Swimming Robot Brings Visibility to Power Transformers
A new swimming robot will help operators of power transformers by carrying out inspections without putting technicians at risk of manual entry.
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(Photo Credit ABB website) |
As high-value and
critical assets, it’s important to know the condition of power transformers.
Unplanned outages can have a huge impact on availability of power and
reputation.
Because many transformers are more than three decades old, they have experienced a lot
of wear and tear. Over the years, overvoltages and short circuits can damage
tap changers, windings, insulation, gaskets and seals.
Swimming robot
ABB’s TXplore
swimming robot can capture high quality photos and video from inside
transformers. The robot is a little smaller than a football and has smooth,
rounded surfaces and wireless control and data connectivity to avoid getting
snagged.
Bright on-board
lights ensure that the robot will capture clear photography, even when age has
darkened the oil.
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(Photo Credit ABB website) |
Eliminates risks of traditional approach
This compares with
the traditional manual way to carry out transformer inspections.
This requires draining and storing oil before sending in a technician into the interior.
This requires draining and storing oil before sending in a technician into the interior.
The new approach
avoids risk of:
- injury to technicians
- damaging sensitive
interior components
- potential for oil spills
and damage to the environment.
This article was extracted form the ABB website. See below link to full video.
Link To Video
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