Planck Vision Systems: Real-Time Monitoring System Cuts Economic Losses from Power Failures by 30%

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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 25, 2021, a fire at Taiwan Power Co’s Wanlong substation in Taipei’s Wenshan District caused a power outage affecting over 300,000 households in Taipei and New Taipei City. The fire, reported at 9:56am, was due to a malfunction in a distribution transformer. Power was restored by 1:07pm. No casualties were reported. The outage was unrelated to national power supply issues, as the reserve margin was 37.17%.

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NEWS

On the morning of August 25, 2021, a fire at Taiwan Power Co’s (Taipower) Wanlong substation in Taipei’s Wenshan District led to a power outage affecting over 300,000 households in Taipei and New Taipei City. The Taipei City Government reported that the fire was caused by a mechanical malfunction at 10:42am. The incident resulted in the shutdown of the substation’s 161 kilovolt (kV) and 69kV power supply systems, affecting power supply in Taipei’s Muzha area and New Taipei City’s Sindian District.

The Taipei Fire Department received the report of the transformer fire at 9:56am and dispatched 20 fire trucks, 2 ambulances, and 57 personnel to the scene. The fire was extinguished by 10:26am with no casualties. The outage also impacted several water purification plants and booster pump stations, affecting water pressure in some areas despite emergency generators resuming operations.

Taipower’s afternoon press conference explained the incident and apologized. Spokesman Chang Ting-shu stated that a malfunction in the No. 5 distribution transformer led to the ignition of insulating oil, causing insulation failure and the shutdown of power systems. Power was restored to affected households and facilities by 1:07pm.

This incident highlights the critical role of 24/7 continuous fixed mount thermal imaging monitoring systems. Such systems effectively address the following issues:

1. Real-Time Data Acquisition: Thermal imaging provides real-time data, enabling early detection of potential faults and rapid decision-making to prevent emergencies.
2. Predictive Maintenance: Continuous monitoring helps identify equipment anomalies early, reducing the likelihood of failures and minimizing system downtime.
3. Automated Alarm Monitoring: The system automatically detects and reports abnormal conditions, reducing the need for manual oversight and ensuring prompt response.
4. Enhanced System Reliability: Ongoing monitoring and immediate feedback significantly improve overall system reliability, reducing the frequency of faults.
5. Reduced Maintenance Costs: Preventive maintenance helps avoid the high costs associated with emergency repairs, lowering maintenance expenses.

By incorporating advanced thermal imaging technology, power companies and critical facilities can greatly enhance safety and stability, effectively preventing incidents like fires and outages, and ensuring continuous, reliable power supply.

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source：taipeitimes.com