A Step Closer Toward Maintenance-Free Gear

A difficult-to-predict electrical failure is the continuity failure. Pressure junctions are common problem sources for continuity failures. Available tools to search for pressure-junction problems include low-resistance testing, temperature monitoring using physical contact between sensor and heated part, pyrometer temperature monitoring, infrared photography, and visual inspection. While each method is effective, each of these methods has one or more disadvantages. This paper will describe a breakthrough patented method of directly calculating conductor and pressure-junction impedance, resistance, and reactance using the noisy harmonic-laden switching-transient-laced (in other words, normal) load current flowing through an electrical distribution system. This technique then provides the solution to the problem of how to detect a conductor-path-impedance change of only a few tens of micro-ohms using conventional protective and metering devices without the need to de-energize the equipment or without the need to inject currents.