FAQ
Q. How does PyrOptic work?
Q. What is the correct alarm temperature to select?
Q. What is the benefit of an online temperature alarm compared to routine inspections?
Q. What makes PyrOptic so reliable?
Q. What about real time temperature monitoring systems?
Q. Will PyrOptic protect against thermal runaway?
Q. Does PyrOptic affect verification testing of a switchboard?
Q. What is the maximum rated voltage?
Q. How is a fibre optic loop repaired after an over-temperature event?
Q. How is the point of failure identified?
Q. How many PyrOnodes can be placed on a loop?
- PyrOnodes are applied to electrical connections of interest. A plastic fibre optic is threaded through these to form an optical detection loop which is monitored by a simple relay.
- If the alarm temperature is exceeded an inert material inside the PyrOnode undergoes phase change and rapid expansion which in turn cuts the plastic optical fibre to signal the alarm condition.
- Because energy is required to perform the physical cutting of the plastic optical fibre only true over-temperature conditions can cause this action, no false alarms are possible due to loose wires or faulty electronics*
Q. What is the correct alarm temperature to select?
- PyrOnodes are provided with many temperature ratings to match common equipment, cable and insulation classes from 70°C to 110°C.
Q. What is the benefit of an online temperature alarm compared to routine inspections?
- Inspections for electrical connection deterioration can expose people to electric shock and arc flash hazards, PyrOptic removes people from these hazards.
- Visual inspections can only reveal problems after damage has occurred
- All routine inspections including thermography have been shown to identify only 30% of developing failures, functional failure is the most common detection mechanism*
- The condition of a connection during failure can cycle between pass and fail criteria, an insurmountable challenge to intermittent routine inspections. When melting voltages (voltage temperature (V-T) relation) are achieved between the contact surfaces the connection can self repair, however as the root cause is left unaddressed this will only be temporarily effective. The number of cycles or length between is impossible to predict.
- PyrOptic has no field of view limitations.
- PyrOptic provides coverage over the lifecycle of the electrical installation with minimal intervention.
- The execution of routine inspections may be at risk due to resource limitations, production issues and budget cuts over the equipment life cycle.
Q. What makes PyrOptic so reliable?
- PyrOnodes use the expansion properties of an inert material during phase change to cut a plastic optical fibre. This simplicity is how long term reliability over many decades is guaranteed.
Q. What about real time temperature monitoring systems?
- Electrical connections are simple mechanical assemblies with very low failure rates. Identifying hot joints can be like finding a needle in a haystack, in practice the majority of sensors in a detection system will never find one.
- Real time temperature monitoring introduces cost, complexity and failure modes that provide limited application benefit. Inevitable failures will destroy confidence as the system ages and the cost and effort to replace the system over the asset lifecycle may be prohibitive.
- Electrical connections do not require accuracy or speed from a temperature monitoring system. Degradation is slow and standards such as UL 746B include considerable safety factors over the stated ratings e.g. Class A is 105°C, yet has a Relative Thermal Index (RTI) up to 120°C. The application simply requires that the system continuously monitors and provides warning of developing problems prior to damage occurring.
- A practical monitoring system must be economical, maintenance free and provide bullet proof reliability over many decades. We believe PyrOptics phase change technology is the only solution on the market that meets all these key requirements.
Q. Will PyrOptic protect against thermal runaway?
- Yes, PyrOptic continuously monitors the connection temperature and will alarm well before this condition occurs*
Q. Does PyrOptic affect verification testing of a switchboard?
- PyrOptic can be applied to electrical assemblies without affecting verification testing however it is the responsibility of the installer to ensure the installation conforms to the standard the assembly is built to.
- PyrOnodes are equivalent to a very thin, additional washer in the mechanical assembly. They do not form a part of the current carrying pathway.
- All insulating materials in a PyrOptic system are manufactured from materials with comparative tracking index (CTI) of 600 meeting the highest group 1 requirements for minimum creepage distances.
- PyrOnodes can be installed to meet arcing class I of IEC/TR 61641 (with the plastic fibre optic inserted).
Q. What is the maximum rated voltage?
- PyrOptic is for low voltage installations not exceeding 1000V (AC RMS) or 1500V (ripple-free DC).
Q. How is a fibre optic loop repaired after an over-temperature event?
- Joining plastic optical fibre is quick and easy using our splicing kits.
- Short loops may be simply replaced.
Q. How is the point of failure identified?
- Detachment of the plastic optical fibre at the alarmed PyrOnode can be visually observed.
Q. How many PyrOnodes can be placed on a loop?
- This is limited only by the length of plastic optical fibre loop which is about 100m, in theory this equates to over 10,000 PyrOnodes.
- In practice separate PyrOptic systems are provided for each MCC functional unit, incoming and outgoing tiers, busbar sections and distribution boards.
- This methodology provides discrimination of temperature alarms between the functional sections of an electrical assembly. There is usually no benefit to provide further discrimination as isolation of the section will be required to perform any repair work.