Acoustic inspection services
How our acoustic inspection service works
We specialise in the inspection of distribution, sub-transmission and transmission overhead networks, substations and ground mounted equipment.
Our directional ultrasonic detector precisely analyses an acoustic signal from each network asset.
We provide detailed planning including health and safety, risk and hazard identification, general survey and close inspection planning, network/fault data, network access and logistics (including landowner permission).
Ultrasonic inspection technology
Northpower’s acoustic inspection services have been deployed on over 500,000 structures, over 40,000 sub-transmission poles, and conductors and equipment on electricity networks in New Zealand, Australia, and the Pacific Islands.
We’ve located over 10,000 defects with the potential to impact network reliability, security, and safety.
Developed by UIT Networks in Korea, Ultrasonic inspection technology has been successfully used by KEPCO in Korea, collecting 15 million data points over nine years.
With nearly 95% of the national network surveyed annually, pre-emptive rectification of the defects found has improved KEPCO’s SAIDI by 42%.
Our capabilities
Our acoustic inspection services are up to 10x faster than other methods, checking up to:
- 300 distribution poles/structures per day
- 30–50 transmission towers per day
- 2–4 substations per day
- 30 ground-mounted assets per day
Key features
- Accuracy – we can pinpoint locations of electrical discharge and defects up to 18 months before becoming visually evident
- Reliability – identifying and prioritising defects enables asset owners to manage condition-based risks
- SAIDI benefits – SAIDI reductions result in operational savings and improved public safety – including reducing customer outages and highlighting potential bush fire risks
- Innovation – state-of-the-art defect detection across electricity network assets
- Speed – our acoustic inspection services are 10x faster than traditional inspection services
- Rapid problem solving – quickly identifies root causes of intermittent faults on problematic network sections
Ground-based survey
Our drive-by inspections service (urban and rural) uses a state-of-the-art directional ultrasonic detector.
In areas with restricted vehicle access, inspection can be done on foot. We can also utilise a helicopter where site access is extremely difficult.
Identification of defects
Our specialist engineers are trained in the identification of ultrasonic defect signatures.
Once detected, triangulation techniques are used to pinpoint the defect location and high-resolution images and data are captured for analysis.
Diagnostics and reporting
Once field information is gathered, our experienced engineering team review the defect data determining the issues and offer potential solutions.
Forensic analysis and diagnosis allow for defect classification and prioritisation according to our customers’ network standards.
