Friday, 12 July 2013

ULTRASONIC TESTING OF STEAM TRAPS

Major steam trap manufacturers have recommended ultra sound inspection of steam traps as one of the most reliable methods available. By converting the ultrasonic elements of a working steam trap into the audible range, ultrasound allows users to hear through headphones and see on a display/ meter the exact condition of a steam trap while it is on line. Blow-by, machine gunning, oversized traps or line blockages are all easily detected. Frequency tuning enhances the ability to discriminate between condensate and steam.
 If you would like more information on ultrasonic surveys on stram traps please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk 
 
 

 

Thursday, 11 July 2013

ULTRASONIC BEARING INSPECTION

Bearing Inspection & Monitoring detects the earliest stage of bearing failure. Research has demonstrated that ultrasound bearing monitoring will locate potential bearing failure long before it is detected by traditional heat and vibration methods. Using ultrasound testing the user hears the sound quality of a bearing as well as monitor amplitude changes on the display/ meter. This provides the ability to trend, trouble shoot and confirm potential bearing problems. We can undertake this on oil platforms and wind turbines etc.
If you would like more information on ultrasonic surveys on Bearings please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk  

ULTRASONIC SURVEYS ON VALVES

Mechanical valve activity such as blockage or leakage can be accurately checked while the valve is on line. Properly seated valves are relatively quiet while leaking valves produce a turbulent flow as the fluid moves from the high pressure side through the leak to the low pressure side. Due to a wide sensitivity and ultrasonic frequency selection range, all types of valves even in noisy environments can be accurately tested for leaks via ultrasonic surveys
If you would like more information on ultrasonic surveys on Valves please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk

ULTRASONIC ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS

One of the main uses for ultrasonictesting is on electrical switchgear, transformers; buss bars circuit breakers, relays, junction boxes, insulators, and other electrical gear. Arcing & corona discharge produce ultrasound at the site of emission. These electrical discharges can be located quickly by scanning an area with our Ultrasound equipment. The signal is heard as a buzzing sound in the headset. As with pressure or vacuum leak detection, the closer the instrument is to the discharge, the more intense the signal.
f you would like more information on ultrasonic surveys on powerlines please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk


Wednesday, 10 July 2013

ULTRASONIC SURVEYS ON POWERLINES

Due to the larger distances involved ultrasonic surveys on high power voltage lines the sensitivity of the instrument is enhanced by using a parabolic signal concentrator ultrasonic testing is extremely valuable for inspections of highvoltage electrical systems (above 2,000V). It is essential that these systems have properly functioning insulation systems.
Failure of these systems can result in catastrophic faults. Deterioration of high voltage insulation produces an electrical leakage known as corona or partial discharge. This condition causes ionization of the surrounding air. The ionization process produces ultrasound which is easily picked up by our ultrasonic equipment allowing for speedy remeadial works and prevention of down time.
 
If you would like more information on ultrasonic surveys on powerlines please contact us now at: info@aptsoundtesting.co.uk

ULTRASONIC TESTING ON MECHANICAL AND ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

What problems can be identified by ultrasonic testing?
Most mechanical and electrical faults will generate ultrasound. Such faults include bearing and gear defects as well as mechanical looseness. Ultrasonic testing generally provides earlier warning of these types of faults than vibration or infrared thermal tests. Other mechanical faults that are found by ultrasonic testing include:
    • Ultrasonic survey of high voltage power lines
    • Ultrasonic survey for Electrical Inspections
    • Ultrasonic survey of Valves
    • Ultrasonic survey of Valve Stems
    • Ultrasonic survey of Pressure/Vacuum Leaks
    • Ultrasonic survey of Steam Traps
    • Ultrasonic survey of Reciprocating Compressor Valves
    • Ultrasonic survey of Bearing Inspection/Monitoring
    • Ultrasonic survey to Prevent over-lubrication
    • Ultrasonic survey of General Mechanical Inspections
    • Ultrasonic survey to Heat Exchangers, Boilers & Condensers
    • Ultrasonic survey for Heat Exchangers
We will go into more depth in regards to the uses for ultrasound surveys in the following blogs, however if you would like more information please contact us at: aptsoundtesting.co.uk/ultrasonictesting.html
 

WHAT IS ULTRASONIC TESTING?


Many electrical and mechanical problems produce sound and vibration at ultrasonic frequencies (greater than 20kHz). Unfortunately, these sounds are not audible by the human ear. These sounds can be detected by ultrasonic listening instruments. As a result these versatile instruments have been integrated into our Predictive Testing Service.
 
Ultrasonic testing is used in two ways in our Predictive Testing Service. First, it permits us to identify faults that cannot be detected by either infrared or vibration tests. Second, it permits an independent verification of problems that can be detected by the infrared or vibration tests.
 
If you would like more information in regards to ultrasonic testing please contact us at info@aptthermography.net