The Detection and Identification of Overheated Insulation in Turbogenerators

The principle of an instrument being developed to identify particles emitted from overheated turbogenerator insulation is described. The continuous reading instrument may be used in conjunction with a generator condition monitor to validate an indication. Particles carried in the gas stream, some of which are normally passed through a condition monitor, are collected on a fine mesh filter incorporated in the new instrument. An ultraviolet source irradiates the material which fluoresces, giving off a characteristic visible emission spectrum. This characteristic is used to identify directly the source of the particles.