UTILITY CASE

UTILITY

Electricity Utility Industry sector of the United States includes a extensive array of stakeholders that provide services through:

• Electricity Generation
• Transmission
• Distribution

for industrial, commercial, public and residential customers.

There are 3,300 electric utilities in the United States, of which approximately 1,000 are engaged in power generation and the remainder of mostly smaller utilities engaged only in power distribution.

The U.S. power grid connects about 2.5 million miles of feeder lines and over 450,000 miles of high-voltage transmission lines.

The Problem

The reliability of the U.S. electric power system is critical to the nation’s economic vitality and the well-being of society. Today, that reliability is being challenged, as the infrastructure ages and as incidences of severe weather and other threats to the system increase.

Mechanical Fatigue, Improper installations, reduced or lack of maintenance, resources or funds, all contribute to the potential loss of reliability of the electrical system causing millions of dollars of lost revenue to utilities and their customers.

The Solution

One of the quickest and most targeted approaches to identifying problems in the electrical system is the correct utilization of Infrared Thermographic cameras and lenses with accurate data management software, and IR program oversight and training of personnel.

With over 40 years of focused industry-specific experience worldwide, 

Colbert Infrared provides the correct balance of solutions to match our client’s needs. 

From providing the consulting services for predictive maintenance inspections and program management to customized IR camera solutions and training, we are recognized as leaders on the field when it comes to Infrared Imaging for the Electrical Industry.

Electrical Utility inspections are some of the most changeling applications:

IR Cameras

Small target size combined with long distances means that you must have the correct equipment to meet the demanding needs of electrical inspections. If you don’t have the correct IR sensor resolution paired with the right optics, then you will literally not even see the problems or be able to measure them correctly. Thereby gravely under evaluating the reliability of the system and severity of the problems.

Furthermore, based on the inspection requirements you may need to not only work from a foot, (standing/walking) to scanning from a moving vehicle like a car or truck, to even scanning lines from a Helicopter or a UAV. Couple all of this with an inferior camera and you have a recipe for failure every time.

Data and IR Program Management

An effective IR inspection program is not just about the IR camera, but it is in the quality information it provides. To draw the conclusion that if you have a good hammer, it will build a good house for you would be foolish. The same goes for the quality of your preventive maintenance program. It is in having the correct foundation to build on when it comes to how you work with the data that the IR camera produces. It is in knowing what you are testing, what problems have been found, reconciling past problems with current data, and in workflow management and reporting that it all comes into place.

Colbert Infrared has been developing the synergy in data and workflow management with our database solution Thermal Trend – Lean. It is an industry-specific SQL Database that is designed to help the thermographic with all of the correct information when and where they need it, (In the Field) while at the same time providing our clients with world-class reporting that is unmatched in the industry.

Leading Training Programs, Program Management, and Mentoring

Bringing it all together is what is key when it comes to balancing the requirements for Cameras, applications, data management, and skills development. Colbert Infrared has been tasked worldwide with finding the correct solutions for our customers demanding and ever-changing needs. Our proven innovating solutions has made us the leaders that we are.

Let’s us talk how we can be of service to you! Call us at (206) 568-4431