OFIL's DayCor® range covers handheld cameras, a UAV camera and camera cores for fixed, mobile and OEM installations. All of them share the same core: DayCor® solar blind UV technology, which captures ultraviolet emissions in the 240 to 280 nm band, where sunlight is blocked by the atmosphere. That is what lets a DayCor® camera detect and pinpoint corona partial discharge (PD) and arcing in full daylight, from a distance, on energized equipment.
Because the technology is shared, the choice of camera comes down to how you inspect: what you inspect, from how far, how often, in what environment, and whether the camera is carried, flown, mounted or integrated. This guide walks through those questions and then compares the current models side by side.
The first thing to consider is the targeted application. The requirements for inspecting long overhead transmission lines or large substations differ from those of overhead distribution lines or indoor installations.
OFIL's cameras are used across five groups of applications, matching the industry pages on ofilsystems.com:
Each application in the decision table below maps to the camera OFIL lists for it.
Each DayCor® camera has a minimum discharge detection figure, expressed as the smallest discharge it detects at a given distance, for example 1 pC at 15 m. For Luminar HD, UVollé, micROM HD, UV Eye and UV EyeScope these figures are tested and certified by the Eurotest laboratory in Germany according to IEC 60270:2000, so they can be compared directly between models.
The working distance is the range from which safe inspection is possible. It differs by model, from up to 40 m / 130 feet for the micROM UAV camera to up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet for Luminar HD and UV Eye. Working distance varies with environmental conditions and corona PD intensity, so treat it as a recommendation, not a fixed number.
The rule of thumb: the further you need to stand from the asset, the more sensitivity and zoom you need. Long transmission spans and large substations call for the highest sensitivity and a powerful zoom. Distribution lines and switchyards are inspected from shorter distances, where a compact camera is enough. Close inspection of components uses close up lenses, available for both handheld models.
Some components are defined as critical and call for more frequent inspections, as do installations in contaminated industrial or coastal areas. Frequency also means having an instrument available when it is needed.
Platform |
DayCor® models |
Typical use |
|---|---|---|
Handheld |
Inspectors carrying the camera in the field, in workshops and in HV labs. Both can be mounted on a standard tripod. | |
UAV |
Aerial inspection of transmission and distribution lines, overhead railway lines, substations and generation. Integration kits for DJI M300/M350, ArcSky X55, RtRobotics HERA and XER X8. | |
Fixed, PTZ and robot mounted |
Continuous monitoring of substations, HVDC converter halls and HV components, and online monitoring of EV motor production lines. Connect through API, ONVIF and RTSP, with customizable UV thresholds for alerts. | |
Vehicle mounted |
Inspection of transmission and distribution lines from a vehicle, with a stabilizing damper mounting plate for vibration. | |
Train mounted |
Inspection of railway overhead lines. | |
OEM integration |
Integration in OEM systems and existing monitoring systems for automated analysis. | |
Airborne |
Multi-Spectral Helicopter Systems |
Helicopter based inspection. See the inspection products page. |
UV inspection adds information that infrared does not capture. UV diagnostics address problems related to voltage distribution and surface voltage gradient. IR diagnostics address problems connected with current and overheating. The two technologies do not overlap in the data they capture or in the inspection conditions and line load they require, so the recommendation is to use a dedicated camera for each inspection. A combination of UV, IR and visual diagnostics increases the reliability of the diagnosis. Read more: Infrared imaging camera vs UV imaging in high voltage systems.
Your inspection |
Recommended camera |
Why |
|---|---|---|
Transmission lines, large substations and generation, inspected from long distances |
Certified 1 pC at 15 m, working distance up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet, 12x optical zoom, built in GPS. | |
Distribution lines, substations and switchyards on routine patrols, with a camera held in one hand |
Certified 1 pC at 12 m, working distance up to 50 to 70 m / 160 to 230 feet, light and compact. | |
Rotating machines, transformers, cables and HV components in design, manufacturing, QA and field service |
Luminar HD or UVollé |
Both are suited for this work. Close up lenses are available for both. Luminar HD is also used in HV research labs. |
Medium voltage switchgear, UPS systems and cable terminations in data centers, mines and heavy industry |
UVollé or Luminar HD |
Both handle indoor and outdoor work and carry a built in LED flashlight for dark compartments. |
Aerial inspection of power lines, overhead railway lines and substations from a UAV |
875 g, certified 1 pC at 8 m, working distance up to 40 m / 130 feet, 20° field of view, electromagnetic shielding, integration kits for DJI M300/M350, ArcSky X55, RtRobotics HERA and XER X8. | |
Continuous monitoring of a substation from a fixed or PTZ position, longest reach |
Certified 1 pC at 15 m, working distance up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet, 12x optical zoom, IP65, HDMI and 1 GbE. | |
Continuous monitoring or vehicle and train mounted inspection, mid range |
1 pC at 15 m, working distance up to 100 m / 330 feet, digital zoom, IP65 and 1 GbE. | |
Compact core with a wide field of view for OEM systems, robots and fixed installations |
Certified 1 pC at 8 m, working distance up to 40 m / 130 feet, 20° field of view, 1.6 kg, IP65 and 1 GbE. | |
Helicopter based inspection |
Multi-Spectral Helicopter Systems |
See the inspection products page and contact OFIL. |
Platform |
Handheld |
Handheld |
UAV |
Core: fixed, PTZ, robot, vehicle, train, OEM |
Core: fixed, PTZ, robot, vehicle, train, OEM |
Core: fixed, PTZ, robot, OEM |
Minimum discharge detection |
1 pC at 15 m, certified |
1 pC at 12 m, certified |
1 pC at 8 m, certified |
1 pC at 15 m, certified |
1 pC at 15 m |
1 pC at 8 m, certified |
Working distance* |
Up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet |
Up to 50 to 70 m / 160 to 230 feet |
Up to 40 m / 130 feet |
Up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet |
Up to 100 m / 330 feet |
Up to 40 m / 130 feet |
Field of view (H x V) |
10° x 5.6° |
6.4° x 4.8° |
20° x 11.25° |
10° x 5.6° |
8° x 4.5° |
20° x 11.25° |
Visible zoom |
12x optical, 12x digital |
10x optical, 12x digital |
3x optical |
12x optical, 12x digital |
4x digital |
3x optical |
Video |
HD 720p |
Video and stills (VX), stills (SX) |
HD 720p |
HD 720p, RTSP, H.264 |
HD 720p, RTSP, H.264 |
HD 720p, RTSP, H.264 |
Display |
5 inch sun readable, 1000 cd/m² |
5 inch sun readable, 1000 cd/m² |
No display; HDMI and RTSP video output |
No display; HDMI and RTSP video output |
No display; RTSP video output |
No display; RTSP video output |
Interfaces |
Ethernet, HDMI, mini USB |
RS232, video out |
HDMI, RTSP, RS232, PWM, UART, Ethernet |
HDMI, 1 GbE, ONVIF, API |
1 GbE, ONVIF, API |
1 GbE, ONVIF, API |
GPS and geotagging |
Built in GPS |
GPS via GTRH sensor accessory |
Data geotagging | |||
Weight |
2.2 kg |
1.39 kg |
875 g |
3.6 kg |
2.1 kg |
1.6 kg |
Accessories |
Close up lenses, temperature and humidity sensor, Connect software, report software, extra batteries |
Close up and wide FOV lenses, TRH meter, GPS |
Integration kits, gimbals, reporting software, batteries, Connect software |
Connect software, stabilizing damper plate |
Connect software, stabilizing damper plate |
Connect software |
The inspection distance can vary according to environmental conditions and corona PD intensity. Full specifications are available on request for each model.
All models display corona overlaid on the visible image, so the discharge is anchored to the emitting component. Inspection data from DayCor® cameras can be managed and analyzed in Gridnostic, OFIL's inspection data platform.
OFIL's range is built to match different budgets, needs, applications and locations, and OFIL works with each customer to find the most appropriate and cost effective solution. Within the handheld range, UVollé is the value for price option and Luminar HD offers best in class sensitivity. Prices depend on configuration and accessories, so the fastest way to get a figure is to request a quote for the model the table points you to.
Yes. DayCor® cameras are solar blind: they capture UV in the 240 to 280 nm band, where sunlight is blocked by the atmosphere, so corona is detected in full daylight without interference.
It is the minimum discharge the camera detects at that distance. For the certified models it is tested and certified by the Eurotest laboratory in Germany according to IEC 60270:2000. It is the figure to use when comparing models.
Yes. UV detects voltage related discharge activity and IR detects heat related faults. They capture different data under different conditions, and OFIL recommends a dedicated camera for each inspection.
Luminar HD, with a working distance of up to 150 to 200 m / 500 to 650 feet and 12x optical zoom. UVollé works from up to 50 to 70 m / 160 to 230 feet and is the lighter, one handed option.
Yes. The UV Eye family connects through API, ONVIF and RTSP, with customizable UV thresholds for alerts, and integrates with video management systems for automated analysis and reporting.
Tell us what you inspect, from what distance and how often, and OFIL's team will recommend a model and send the full specification.
OFIL also offers a personalized onboarding session with every system and product training from half a day to a full day. See the FAQ page for details.