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Substation Monitoring

Continuous thermal substation monitoring solution that helps to identify anomalies, alarm on critical issues, and provide trended data on the asset status.

Transformers | Circuit Breakers | Bushings | Arrestors | Disconnectors

Understanding the thermal profile of critical components in an electrical substation is crucial. Electrical resistance in these components can cause them to degrade over time – sometimes quickly. When current passes over these degraded areas, the energy is given off as heat. Thermal imaging allows you to “see” these issues, identifying potential faults.

Implementing Viper Imaging Substation Monitoring improves the reliability of power delivery systems while reducing maintenance costs. Avoid those expenses associated with unplanned maintenance and systems operation restoration.

Why continuous monitoring is so much better than spot checks

Thermal imaging camera systems are the ideal solution for identifying problems before failure occurs. Traditional monitoring of substation equipment utilizes handheld thermal imaging cameras to conduct spot checks. This method is ineffective due to the limitations of both time and the workforce to conduct such inspections – not to mention the safety risk to personnel. Manual inspection certainly has the potential to miss warning signs of impending failure.

With continuous monitoring, data is collected from your site over time and analyzed by ViperVision software to identify trends and anomalies. As opposed to a single snapshot, you get:

  • more granular data
  • more informed decision-making
  • improved reliability
  • reduced maintenance costs
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Viper substation monitoring fixed and pan/tilt

CYA: Cover Your Assets

Cameras are mounted in a variety of locations to provide the best measurement characteristics possible. Options are Fixed, mounted on Pan/Tilt device, or a combination of the two (illustrated here).

See ViperVision screen recording showing pan/tilt route configuration to the customer’s substation monitoring application. At 3 tour stops, notice ROI (regions of interest) resets, adjustments to measurement parameters for alarms, and more.

These images and data are captured by FLIR thermal cameras and processed with ViperVision software. (Note: Video playback is at 2x speed.)

ViperVision Software

Central Hub of your Monitoring System

FLIR thermal cameras are integrated with ViperVision software to directly communicate with your industrial control platform, such as SCADA, PLC, OPC, DNP3, Modbus, Allen-Bradley, and Siemens.

  • Create and control scan routes
  • Monitor multiple assets in real-time
  • Identify hot spots and changing rates of thermal heating
  • Control camera function and data transfer
  • Interpret the data
  • Email reporting of data and images

Ready to learn more about this great solution?

Viper Imaging substation monitoring_ViperVision

The customizable display can be set to show only pertinent information and data critical to your process. Other options include a cloud-based interface and customized reporting.

Hardware Options

Camera Considerations

How to select the right camera for the job

Spot size ratio is the calculation of how far the camera can be from a target of a given size and still obtain accurate temperature measurement. Viper engineers ensure data is obtained from an accurate measurement range. Click here to learn what you need to know about spot size ratio.

FLIR A400_A700 series
FLIR A400_A700 series

FLIR A400/500/700 series

FLIR A50/70 image

FLIR A50/70 series

FLIR A400_A700 seriesFLIR A50/70 image

FLIR A50

FLIR A70

FLIR A400

FLIR A500

FLIR A700

Thermal Resolution

464 x 348

640 x 480

320 x 240

464 x 348

640x 480

Lens

Fixed

(29°, 50°, 95°)

Interchangeable

(6°, 14°, 24°, 42°)

Focus

Manual

Motorized

Temp. Range

up to 550°C

(1022°F)

up to 2000°C

(3632°F)

Dual Streaming

(data & VMS)

Yes

Yes

Visible Camera

Optional

Optional

Wireless

Optional

Optional

These fixed-mount camera solutions can tackle the most complex remote monitoring objectives. Click here to visit product listing.

Provides consistent readings over time, eliminating any guesswork from data analysis. Click here to visit product listing.

Hardware Options

Environmental Considerations

A Viper Imaging substation monitoring system utilizes FLIR cameras integrated with ViperVision software – which directly communicates with most industrial platform controllers. The software analyzes and compares the camera data against predefined parameters and triggers an alarm if warranted. Note that these parameters can be adjusted based on your specific application needs. Viper Imaging provides solutions for Class I and Class II environments that are Division 1 or 2.

Additional System Options: Mobile – Quick Deploy System | Solar Power | Pole/Tower (fixed or extendable) | Trailer Mount

3 Levels of environmental protection

  1. IP hood and sunshade (IP66 rating)
  2. Medium-duty housing
  3. ViperVenom (IP67 rating)
IP hood and sunshade

Pan/Tilt Mount

  • Minimize the number of cameras needed
  • Gain ability to set an automated route
  • PoE version available for ease of installation
ViperVenom Compact on Pan/Tilt

Processing Options

  • On-premise processor
  • Cloud-based analytics and storage
processor

Images of Viper's System Solution

In conclusion, Viper Imaging substation monitoring systems integrate FLIR thermal imaging cameras with powerful ViperVision software to provide continuous monitoring. As a result, customers can count on improved reliability and reduced risk.

Temperature variations in system components are monitored by the system which can alarm, providing early warnings. Therefore, you get more informed maintenance planning and less risk of catastrophic failure.

Hardware as a Service (HaaS)

Lease

Purchase

Rental

Upfront costs

$

$

$$$

$$

Monthly fee

Yes

Yes

N/A

Varies

Equipment ownership

Viper

Viper initially, then transitions to Customer

Customer

Viper

Contract term

3-year (renewable)

2, 3, or 5 year

Paid with order

Weekly or Monthly

Annual on-site routine maintenance & calibration checks

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Quarterly service plan

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

ViperVision software upgrades

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Critical spares in consignment

Yes

Optional

Optional

N/A

Key Benefits

  • Instant notification alarm for temperature beyond preset parameters
  • Improved reliability of electric power delivery
  • Reduced maintenance costs and enhanced personnel safety
  • Reliable and rugged system
  • Easy integration into existing plant control system
  • Provides quantitative temperature readout and remote thermal monitoring for plant management
  • Some customers report an insuarnce premium discount because of the increased reliability

For your people

For your company

For your equipment

Interested in Viper’s System Solution?