Moog Aircraft manufactures precision aircraft components and relies on reliable electricity. A switchgear failure caused an outage, prompting Moog to address issues. Iris Systems surveyed the switchgear and recommended installing infrared and ultrasound ports in compartments to allow safer, faster inspections without power downs. Iris installed 29 infrared and 31 ultrasound ports over two days, allowing more effective inspections without interruptions.

1. Problem
Moog Aircraft is one of the leading players in the design, manufacture, development
and implementation of a wide range of products, solutions and services for the both the
commercial and military aircraft industries. The company’s production facility in
Wolverhampton manufactures precision components for aircraft landing gear using
cutting edge production technology so a reliable electrical supply is critical to their
production processes.
Challenge
The LV switchgear was already equipped with a small amount of IRISS infrared
inspection panes, however not every compartment in the switchboard was equipped.
The failure of an MCCB in one of the unequipped compartments caused the
shutdown of a critical production area. This prompted Moog to contact Iris Systems
to come up with a solution to avoid further problems in the future.
Solution
On carrying out a survey of the LV
Switchgear Iris Systems recommended the
installation of IRISS VPT-50 & VPT-75
infrared inspection ports in every outgoing
compartment. Further discussions with site
engineers revealed that they also carry out
regular ultrasound inspections of the
switchgear. In order to do this bolts had to
be removed from cover plates throughout
the switchboards in order to use the
ultrasound tester (allowing it to “listen” for
tracking or arcing within the panel).
Although this method provided results, it
wasn’t efficient.
In addition to the VPT range of infrared
inspection ports Iris also recommended
IRISS VPT-12-US ultrasound ports should
be installed in the front door of each
outgoing way in order to allow quicker
ultrasound inspections.
Iris Systems carried out the installation
of 29 Infrared inspection ports and 31
Ultrasound ports over a two day period
with no power downs or any
interruption to site processes. The site
engineers can now carry out more
extensive infrared inspection and more
efficient ultrasound inspections
The installation of the IRISS VPT
range of IR Inspection panes and
ultrasound ports has provided the
client with the following benefits :
 Safer infrared inspection of
live electrical components
 Faster, more efficient
inspection of equipment
 Eliminated the need to
remove bolts/fixings in order
to carry out Ultrasound
inspections.
 Reduced arc flash risk
To find out how Iris Systems can
improve your predictive maintenance
routines visit www.irissystems.co.uk