T&M Instruments: What’s coming up next?

T&M instruments help the power utility to enhance the efficiencies by keeping asset availability to maximum and reduce the losses.

Parag Yelegaonkar, General Manager – Government Business, Testo India

Testo is emphasising on developing smart and intuitive solution for the industry as they believe T&M technology is the foundation of smart factory and Industry 4.0, informs Parag Yelegaonkar, General Manager – Government Business, Testo India.

What have been the top T&M technology trends during 2020?
T&M (Test & Measuring) technology is always evolving and progressing. If we discuss about the latest technology, the advancements are evident. Right from smart operation of the measuring instrument to their integration with existing facility via Cloud and IoT, accompanied by the digitisation of the working system and the increase in critical application areas have been the highlights. Every sector has evolved to adapt the latest trends in T&M segment right from the product development to manufacturing of electrical goods and services. Data accessibility, reducing losses, energy optimisation have been the key features of the T&M segment making the measurement experience safer, easier and reliable. Similarly, smart grids and digitisation needs to be addressed at management level for respective verticals in the energy sector.

How future technology inventions in power sector could shape up for T&M industry?
Development in the power sector is favourable for the T&M industry. Considering India’s future power plan, more focus will be on distribution of power. This is in view of the surplus from thermal power generation capacities that our country has built over the years. With the rise in power demands and increasing share of renewable energy, we also witness the sharp increase in distribution network capacity and hence the demand for the T&M instruments will also grow in same proportion due to the increase in the application areas. Installation of advanced SPV plants and enormous increase in their power capacity requires timely thermal inspections of the solar cells to ensure plant efficiency. Emergence of smart grids requires advanced measuring tools at every step. Furthermore, the market for electrical assets like transformers, transmission lines, switch yards, motors, and cables continue to rise linearly. T&M instruments help the power utility to enhance the efficiencies by keeping asset availability to maximum and reduce the losses. Our instruments like thermo-vision cameras, electrical instruments and data loggers are used in predictive and preventive maintenance, health and condition monitoring of the major electrical equipment along with climate monitoring respectively. As mentioned, these measuring instruments are smart and intuitive which gives higher efficiency and helps in reducing the downtime of any new hi-tech facility.

What T&M technology do you expect will have the most exciting implication for your business?
We at Testo are emphasising on developing smart and intuitive solution for the industry as we believe this technology is the foundation of smart factory and Industry 4.0. It not only ensures efficiency and availability of the facilities but also allows the industry to monitor the health of the equipment or any mechanical or electrical asset on time. In addition to that, smart measurement solutions make data transfer easy and accessible anytime anywhere. In that very line, our latest and most advanced solutions such as testo Saveris 2 Wi-Fi data loggers measure ambient conditions and save the data in secure testo cloud. It also automatically sends reminders and alarms to the user in case of any deviation. Our electrical instruments are very distinct and unique in their features. They are excellent instruments to inspect the electrical components and circuit failure threats. Along with that they ensure longevity and efficiency of various power electronic components. Testo clamp meter can even be connected to thermal imagers via Bluetooth which can instantly display multiple electrical parameters along with thermal profiles. Our new range of thermal imagers with smartphone integration designed to deliver networked thermography are mostly used for predictive and preventive maintenance in electric and power sector. These smart instruments are the best solution for trouble shooting in electrical and power sector.

What can the electrical equipment industry expect in 2021?
We cannot deny the fact that the industry is considerably affected due to COVID-19 pandemic and we might even witness the prolonged effects, but it is also true that the coming year looks promising and would bring many new opportunities. Electrical equipment market constitutes a large industry share contributing to segments like HVAC, telecom, power and utility, white goods etc. There are regular innovations and developments that are making our lives much easier and efficient. Medical equipment and gadgets will be important for the coming year too and due to the global lockdowns and limitations in personal interactions, virtual platforms have gained great importance which will continue as it is. This development is an addition to the role of electrical segment. Electrical vehicles are ready to enter the market. Concepts like ‘Make in India’ and ‘Vocal for Local’ have already benefitted several electronic goods and equipment manufacturers. Focus on R&D will now be more important considering the safety issues and human health. In a nutshell, be it basic home appliances, HVAC systems or even large industrial set up, the electrical equipment industry with its advanced technology, is on a progressive path for the coming years.