We are pleased to announce that the Ultraprobe has been accepted on the Energy Technology List. The Ultraprobe is the only ultrasonic leak detector currently on the List and had to meet strict design, feature and leak distance criteria (detect a leak from a 0.4mm dia. hole in a system carrying 7bar from a distance of 20 meters).

This means that potential customers will be able to claim an Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA). ECA's enable businesses to claim 100% first-year capital allowances on their purchase of an Ultraprobe - which can deliver both cash flow and pay back advantages. Claims for ECA's are made in the same way as other capital allowances on the Corporation Tax Return.

Visit www.eca.gov.uk for full details. This could help your justification to purchase!

Incorporating both data and sound information into a bearing inspection survey allows an inspector to:

• Observe changes in decibel levels
• Set up an alarm group for bearings that need to be lubricated or for bearings that have entered the failure mode
• Record, Play back and Analyse the bearing sounds to determine what, if any action is to be taken.

Reports generated using the Ultratrend Data Management Software (Ultratrend DMS) show bearing data and charts demonstrating the history of that data. The sound spectra or time series view can also be incorporated into the report.

Ultratrend DMS maintains historical records of all essential bearing related data such as decibel, frequency, rpm, temperature and alarm levels. It can produce charts for trending and analysis. In addition, it contains link information to sound files, which can be used in Spectralyzer (a spectral analysis package) to analyse sound samples in either a spectra or time series view.

Alarm levels can be set to alert inspectors when to take an action. For example, an inspector decides to set an alarm level of 8dB over a baseline (with no change in sound quality) to note a lack of lubrication condition. If a baseline reading on a specific bearing is 60dB, then the alarm level is set at 68dB. An alarm group can be set for bearings showing a change of 8dB over baseline. Any bearings that are at or exceed that level would be automatically placed into the alarm group.

Once the bearings have been lubricated, the alarm group can be uploaded into an Ultraprobe for a retest to be sure the bearings were lubricated properly and that there were no other faults present.

If a fault is suspected, those bearings can be recorded and analysed. There can be situations in which the sound levels from one reading to the next do not change significantly and yet the sound quality does. The ability to hear this change in the headphones, record the sound and then analyse the sound quality provides an invaluable tool for predicting a potential problem, planning an action and preventing unplanned downtime.

Ultratrend DMS may also be used with the Ultraprobe 9000. Information can be stored on either instrument and downloaded to the program. While the Ultraprobe 10000 has on-board sound recording, sounds can be recorded to a mini-disc from the Ultraprobe 9000. To download the Ultratrend DMS software please see the software section of our web site.

Reg Cook, part of the Condition Monitoring team at AWE in Reading has both analog and digital Ultraprobes. Reg says that this very useful piece of diagnostic technology now forms part of maintenance rounds to gain an early indication of potential problems.

"The Ultraprobe is a simple and versatile portable hand-held device that detects ultrasound and converts it to audible frequencies. With the minimum of operator training it can easily detect gas and vacuum system leaks, wear on machine bearings, faulty steam traps and HV electrical arcing. For example the Ultraprobe was recently used to locate refrigerant gas leaks from air conditioning plant."

We look forward to meeting you on Stand B15 to discuss your current condition monitoring and/or energy saving needs.

On display we will have:

• The range of Ultraprobes including the recently introduced UP9000 and UP10K. These are digital models that not only store, download and report ultrasound readings, but can also record sound waves. These can be displayed in either time or frequency domain so that spikes characterising mechanical or electrical problems can be spotted.
• A range of fixed ultrasound detectors that can either be connected to an Ultraprobe for data collection or to alarms or recorders for datalogging, thanks to their 4-20mA current output.
• The Grease Caddy, with modified mounting. It fixes to a grease gun and prevents overgreasing, a major contributor to bearing failure, indicates when not to grease and gives early warning of bearing failure.
• The Flir E series of thermal imaging cameras and the Cockburn windows. These are plasma windows that, when fitted to cabinet doors, allow the thermal inspection of HV equipment, safely.

It's always good to receive your feedback, on any product we have sold or rented. If you have a success story that you would like to share with others in a future newsletter, please get in touch.

It is always good to receive your feedback on any product we have sold or rented. If you have a success story that you would like to share with others in a future newsletter, then please do get in touch.

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Contact Us - Jeremy Lineham, Mike Trim, Toni Simmonds, Jon Hill