PD Camera for Partial Discharge Detection
Partial discharge doesn’t announce itself before it fails. The DayCor® UVollé is a solar-blind UV PD camera that detects corona discharge on energized high and medium voltage assets — in full daylight, from distances of 50–70 meters, without removing equipment from service. Used by utility engineers, rotating machine manufacturers, data center operators, railway maintenance teams, and industrial facilities across North America and internationally.
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DayCor® UVollé
DayCor® UVollé-X compact handheld solar-blind UV PD camera for daytime inspections of electrical apparatuses in/outdoors, with special emphasis on ergonomic design and ease of operation. UVollé family incorporates OFIL’s solar blind bi-spectral UV-Visible DayCor® technology having the highest sensitivity to corona signals as well as perfect signals positioning and a large Sun Readable WVGA LCD. UVollé cameras are used for remote non-destructive testing of high & medium voltage apparatuses, for seeing pinpointed information about corona partial discharge, and for recording videos with corona discharge. UVollé corona cameras reveal and display, in real time on-the fly, existing voltage related faults. OFIL offers two variants UVollé- SX & UVollé- VX. These variants differ in their ability to take videos or stills. All other characteristics remain similar. Fit for predictive maintenance in electrical utilities, metal fabricators (FAB), heavy industries, mines, refineries, data centers, workshops, electrical contractors and owners of high and medium voltage assets.
Product Key Features
High Sensitivity:
High sensitivity to PD detection at 1pC @ 12m, certified by Eurotest lab.
Non-Destructive Testing:
Allows for safe inspections from a distance of up to 50-70 meters*
Easy to Use:
Remarkably intuitive and effortlessly easy to use.
Compact and Light-weight:
Designed to be comfortably used and held with just one hand.
*The inspection distance can vary according to environmental conditions and corona PD intensity
Applications
Handheld Inspection of Electric utilities — substations and power lines
Inspect insulators, switchgear, bushings, and distribution lines during live operations. Used for commissioning, periodic patrols, fault investigation, and pre-washing surveys. Results include GPS-tagged corona video for trending and maintenance records.
Handheld Inspection of Rotating Machines, Transformers, Cables, and other HV Components
Detect surface corona on stator windings, HV motors, and generator components during manufacturing QA, commissioning, and in-service maintenance. Identify PD before winding insulation degrades to the point of failure.
Handheld Inspection of Traction Substations for Railways
Conduct non-contact corona inspection of traction substations, pantograph systems, and overhead contact lines. Operates outdoors in all daylight conditions, supporting scheduled maintenance without service interruption.
Handheld Inspection of Substations and Power Lines in Mines, Data Centers, and Heavy Industries
Inspect medium voltage switchgear, UPS systems, and cable terminations in energized data center environments. Identify partial discharge before it triggers unplanned downtime in mission-critical facilities.
What the DayCor® UVollé PD Camera Detects
Discover unexpected faults and pinpoint their location. Find out in real time existing corona, known as the source for corrosive processes in insulation, metal fittings, concrete etc., radio interreferences, audio noise and ultraviolet radiation.
PD Camera for Predictive Maintenance Programs
Inspecting with UVollé supports predictive maintenance. UVollé scores corona severity and indicates it on the output. The recorded corona blobs and their count together with narration, ambient conditions and GPS that are added by a dedicated GTRH sensor are the results of inspections. Aggregates of corona occurrences constitute the history of inspections and the base for trending analysis.
Smart PD Camera
Multiple options are available onboard such as controlling sensitivity in order to focus on the corona source; changing the color of corona in order to make it stand out against the background; count corona events; select focus mode and zoom; or change the camera default settings. Optional accessories include lenses, remote controls, GTRH sensor and external monitors.
DayCor® Technology Inside
UVollé is a solar blind bi-spectral UV-Visible camera that incorporates Ofil’s exclusive proprietary DayCor® technology [Registered Patent EP1112459B1]. UVollé provides reliable accurate data, showing the original occurrences of corona anchored to the emitters, operating continuously without overheating.
Field-Ready Design for Utility Inspection Teams
Inspectors expect to get more, fast, simple and clear. UVollé is built for inspectors, offering simple intuitive operation, user friendly interface, fast response, clear results of corona events. Turn on, aim, shoot and store. Neither calibrations nor any further adjustments are needed throughout its life.
One PD Camera for Substation, Switchyard, and Workshop
A sun readable spacious LCD with brightness control supports outdoor operation, while backlit keyboard and a powerful LED flashlight fit indoors shady conditions. Dynamic FOV with manual and auto focus match indoors inspections of nearby objects as well as outdoor inspection of remote objects. Long battery runtime support outdoor activity and AC/DC inlet is handy for indoors. Ongoing operation without overheating supports both indoors and outdoors, ensuring stable availability.
Frequently asked questions
What is a PD camera?
A PD camera (partial discharge camera) is a non-contact inspection tool that detects and images partial discharge — the localized electrical breakdown that occurs on high-voltage assets before full failure. PD cameras use solar-blind UV technology to visualize corona discharge in real time, enabling maintenance teams to identify deteriorating insulators, damaged cables, and faulty switchgear before they cause outages.
How does a UV PD camera work?
UV PD cameras filter out visible and near-UV light while capturing the narrow UV waveband (240–280 nm) emitted by corona discharge. The DayCor® UVollé overlays this UV corona signal on a standard visible-light image, allowing inspectors to see exactly where partial discharge is occurring on energized equipment — without shutting it down or making contact.
What is the inspection range of the DayCor® UVollé PD camera?
The DayCor® UVollé detects partial discharge at distances of up to 50–70 meters, depending on environmental conditions and PD intensity. It achieves a certified sensitivity of 1pC at 12 meters, verified by Eurotest laboratory.
Can a PD camera be used in daylight?
Yes — the DayCor® UVollé uses OFIL’s proprietary solar-blind UV technology, which filters out solar radiation to enable reliable corona detection in full daylight. This is a key differentiator from conventional UV cameras that require low-light or nighttime conditions to function accurately.
What assets can be inspected with a PD camera?
PD cameras are used to inspect any high or medium voltage asset where surface corona discharge indicates insulation degradation. Common applications include: power line insulators, substation equipment, switchgear, transformers, and bushings (electric utilities); stator windings, HV motors, and generator components (rotating machine manufacturers and OEMs); traction substations and overhead contact lines (railways); medium voltage switchgear and cable terminations (data centers); and industrial HV equipment in mines, refineries, and heavy manufacturing facilities.