Automated high voltage cable inspection using X-ray images

Manufacturing defects are more likely to be introduced into cable during the jointing processes, due to the manual nature of this procedure. These defects can reduce the working lifetime of the cable. It is possible to detect these defects using X-ray techniques and photographic film, however there are problems associated with this procedure. To remove these problems the photographic plate can be replaced by a CCD array coupled to a scintillating screen. To ensure that there is no loss in image quality a comparative test has been conducted to compare the images generated using both film and CCD technologies. This test involved generating images of three test pieces using both film and the CCD camera. The film images were then digitised using a scanner so that they could be digital processed. Two algorithms were then used to process these images, a statistical based algorithm and a Newtonian based algorithm. The results of processing these images are discussed and indicate the viability of an automated digital X-ray cable inspection system.