4 December 2019
Weidmann Electrical Technologies Germany - Detecting temperature for a wide range of applications
Given that most of you reading this article will be from the transformer related industry, it will come as no surprise to hear that the main ‘transformer killers’ that can significantly reduce the life of a transformer relate to temperature and moisture.
For many years at Weidmann we have developed our know-how and invested in production technology that enable us to control moisture content in our insulating materials. But do you know that we design and manufacture fiber optic temperature monitoring systems?
Our team at Weidmann Electrical Technologies in Dresden, Germany has more than 25 years’ experience specializing in the development of fiber optic sensors and signal conditioners for temperature measurement. The former Optocon AG business was acquired by Weidmann in November 2017 and this year they have released a brand new fiber optic hot-spot monitoring system, InsuLogix® T3, designed specifically for installation in transformer windings. This new product uses the very latest technology to enable transformer operators manage hot-spot temperature throughout the life of the transformer.
In addition to the new InsuLogix® T3, Weidmann Electrical Technologies manufacture sensors for a wide range of other applications in which conventional temperature measurement are not applicable. In environments where you have strong electromagnetic influences, aggressive chemicals, cryogen processes or explosion proof chambers, fiber optic detection is typically the only way to take a highly accurate temperature measurement.
Having the ability to customize our sensors and rapidly prototype designs using state-of-the-art 3D milling and printing production technology, our sensors are used for highly complex applications. The smallest fiber diameter starts at less than 0.5mm for installation in the smallest vents and test environments are capable of measuring temperatures from -200 °C to +300 °C with an accuracy of +/- 0.2 °C.
Recently a customer requested a bespoke solution for use in the medical field. The application requirement was to develop a fiber optical measurement system to be used in treating local hypothermia that relates directly to a proven method in cancer treatment. At Weidmann we are very proud to be involved in the development of technical solutions to support initiatives that can have significant impact on human life.