Notice the heat on the bolts connecting the lug to the busbars, this would be caused by a loose connection. A similar heat pattern is caused by heating of the bolts from internal eddy currents, this is often the case when using mild steel bolts.

View of faulty lug crimp


This is a very common fault and an example of faults identified by using infra red thermography this would not have been identified during a routine visual maintenance inspection as the temperature was not high enough to cause noticeable changes.