Thermographic Inspection window on MV switchgears

[NickParker]

Typically where do the Thermographic inspection windows for MV (Medium Voltage) switchgear are installed; on the front door of the circuit breaker (CB) compartment or on the door of the cable compartment? What are the pros and cons of installing a thermographic window on the front door of the CB compartment versus on the door of the cable compartment?

 

[LionelHutz]

Well, you typically can't see any connections from the front of a MV breaker so it'd be useless there.

 

[Gr8blu]

As mentioned in another post - the purpose of the IR window is to see something specific. Usually, this means a bolted connection point or some other point of contact (for example, breaker stab meeting internal bus as a sliding contact). The window needs to be in such a position that the area of interest is visible - in a straight line from point to window to observer.

 

[rockman7892]

Well, you typically can't see any connections from the front of a MV breaker so it'd be useless there.

I have seen windows on front for viewing breaker position indicator on breaker, but to your point not useful for IR scans.

 

[LionelHutz]

I have seen windows on front for viewing breaker position indicator on breaker, but to your point not useful for IR scans.

This thread is specifically about thermal viewing windows, so it should have been obvious I was posting about that.

 

[jraef]

How thorough do you want to be and how much are you willing to spend for it? If there is only going to be ONE window for IR scanning, it is typically put on the termination compartment, because that is the most common point of failure. The breaker, if it in vacuum, is harder to scan as far as looking at the contacts, but that can be measured more easily during PM routines, where the breaker is drawn out. But I have certainly seen where some users want IR scanning windows on the breaker or switch compartment, as well as the CT/VT compartment, breaker tulips etc.