Helping protect from solar radiation.

High-energy radiation from the sun’s surface can cause radio and magnetic disturbances on Earth, potentially disrupting power supplies and damaging transformers.

Several of Vaisala’s online transformer monitoring solutions have been installed by Elimpus Ltd., on behalf of Scottish Power to provide real-time condition updates. In one application, the Optimus DGA Monitor OPT100 will provide continuous updates on Scottish Power’s 1000MVA auto transformer and monitor for the impact of geomagnetically induced currents on the asset.

Scottish Power is a British energy provider and distribution network operator for central and southern Scotland, and parts of northern England and Wales. It is also the transmission grid owner for the south of Scotland. At a key site in Scotland’s central belt, Scottish Power wanted to protect a 1000MVA autotransformer from the effects of solar flares - periods when intense high-energy radiation is emitted from the sun’s surface, causing radio and magnetic disturbances on Earth. Coupled with local geology, these have the potential to disrupt power the magnetic circuit of transformers, leading to inefficient power transmission and significant damage to the transformers.

Accurate transformer monitoring with the Optimus DGA Monitor OPT100.
In order to accurately and continuously monitor the condition of its transformer, detect the effects of geomagnetically induced currents, and take proactive maintenance if required, Scottish Power commissioned the installation of an Optimus DGA Monitor OPT100 by Elimpus Ltd.

The OPT100 is Vaisala’s most advanced monitoring solution and assesses a transformer’s condition by measuring for the presence of moisture and seven different fault gases in transformer oil.

“Scottish Power has a number of strategic transformers on the transmission network that require advanced condition monitoring, and we have been increasingly wary of the effects of solar flares and geomagnetically induced currents to disrupt their efficient performance,” said Keith Black, System Performance Senior Engineer at Scottish Power. “The Vaisala unit was installed because it met our current specification of online DGA devices with the addition of being maintenance free.”

Employing advanced technology for the best outcomes.
The OPT100 draws on Vaisala’s long heritage in industrial measurement technology. The highest engineering quality is maintained by manufacturing all of the unit’s components in-house, including the innovative tuneable non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) filters, which ensure optimal condition monitoring performance regardless of operational conditions.

The tuneable NDIR filter provides confidence to the monitoring team that their measurements are stable over the long term. The tuneable NDIR filter prevents drift and ensures all dissolved gas concentrations are accurately measured.

An additional and key benefit of Vaisala’s OPT100 over other transformer monitoring equipment is its simple installation process, which enabled Elimpus and Scottish Power to quickly and independently bring the unit online. And, with no consumables, the unit requires no regular maintenance of its own.

Scottish Power has been using the OPT100 since November 2017, and has benefited from greater oversight of its asset’s condition. “The OPT100 gives us the ability to track any disturbance that may occur and extend the lifetime of our transformer, as well as reducing the possibility of any unplanned outages,” added Keith Black.

With online transformer monitoring set to become increasingly important, Scottish Power are installing more OPT100 units across their fleet of power transformers.

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Absorbing radiation!

Mouser Electronics, Inc. is now shipping the HOZOX™ EMI absorption sheets and tape manufactured by Molex. While only 0.1mm thick, these flexible sheets suppress most unwanted electromagnetic interference (EMI) while meeting government EMC regulations worldwide. The unique dual-layer structure of the HOZOX allows the sheeting to efficiently absorb both megahertz and gigahertz electromagnetic energy, providing a wide range of EMI protection for a variety of applications.

The Molex HOZOX EMI absorption sheets available from Mouser Electronics provide excellent EMI noise reduction for many electronics systems. Electromagnetic interference can interfere with the proper operation of many electronic systems by inducing electric currents into wiring and PC board traces, resulting in difficult to diagnose equipment malfunctions. In addition, EMI can cause self-heating in magnetically conductive metals, resulting in overheating problems that can result in equipment failure from thermal damage to components.

The HOZOX EMI absorption sheets inhibit stray EMI by using a unique two-layer design. The magnetic layer is composed of a sendust powder that efficiently absorbs low frequency electromagnetic noise. The much thinner conductive layer is composed of ferrite powder mixed with nano-carbon wires that mitigate high-frequency electromagnetic energy. Together these dual layers provide excellent EMI protection over a broad range of frequencies. A layer of adhesive is applied to the conductive layer and allows the sheets to be pressed firmly into place. Optionally, the adhesive can be applied to the magnetic layer. Once properly applied, the sheeting keeps stray electromagnetic fields safely contained.

These sheets are ideal for compact electronic devices such as medical equipment, Wi-Fi and other RF modules, power supplies, and low power consumer electronics. The HOZOX is available both in sheets, or in 10 or 20mm tape.

Sensors for manipulating radioactive substances

Transducer specialists RDP Electronics can provide specially ruggedised, sealed sensors for use in manipulating radioactive substances.

Applications such as robotic devices or handling equipment for radioactive waste in cooling ponds demand waterproof sensors with very high radiation resistance. RDP Electronics Ltd has additionally developed special designs where all components are welded together to ensure that there is no possibility of any parts breaking loose from the transducer.

Components such as armature and push rods are welded together and all external case components are welded to the case so that they cannot become detached over the course of time. In these applications it is also usual practice to use external signal conditioning amplifiers for the transducers. As a further consideration transducers are usually calibrated for use with multiple amplifiers, so that in the event of an electronics failure the amplifiers can be replaced without requiring to access the transducer itself.

To learn more about transducers for high radiation environments, RDP Electronics engineering support team can be contacted on 01902 457512 and will be happy to discuss and advise on requirements for these and other applications where standard products will not suit.

Cryogen-free radiation testing!

Princeton Gamma-Tech Instruments has introduced the next-generation of mechanically-cooled  cryogen-free radiation detectors.

The Quiet-One™ is a proprietary PGT design incorporated into their Stirling cryocoolers, that replace liquid nitrogen as the coolant for nuclear and x-ray detectors and provide a smaller footprint and lower power consumption while offering low maintenance and long running life. PGT is the only commercial company in the world able to offer performance for mechanically-cooled nuclear detector that has same performance as liquid-nitrogen cooled.

Industries are now moving away from the use of liquid nitrogen as the coolant for nuclear and x-ray detectors and working with mechanically cooled devices. The main problem is microphonic noise caused by mechanical vibrations which result in peak broadening and poor resolution and results. PGT’s Quiet-One™ anti-microphonic mounting system solves this problem and ensures that there is no reduction in performance when integrated into these cryogen-free units.

Radiation survey meter

Fluke has introduced the easy-to-use, handheld Fluke 481 Radiation Survey Meter which enables users to identify irradiated goods, equipment, surfaces or environments in industrial settings, and thus to help to remediate contamination and safety issues while minimally impacting operations. Areas of application include food processing or packaging screening, transported goods screening, screening of manufactured goods imported from Asia, screening at ports, and use by environmental health, fire and police personnel.

This rugged, auto-ranging instrument is handheld and portable with a simple two button process, enabling its use at Goods Inwards, in a warehouse or on the shop floor, for scanning vehicles, packages or individuals. It simultaneously measures radiation rate and accumulated dose from beta, gamma and x-ray radiation sources, with the capability to record peak rate. It features an automated backlit display for easy reading in low-light situations.

The Fluke 481 is valuable for contamination detection, general radiation area metering, radiation-level monitoring, and hazardous materials assessment. Use of the device reassures employees that radiation risks are known, monitored and measured for their protection. If radiation is found, clear and quantifiable results allows assessment to risk, without overreacting with unnecessary steps that might halt operations, impact productivity or lead to lost revenue.

It has an ergonomic, anti-fatigue handle with replaceable grip, a wrist strap and a tripod mount. There is an RS-232 communications interface for data logging on a PC. It comes with guidance on performing shipping, receiving and perimeter surveys. A model is also available with a dose equivalent energy response in SI units.