Planck Vision Systems manufactures thermal imaging solutions for portable inspection and 24/7 monitoring of commercial applications including: Early Fire Detection, Manufacturing, Substations and Tunnels, Electrical Panel/Cabinets, Storage Facilities, Data Centers and Elevated Body Temperature Screening. Our company is headquartered in Santa Barbara CA, the capital of infrared sensing technologies in the United States.
On August 5, 2024, Frankfurt Airport faced a three-hour power outage caused by a dormouse short-circuiting a substation. The quick response minimized impact, with only minor flight delays and prompt passenger compensation. The airport is enhancing safety measures and considering AI for early issue detection. Similarly, Georgia Power’s new thermal imaging system at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport aims to prevent future outages and improve reliability.

NEWS
On the morning of August 5, 2024, Frankfurt Airport experienced an unusual power outage caused by a dormouse triggering a short circuit in an electricity substation. The outage, which lasted for three hours, impacted some airport services but did not affect air traffic control or flights. The airport authorities acted swiftly, resolving the issue promptly and enhancing safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The airport’s response was exemplary. They quickly focused on restoring operations in critical areas to ensure that essential services remained uninterrupted. Power was successfully restored within a few hours despite challenges such as protecting wildlife and preventing further complications. The airport’s communication team efficiently kept the public informed throughout the incident, minimizing confusion and maintaining control over the situation. As a result, only a few flights experienced delays of more than 45 minutes, and affected passengers were promptly compensated with food vouchers and hotel accommodations.
An airport representative remarked, “Our main goal is to keep passengers safe and comfortable. Even though the power outage was unexpected, we were able to resolve it quickly thanks to our well-prepared emergency plans.” This incident highlighted the airport’s ability to manage unexpected issues effectively and reinforced confidence in its operational stability.
In response to this event, Frankfurt Airport has taken proactive measures to prevent future occurrences. These include strengthening critical systems, reviewing operational processes to improve power supply reliability, and working with experts to identify and address weak points in the power system. To further enhance security, the airport is considering the use of AI for early problem detection and is collaborating with research groups and technology companies to bolster the reliability and security of its power supply.
In a related development, Georgia Power has implemented an advanced automated thermal imaging monitoring system at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to prevent incidents similar to the 11-hour power outage that occurred there in 2017. This system, provided by Power Intelligence, LLC and Planck Vision Systems, LLC, features over 100 thermal cameras that continuously monitor critical components beneath the airport. The specialized software analyzes the data to provide early warnings of potential failures. This solution improves reliability by supporting condition-based maintenance, reduces unplanned downtime, and offers scalability for future expansions.
Both Frankfurt Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport are enhancing their approaches to power management and system reliability. Frankfurt Airport’s improvements in response to the August 5 outage and Georgia Power’s investment in thermal imaging technology reflect a broader industry trend towards more resilient and proactive infrastructure management. By adopting these advanced systems and strategies, airports can better manage and mitigate the impacts of unforeseen disruptions, ensuring smoother operations and improved passenger experiences.
source:frontlinenews24.com
Predictive maintenance for Substation Monitoring
Planck Vision Systems thermal imaging cameras offer 24/7 monitoring to constantly gather and analyze data with software that identifies trends and anomalies. Fixed mount or pan/tilt drive cameras can survey large areas of a substation with crisp thermal images. Planck Vision Systems cameras will always be in the right place at the right time to eliminate the potential for costly unexpected substation failures.




