Thermographic Inspection window on MV switchgears

[NickParker]

Typically where do the Thermographic inspection windows for MV (Medium Voltage) switchgear are installed; on the front door of the circuit breaker (CB) compartment or on the door of the cable compartment? What are the pros and cons of installing a thermographic window on the front door of the CB compartment versus on the door of the cable compartment?

 

[LionelHutz]

Well, you typically can't see any connections from the front of a MV breaker so it'd be useless there.

 

[Gr8blu]

As mentioned in another post - the purpose of the IR window is to see something specific. Usually, this means a bolted connection point or some other point of contact (for example, breaker stab meeting internal bus as a sliding contact). The window needs to be in such a position that the area of interest is visible - in a straight line from point to window to observer.

 

[rockman7892]

Well, you typically can't see any connections from the front of a MV breaker so it'd be useless there.

I have seen windows on front for viewing breaker position indicator on breaker, but to your point not useful for IR scans.

 

[LionelHutz]

I have seen windows on front for viewing breaker position indicator on breaker, but to your point not useful for IR scans.

This thread is specifically about thermal viewing windows, so it should have been obvious I was posting about that.