Ultrasonic imaging is a relatively new technology that can help industrial companies maximise uptime, efficiency and safety, with applications in the detection of compressed air discharge or leaks, as well as electrical discharge and condition monitoring in the power generation sector.

RS Components (RS), a trading brand of Electrocomponents, a global omni-channel provider of product and service solutions, is now shipping a new ultrasonic-imaging camera from FLIR, makers of intelligent sensing products for industrial markets.

The FLIR Si124 offers intelligent analytics that enable automatic recognition of air leaks in compressor systems and partial discharge in high-voltage electrical systems. This built-in analytics capability is designed to make the device highly intuitive and easy to use, reducing the need for extensive training. The user is guided through the inspection process with algorithms automatically detecting and analysing electric-discharge effects or quantifying air-leak loss rate and cost. 

The unit is lightweight and can be operated with only one hand, and it offers long-life battery power that provides up to seven hours of non-contact operation. Both these features help to reduce user fatigue and ensure safe all-day scanning.

The camera is specifically suited for use by professionals responsible for maintenance programmes, electricians dealing with high voltages, contractors, and service technicians. The Si124 enables users to ‘see’ anomalies, locate inefficiencies, and predict possible failures in mechanical, electrical, vacuum and compressor systems – all in real time.

The unit is said to be a highly efficient device that can quickly detect compressed air leaks up to 10 times faster, using ultrasound imaging rather than traditional methods. The unit senses, displays and records sound waves from 2 kHz to 31 kHz by means of a 124 x 124 microphone array. Another key feature of the unit is its onboard storage capability and its connectivity to the cloud to provide real-time quantification and reporting.

The FLIR Si124 is available in three models:

• Si124-LD exclusively for leak-detection applications
• Si124-PD for electric utility applications
• Si124, which detects both compressed air leaks and partial discharge

The ultrasonic-imaging cameras are available from RS South Africa and across sub-Saharan Africa.