Wheeled inspection robot S3

360° viewingthermal imagingfor electrical substations

Auditing power equipment temperature is an effective way to prevent accidents at electrical substations and power grids. Normally, this task is carried out by a qualified technician who uses a portable thermal vision camera to measure the IR emission intensity of the equipment, thus determine its heat rate. To prevent accidents, this temperature audit should be conducted on a regular basis. In some climatic regions, the audit of power equipment is performed in the early morning, when the equipment is covered with atmospheric condensation. The S3 Mobile Robot has a flexible thermal vision camera and is designed for automated auditing of substation facilities’ power equipment temperatures. Maintaining trained staff to regularly and safely audit all necessary equipment is costly as an expense that can be eliminated. Additionally, safety is increased with the use of the S3 Mobile Robot as hands-free remote diagnostics at unmanned electrical substations can be collected. If any unsafe conditions were to arise, off-site personnel can be alerted before any person comes into harm’s way. Outfitted with an automated guidance system, the S3 robot navigates through the entire area of a substation and performs on-the-go scanning of the area’s power equipment with the robot’s onboard pan-tilt, positioner-mounted thermal vision camera. If above-normal temperature is detected, the IR image processing system identifies an overheat and transmits an alarm signal, along with the thermal image, to an operator via WiFi. The S3 series robots enable remote visual inspection of the equipment in case of a substation failure or electrical accidents therein.