Raythink VIS-3000 enables instant alerts for swift predictive maintenance

VIS-3000 integrates video surveillance, terminal data acquisition, storage and AI analytics into a unified ecosystem, serving as a foundational platform for real-time alert services tailored to power industry scenarios.

Raythink’s advanced thermal imaging technology is reshaping substation monitoring by offering non-contact, real-time surface temperature measurement based on infrared radiation principles. By seamlessly integrating with existing SCADA and substation automation systems, Raythink provides predictive maintenance solutions through its VIS-3000 platform and AI-powered analytics.

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How does Raythink’s thermal imaging technology enhance fault detection in power substations, and what specific components can it monitor?

The thermal imaging technology of Raythink utilises infrared radiation principles for non-contact surface temperature measurement, offering wide detection range, rapid response and high accuracy. It continuously monitors temperature anomalies in substation equipment and early indicators of potential failures like short circuits or insulation degradation. Critical components monitored include transformers, circuit breakers, GIS equipment, disconnectors and current/voltage transformers. Also, equipment under surveillance comprises surge arresters, capacitors, reactors, busbars, insulators, bushings, power cables, and switchgear.

What are the key advantages of using real-time temperature monitoring in substations compared to traditional inspection methods?

There are three main advantages of Raythink solutions. The first is non-contact safety and uninterrupted operation, which allow remote fault diagnosis without physical intervention or power shutdowns. The next is visualised fault localisation, under which area-based thermal mapping automatically identifies hotspots, precisely locating defects while quantifying severity. The last is predictive analytics, in which historical temperature trend analysis reveals equipment degradation patterns, enabling early warnings for proactive maintenance.

How does Raythink’s system integrate with existing substation automation and SCADA systems for predictive maintenance?

Raythink’s full range of hardware products, from detectors and core modules to integrated systems, are entirely self-developed, supporting multiple industry-standard protocols, including ONVIF, GB/T 28181, MODBUS, and MQTT, for seamless system integration. To further streamline connectivity, Raythink has developed its proprietary cloud platform VIS-3000, designed for centralised device management and interoperability.

VIS-3000 integrates video surveillance, terminal data acquisition, storage and AI analytics into a unified ecosystem, serving as a foundational platform for real-time alert services tailored to power industry scenarios. Combined with the firm’s hardware capabilities, the solution ensures rapid integration with substation automation and SCADA systems, delivering instant anomaly alerts and enabling predictive maintenance with minimal latency.

Can your thermal monitoring solutions detect early-stage failures in critical substation equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers? If so, how?

Yes. Our infrared thermal imagers enable early detection of potential failures in critical equipment such as transformers and circuit breakers. For transformers, infrared thermal imaging identifies various defects in components, including the main body, conservator tank, bushings, coolers and control circuits.

Abnormal heat patterns are clear indicators of underlying equipment issues. Elevated temperatures on transformer bolts often suggest the presence of eddy currents caused by magnetic leakage, while overheating at bushing connections typically points to poor electrical contact. Additionally, localised temperature spikes on bushings may result from excessive dielectric loss or surface contamination, compromising equipment performance and reliability.

These non-contact diagnostic solutions provide critical insights for proactive equipment maintenance and fault prevention.