NL Acoustics PL001 Industrial Ultrasonic Camera

The stand-alone NL Acoustics PL001 Industrial Ultrasonic Camera is an intelligent device for pinpointing partial discharge in high voltage and medium voltage systems, and air leaks in compressed air system (using acoustic beamforming method).

What is Acoustic Beamforming?

Acoustic beamforming is a technique for measuring sound spatially from a specific direction instead of measuring all the sounds in an environment.

Measuring sound from one direction enables:

• Localizing sound sources
• Measuring a signal even when the surrounding noise level is higher than the desired sound source signal

The most basic principle for acoustic beamforming relies on time differences (delay-and-sum): Sound signals arrive at different microphones at slightly different times. The microphone signals are then delayed and summed. This:

• Emphasizes the sound coming from the desired direction
• Minimizes the sound coming from other directions

In conclusion:

1. Acoustic beamforming makes leak localization possible, meaning that acoustic camera can pinpoint a leak’s location
2. Acoustic Beamforming requires multiple microphones (124 microphones), which also translates to better acoustic performance of the device

Why Does the Ultrasonic NL Camera PL001 Have 124 Microphones?

The more microphones will lead to improved acoustical performance, which entails:

• The possibility to find smaller compressed air leaks thanks to increased sensitivity
• Scanning larger areas more quickly from a distance thanks to increased maximum detection range
• More reliable fault location thanks to the better resolution of more precise acoustic imaging

Please click here, if you want to know more about “Why Does the Number of Microphones Matter” in an Ultrasound Camera.

Ultrasound NL Camera Leak Detector vs. Conventional Leak Tools

The Ultrasound NL Camera Leak Detector can pinpoint a leak’s location thanks to its multiple microphones, whereas conventional ultrasonic tools with one (directive) microphone cannot.

Benefits of the NL Camera Leak Detector	Shortcomings of conventional leak tools
Leak localization	No leak localization
Industry-leading leak detection and analytics	Limited or no leak analytics
More accurate thanks to wide frequency bandwidth	Less accurate due to narrow frequency bandwidth
Automatic leak recognition does not require the use of headphones	Manual leak recognition requires the use of headphones
Intuitive user interface that requires minimal training	Require lengthy training
Free cloud service and offline software options	Limited software options

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Also, if you need detailed comparisons of Ultrasonic NL Camera L001 with other other sound imagers and acoustic imaging instruments, please contact us directly.

Partial Discharge Detection Methods

In fact, there are three nondestructive partial discharge detection methods which you may find the following list.

• Acoustic methods: Conventional ultrasonic probes, and acoustic cameras: They can be used for PD detection; but are very limited for this purpose.
• Thermal cameras (IR): They have some limitations for PD detection. For example, they only certain PD types, typically at a very late stage.
• Ultraviolet cameras (UV): They have some limitations in PD detection, such as the requirement for a direct line of sight.

Benefits of the NL Camera P001 Over Other Acoustic Instruments

Benefits of the NL Camera	Enabling Features
Locates the most critical problems quickly Enables surveying fully operational grids Maintenance and repair plans Requires minimal training	Automatic PD localization, recognition and PRPD pattern Detection range up to 100 meters Included cloud or offline software offer extensive analysis and action recommendations

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Benefits of the NL Camera P001 Over IR Cameras

Benefits of the NL Camera	Enabling Features
Detects problems extensively at an early stage Locates all types of partial discharges	Detects partial discharges before they begin to generate heat Does not require direct line of sight, automatic PD

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Benefits of the NL Camera P001 Over UV Cameras

Benefits of the NL Camera	Enabling Features
Detects problems extensively during regular working hours Locates all types of partial discharges	Detects all types of partial in the daylight without a direct line of sight Does not require direct line of sight, automatic PD recognition

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Also, if you need detailed comparisons of Ultrasonic NL Camera L001 with other other sound imagers and acoustic imaging instruments, please contact us directly.

The Ultrasonic NL Camera P001 not only includes unique features; but also it’s equipped with an advanced intelligent analytics software using which it can evaluates how critical the detected partial discharge is; and advises the user (in 24 languages) what to do about them.

The NL Cloud analytics software which accompanies the Ultrasonic NL Camera P001 can determine the type of partial discharge; but now the AI-powered machine learning-based algorithms, it can also assess the severity of the partial discharge. In addition, to avoid fatal breakdowns and downtime, the software recommends what actions to take. If you want to know more about the Partial Discharge Severity Assessment, please click here.

Felixtrument supplies a complete range of innovative acoustics, audio and vibration equipment which come in different types and sizes. Therefore, if you are in need of any Sound & Vibration equipment; you may browse through our various products which you may find in the mentioned link; to find the one which best suits your needs.