The Insights from the Field series features insight from experts who recommend, deploy, and use thermal imaging technology daily. Let's discuss the diverse applications of thermal technology in security, safety, and equipment protection for critical infrastructure. Thermal cameras can monitor the perimeter and core electrical substation components for signs of overheating and unauthorized access.

Security personnel must be able to detect unauthorized vehicles and individuals quickly at critical infrastructure sites. Without intrusion detection, entities like electrical substations can be subject to physical attacks. According to CIGRE, a global electricity industry organization, 88 percent of substations experience at least one break-in every year, and 10 percent see more than 20 intrusions in the same time frame. Electric utilities rely on durable thermal cameras for superior monitoring and protection to safeguard remote substations from external threats.

Top Pain Points for Remote Substation Security

A key substation failure caused by a security breach would have a debilitating effect on homeowners, businesses, and mission-critical infrastructure. While physical security is a top priority for utilities, designing, installing, and operating a perimeter system requires skill. Remote location, limited network connectivity, minimal lighting, internal security audits, and compliance with North American Electric Reliability Corporation are some challenges that both substation security directors and system integrators face. When installed at a gas-insulated substation, thermal imaging helps visualize internal faults not visible to the naked eye.

Thermal for your Perimeter Intrusion Detection System (PIDS)

Since their arrival on the mainstream security scene a few decades ago, thermal security cameras have quickly become the optimal solution for remote substation perimeter security, due to their ability to monitor perimeters day and night in adverse weather conditions as well as in harsh environments. Substation automation systems can be programmed to trigger alerts based on thermal input. A modern digital substation integrates thermal data directly into SCADA and asset monitoring platforms.

Remote monitoring is most effective when paired with robust electrical substation maintenance protocols that verify sensor accuracy.

Read full article in the Substation Technologies Special Edition