February 2016
The Dolan Technology Center (DTC) offers external customers many of the same services provided to the AEP system including a wide range of real-world testing services for electrical and mechanical equipment and systems. These services can be provided at your location or at our lab located on our 23-acre campus in Groveport, Ohio.
Featured Testing Capability
New Daytime Corona Camera
The Dolan Technology Center (DTC) has added a new daytime UV (ultra-violet) discharge imaging camera for performing corona inspections. The new camera is similar to other UV cameras that have been used for over a decade by DTC personnel and others within AEP, but improvements in technology resulted in many enhancements that are built into this new camera including:
- On-board SD card recording capability (audio and video)
- Smaller Size - 8.6" x 6.3" x 3.1"
- Lighter Weight - 4.2 lbs.
- Increased Resolution - 640 x 480 pixels
- Battery - standard camcorder-style Li-Ion batteries
- Larger Screen size - 5.7 inches
- Improved Screen technology for viewing in bright sunlight
- Improved UV sensitivity - 2.05x10-18 watts/cm2
- Full range of colors for corona discharge display
Shown below are screen captures from corona recordings, using two different cameras. In this laboratory setup, 25,000 volts are applied to a sharpened rod pointing upward (red arrow); a small corona plume exists at the top of this rod (green arrow).
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| Old Camera |
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| New Camera |
This video from the Robert P. Mone Plant in Convoy, Ohio, shows the new camera in action when looking at a set of dead-end porcelain disc insulators. The corona is originating on unused connecting pads near the energized end of the insulator string. It should be noted that corona of this nature and at these locations does not pose a threat to the equipment nor is it likely to cause a circuit outage.
Read more about corona testing.
