Online condition monitoring and diagnostics of power distribution equipment

Continuous online temperature monitoring provides the means to evaluate current condition of equipment and detect abnormality. It allows corrective measures to be taken to prevent upcoming failure. Continuous temperature monitoring and event recording provides information on the energized equipment's response to normal and emergency conditions. On-line temperature monitoring helps to coordinate equipment specifications and ratings, determine the real limits of the monitored equipment and optimize facility operations. Using wireless technique eliminates any need for special cables and wires with lower installation costs if compared to other types of online condition monitoring equipment. In addition, wireless temperature monitoring works well under difficult conditions in strategically important locations. Wireless technology for online condition monitoring of energized equipment is applicable both as standalone system and with an interface with power quality monitoring system. The paper presents the results of wireless temperature monitoring of switchgear at a power plant over a two-year period.