Tool for detecting external hot spots in a low voltage switchboard to facilitate asset management and maintenance tasks

In this study, the modelling of a low-voltage switchboard inside a transformer substation is carried out using finite element software. The objective of this study is to identify the optimal locations where a thermographic camera can be placed to detect external hot spots, in order to facilitate predictive maintenance and enable the digitalisation of assets based on the monitoring of the switchboard. Low-voltage switchboards require continuous maintenance tasks through inspections, which most of the time require opening the device, with the time that this entails. Thermal monitoring offers a non-invasive alternative that reduces inspection times and associated costs. Therefore, simulations have been carried out by recreating the most common operating conditions and failure modes in low-voltage switchboards, such as poor fuse connections, faults in input and output terminals and the use of fuses with characteristics that do not correspond to those of the switchboard. The analysis of these situations allows the identification of temperature distribution patterns. Temperature distributions are obtained on the front cover of the switchboard under the defined conditions, thus simulating the results that a thermographic camera located in the transformer substation would show. This tool facilitates the localisation of hot spots in the switchgear, which helps to improve the early detection of faults and maintenance strategies, making maintenance strategies for transformer substations more efficient. This tool highlights the importance of integrating thermal detection systems in transformer substations, improving the efficiency of maintenance operations as well as reliability.