Detecting Temperature Abnormalities in Bus Ducts Early for More Efficient Maintenance

 

How to quickly detect abnormal patterns of the bus ducts which are difficult to monitor continuously?

"Temperature Monitoring Solutions for Early Detection of Abnormal Overheating in Bus Ducts (Bus bars)"
> Link to Document Download Page


What if you could detect signs of abnormalities in bus ducts (bus bars) quickly during maintenance and inspection work and respond to them at just the right time? Yokogawa DTSX monitoring solution constantly monitors connections that tend to deteriorate over time and contributes by pinpointing abnormality locations and reducing workload of maintenance personnel, helping to ensure stability in plant operations.

 

Overview

Because bus bars are conductors that carry large electrical currents to manufacturing equipment, they are often covered with bus ducts, making visual inspection difficult. In addition, bus ducts (bus bars) are generally routed through ceilings, high places, or under floors, and it is not unusual for maintenance and inspection to require dangerous or harsh conditions.

The Fiber Optic Temperature Sensor DTSX provides a solution that contributes to stable plant operations by enabling efficient and accurate maintenance of bus ducts (bus bars).

 

Fiber Optic  Cable Installed on Bus Duct

Customer Challenges

Loose Bus Bar Connections

Bus bar connections and branches are generally bolted or clamped. A bolted connection, for example, may loosen due to an earthquake or a temperature rise in the bus bar itself, and this can lead to various risks or accidents.

Bus bar connections joined with bolts
Bus bar connections joined with bolts

Power Supply Interruption Risk

If the bolts used in the bus bar connection loosen, this may lead to an increase in electrical resistance in the area, causing temperature to rise. Overheating causes greater electrical resistance, which raises the possibility of operational shutdown due to damage in the bus duct (bus bar) and stoppage of electrical supply.

 

Increased Workload in Maintenance and Inspection

Some methods for maintenance and inspection include attaching thermo labels to bus ducts near bus bar connections and making patrols using thermal cameras. However, bus ducts (bus bars) can be connected several hundred meters in length or more, and visual inspection of such a huge number of connection points is no easy task.

Challenge of Retaining Personnel Due to Harsh Working Environment

In many cases, bus ducts (bus bars) are routed inside factory ceilings, in high places, and under floors. Although the stable operation of bus ducts (bus bars) requires constant monitoring, the working environment is harsh and can be unsuitable for human monitoring, so retaining personnel can be a major challenge.

Bus ducts routed in high places
Bus ducts routed in high places

 

Products & Solutions

1. Constant Monitoring with Optical Fiber Temperature Sensor

DTSX is a temperature sensor that can provide 24 hours, 365 days monitoring of temperature changes over long distances and wide areas using sensing technology that takes advantage of the characteristics of fiber optic cable.

DTXS can be laid out following the path or shape of the object to be measured, so it can be laid on the surface of bus ducts, contributing to predictive maintenance of bus ducts (bus bars).

 

2. Locating Abnormalities without Effects of Electromagnetic Noise

Bus bars that carry large currents cause strong electrical fields around them, making it difficult to measure temperatures with thermocouples or other electrical sensors. Thermal cameras cannot be used to monitor bus bars because they are spread over wide areas and complex routes.

However, DTSX uses fiber optic cables that are unaffected by electromagnetic noise even when subjected to strong electrical fields, so they can accurately and quickly identify abnormal overheating locations, allowing appropriate action to be taken.

 

3. Making Bus Duct (Bus Bar) Maintenance and Inspection More Efficient

DTSX can quickly and accurately monitor temperature distribution every one meter and pinpoint abnormal overheating location, contributing to faster initial response.

If any signs of abnormality are found in the bus duct (bus bar), bolts can be tightened and other work can be performed at the appropriate timing, helping to make maintenance and inspection work more efficient.

 

Anticipated Benefits

-Provides Constant Monitoring Over a Wide Area

It can provide accurate temperature monitoring with no blank areas, even when there are strong electrical fields or complex areas for measurement.

-Enables Predictive Maintenance of Equipment

It provides 24 hours, 365 days monitoring without missing any temperature changes, contributing to predictive maintenance of equipment.

-Contributes to BCP

It prevents power supply shutdowns caused by bus bar temperature abnormalities, minimizing the losses that result from production cuts, late delivery penalties, and lost opportunities.

-Reduces Maintenance Personnel Workload

It optimizes the intervals between inspections, realizing easier workloads for maintenance workers.

 

How Temperature Monitoring with DTSX Works

Measuring Temperature Using the Intensity of Raman Scattered Light

Pulses of light launched into an optical fiber propagates down the fiber while producing backscattered light with different wavelengths from the launch of the light source. The intensity of this light, which is called Raman scattered light, correlates with the temperature, and DTSX uses this to monitor the temperature of the installation site.

Measuring temperature using the intensity of Raman scattered light

 

Pinpoint Measurement Every One Meter

DTSX monitors temperatures at one-meter intervals by calculating the round-trip time and the speed of light launched into an optical fiber. For example, with a 6 km optical fiber, 6,000 temperature points can be measured. Monitoring points can also be pinpointed every one meter.

Pinpoint Measurement Every One Meter

 

Looking for more information on our people, technology and solutions?

Contact Us

Industrien

  • Chemical

    Chemical plants rely on continuous and batch production processes, each posing different requirements for a control system. A continuous process calls for a robust and stable control system that will not fail and cause the shutdown of a production line, whereas the emphasis with a batch process is on having a control system that allows great flexibility in making adjustments to formulas, procedures, and the like. Both kinds of systems need to be managed in available quality history of product, and to be able to execute non-routine operations. With its extensive product portfolio, experienced systems engineers, and global sales and service network, Yokogawa has a solution for every plant process.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Food & Beverage

    At Yokogawa, we understand that today’s food and beverage companies face unprecedented challenges in climate change, consumer demand, and increased global competitiveness. Overcoming these challenges will require innovative solutions that focus on key areas of production, asset management, and food safety and quality.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Iron & Steel

    In the iron and steel industry, it is crucial to improve the quality of not only products but also manufacturing and operation technologies, as well as to address environmental and energy-efficiency issues. Yokogawa helps customers to create the ideal plant and evolves with them for mutual growth.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Mining & Metal

    Mining operations produces valuable minerals or geological materials from the Earth. Economical recovery often requires high throughput and high availability of the process with low operation costs, and stringent safety and environmental regulations.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Power

    In the mid 1970s, Yokogawa entered the power business with the release of the EBS Electric Control System. Since then, Yokogawa has steadfastly continued with the development of our technologies and capabilities for providing the best services and solutions to our customers worldwide.

    Yokogawa has operated the global power solutions network to play a more active role in the dynamic global power market. This has allowed closer teamwork within Yokogawa, bringing together our global resources and industry know-how. Yokogawa's power industry experts work together to bring each customer the solution that best suits their sophisticated requirements.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Pulp & Paper

    The paper and pulp industry is highly competitive and must meet ever-changing market needs. Yokogawa helps realize energy-efficient plants which are globally sustainable.

    Mehr anzeigen
  • Renewable Energy

    Renewable energy helps protect the environment and brings both society and industry closer to the goal of achieving sustainability. However, compared to conventional energy sources, there are certain challenges that stand in the way of its rapid adoption, such as higher production costs and greater instability in the supply of power to the grid. As a leading company in the control and instrumentation business, Yokogawa has always striven to help its customers in various industries achieve stable operations and improve productivity in their plants. We provide solutions for renewable energy applications worldwide, thus contributing to the sustainable development goals.

    Mehr anzeigen

Zugehörige Produkte & Lösungen


Top