High-speed thermography of fast dynamic processes on electronic switching devices

Electro technical machines and systems have to provide a permanent operational safety in every phase of their lifecycle. An interruption or failure, e.g. of the DC24V energy supply, must not cause any dangerous situation for man or machine. A selective protective function is achieved by using electronic or mechanical circuit breakers mainly consisting of an integrated printed circuit board (pcb) with a number of conductive paths and components. PCBs and components respond to current variations respectively overcurrent with partly punctual thermal changes which can be tolerated up to a certain limit. A thermally and geometrically high-resolution real-time thermography system monitors fast electrical changes in loadings on electronic circuit breakers which immediately result in thermal effects on the electronic system. The infrared thermography visualises the thermal loadings occurring in conductive paths and electronic components. The data determined by this innovative medium will be put into relation to the electrical loadings. Conclusions to the component and pcb-layout efficiency are drawn from the temporally high-resolved heating processes in the millisecond range. Due to these data, the electronic circuit breaker will be miniaturised. The high-speed thermography compares variously dimensioned devices during electrical loads with regard to their thermal management. As proof of feasibility, the heating processes are displayed in quick movies depending on pcb dimensions and electrical loads.