Ultrasound World V (2009)

Ultrasound World V Program Abstracts

Abstract:  In today's world of shrinking budgets and increased costs, Manufacturing facilities are shifting focus to find ways to become more reliable and increase production. Instituting modern Condition Based Maintenance (CBM) programs into these facilities has gone a long way towards keeping many companies viable in a highly competitive marketplace.

A key component of such programs is the use of Airborne Ultrasonic testing. This technology enables the Analyst to listen for possible defects that are virtually invisible to the other senses or due to equipment configuration that is not conducive to other testing methods. 

During such an inspection of a High Voltage substation that was experiencing sporadic outages; Airborne Ultrasound was used to locate high levels of Tracking in the electrical system. A subsequent shutdown and visual inspection uncovered extensive damage to the electrical components. The use of Airborne Ultrasound in this case prevented a possible catastrophic failure of the facility power supply, saving the company from large production and revenue losses . 

This paper is the history of that event.

Bio:  Paul Wright, Level II Thermographer, The Snell Group
Paul is a Level II Thermographer who performs infrared and airborne/structure borne ultrasound surveys for the Snell Inspections.  He has worked as an electrician for 6 years. For 5 years prior to that, he was a maintenance mechanic.  For the last 3 years he's been involved with predictive maintenance activities that  include airborne ultrasonic surveys.  His hobbies include historic home restoration and landscaping.