Skip to main content
Mobile Navigation

Chemical Engineering

This acoustic-imaging camera is designed to support proactive maintenance

| By Mary Bailey

Flir Si2a PD is a fixed-mount acoustic-imaging camera designed to deliver continuous, always-on monitoring of partial discharge (PD) in medium to high-voltage utility and industrial environments. Building on the advanced performance of the handheld Si-Series acoustic cameras, the new Si2a PD introduces the company’s first-ever permanently installed acoustic solution that continuously monitors critical assets such as substations, switchgear, transformers, and gas-insulated systems (GIS). By capturing intermittent and transient events that traditional inspections often miss, the Si2a PD helps utilities detect faults earlier and take action before they lead to failures or outages. The Si2a PD is designed to support proactive maintenance strategies by providing uninterrupted monitoring of electrical anomalies, including partial discharge, corona, and arcing, and ensuring that no critical event goes undetected, even during peak load conditions or outside scheduled inspections.

Flir camera

Source: Flir

Key Benefits

• Prevent outages and improve reliability with early detection of PD, corona, and arcing
• Continuous 24/7 monitoring to capture intermittent faults missed by periodic inspections
• Detect, locate, classify, and assess faults from up to 200 m (656 ft)
• AI-enhanced analysis for accurate results with minimal operator intervention
• Safer, non-contact monitoring in energized environments
• Built for harsh conditions, with IP66-rated protection for outdoor substations and industrial sites
 
The Si2a PD is purpose-built for utility transmission and distribution networks, as well as energy-intensive industrial facilities where asset reliability is critical. It combines acoustic imaging with AI-driven detection and classification, providing clear visualization and actionable insights into asset condition. This enables maintenance teams to prioritize interventions, reduce manual inspection effort, and improve overall operational efficiency. Integrated with the Flir AssetLink™ ecosystem, the system supports data recording, event tracking, and seamless integration into digital maintenance workflows, helping teams move from periodic inspections to continuous condition monitoring. — Flir, a Teledyne Technologies company, Wilsonville, Ore.