Unit – III Eddy Current Testing & Thermography

Q.No Questions
How eddy current is generated?
When a conductor is exposed to a changing magnetic field, such as when it moves
1.
relative to a magnetic field or when the magnetic field itself changes over time,
eddy currents are generated within the conductor.
Write the principle of eddy current testing.
Eddy currents are produced on the surface of any electrical conducting material
2. where an alternating magnetic field is generated by AC coil.
In case that there is a crack on the surface of the material, circulation of the eddy
currents is disturbed by the crack.
State at least two properties of eddy current.
3.  They flow in closed loops within conductor
 They flow in a plane that is parallel to coil winding or material surface
List the advantages of eddy current test.

High Sensitivity: It can detect small cracks and defects, especially near the surface
of conductive materials.
No Contact Required: Since ECT relies on electromagnetic fields, there is no need
4.
for direct contact with the material being tested.
Fast and Immediate Results: ECT provides real-time data, making it possible to
inspect components quickly.
Works on Coated Materials: Eddy current testing can be used on materials with
thin coatings without affecting the results.
Define the effectiveness of eddy current.
The effectiveness of eddy current testing (ECT) refers to how well it detects and
5. characterizes defects or material properties in conductive materials. Several factors
determine the effectiveness of eddy current testing:
Material Conductivity, Depth of Penetration, Defect Size and Orientation, Surface
Condition
Compare absolute probes and differential probes used in Eddy Current Testing.
Absolute Probes Differential Probes
1. An absolute probe consists of a single 1. A differential probe has two or more coils
coil that is used both for inducing eddy that are connected in such a way that they
currents and measuring the resulting detect differences in eddy current responses
impedance change in the material. between the areas under the coils.
6.
2. Measures the absolute value of the 2. Measures the difference in impedance
impedance change as the probe moves between two adjacent locations, which makes
across the material. it more sensitive to localized changes or small
defects.
3. Best suited for applications where a 3. used in high-precision inspections.
general inspection is needed
What is the effect of conductivity and frequency on coil impedance?
7. Effect of Conductivity on Coil Impedance:
 When a material has high conductivity, it generates stronger eddy currents.
  Eddy currents in highly conductive materials are more localized near the surface
due to the skin effect, which limits penetration depth.
Effect of Frequency on Coil Impedance:
 At higher frequencies, eddy currents are concentrated more strongly near the
surface of the material.
 Higher frequencies result in more eddy current opposition (reactance) in the coil,
increasing the overall impedance. However, sensitivity to deeper defects is reduced.
Why the eddy current signals near the edges are misleading?
Eddy current signals near the edges of a material can be misleading due to a phenomenon
8. known as the "edge effect." This effect occurs because the behaviour of eddy currents is
altered when the probe approaches the edge of the material, leading to misleading signals
that can be mistaken for defects.
What are the factors affecting eddy current testing?
9. Conductivity, Magnetic Permeability, Thickness, Probe Design and Selection, Lift-off
Distance, Defect Characteristics, Temperature, Coating and Surface Conditions.
What is the principle of Infrared Thermography in NDT?
10. Infrared Thermography is based on detecting and analyzing the thermal radiation emitted
by objects to identify temperature variations that may indicate defects or anomalies.
What is the influence of emissivity in thermal inspection process?
Surfaces with high emissivity (close to 1) emit infrared radiation efficiently, making the
11. temperature measurements more accurate and reliable.
Emissivity variations can affect the visibility of defects in thermal images. Accurate
emissivity settings ensure that defects such as heat leaks, insulation failures, or structural
anomalies are detected and assessed correctly.
List the advantages of themography inspection.
No Physical Contact: Thermography does not require physical contact with the object
being inspected, which means there is no risk of damaging the material or component.
12. Wide Area Scanning: Thermography can cover large areas quickly, making it suitable for
inspecting extensive surfaces, such as building facades, electrical panels, or machinery.
Preventive Maintenance
Instant Feedback: Quick feedback helps in making timely decisions and addressing issues
promptly.
Enumerate the instruments used for infrared detection.
Infrared Cameras : Capture and display thermal images (thermograms) of objects by
detecting infrared radiation.
13. Infrared Thermometers: Measure the temperature of an object by detecting the infrared
radiation emitted from its surface.
Thermal Imagers: Similar to infrared cameras, thermal imagers are used for detecting and
visualizing heat patterns in real-time.
What are the applications of thermography test?
Energy Audits: Identifying heat loss, air leaks, and insulation deficiencies in buildings to
improve energy efficiency and reduce utility costs.
Hot Spots: Identifying overheating components, loose connections, and overloaded circuits
14. in electrical panels, switchgear, and wiring systems.
Equipment Monitoring
Engine Monitoring: Detecting overheating components, coolant leaks, and exhaust system
issues.
Perimeter Monitoring: Enhancing security by monitoring large areas for temperature
changes indicative of movement or activity.
 Differentiate between active thermography and passive thermography.
Active Thermography Passive Thermography
1. Active thermography involves 1. Passive thermography relies on detecting
applying an external energy source to the naturally occurring thermal radiation from the
material or system being tested to induce material or system without applying any
a thermal response. external heat or cooling.
15. 2. Suitable for detecting Sub surface 2. Suitable for continuous monitoring of
defects. equipment or structures to detect any changes in
thermal patterns over time.

3. Requires additional equipment or 3. No additional equipment or setup is required