Eddy Current Testing - An Introduction
Eddy Current Testing An Introduction
Interview conducted by Kalwinder Kaur Oct 8 2013
John Hansen, Managing Director/CEO of Ether NDE Ltd, talks to AZoM about Eddy
Current Testing.
What is an Eddy Current NDT?
Eddy Current Testing is one of the many Nondestructive Testing (NDT) methods. Well
known methods include XRay and Ultrasonic testing. Eddy Current NDT uses the
principle of electromagnetic induction to detect discontinuities in conductive materials.
A coil that is the sensing part of a probe is energized with an alternating current and
scanned over the material to be tested, discontinuities cause very small changes in the
coils impedance, which are displayed on the eddy current NDT instrument and are then
interpreted by the operator to determine the quality of what is being tested.
It is a particularly appropriate method to apply if the material is coated by say paint (e.g.
Oil Rig Welds or Aircraft), or the point to be inspected is difficult to access (e.g., bolt
holes or heat exchanger tubes).
Widely used as part of a quality assurance program in all safety critical and high value
asset inspections including Aircraft, Power Stations, Bridges, Amusement Rides,
Automotive etc.
As with all NDT methods Eddy Current Testing has its own system of personnel
certification including ASNT (USA) and PCN (UK).
Can you provide me with an overview on ETher NDE?
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Eddy Current Testing - An Introduction
Ether NDE is an Eddy Current specific manufacturer of nondestructive testing NDT
equipment, probes and accessories. ETher NDE offers the best in Eddy Current NDT
specialists and knowledge for all your application issues.
Collectively the ETher NDE team has over 150 years of nondestructive testing
experience and a vast amount of Eddy Current specific knowledge. We credit ourselves
with being easily contactable and happy to offer advice to anyone with an Eddy Current
NDT application question.
Talk to us about one of your products and how it
works?
The SigmaCheck is ETher NDE’s Eddy Current Conductivity Meter. The best place to
start to understand how it works is to look at the theory of conductivity.
Electrical conductivity is the measurement of a material's ability to conduct an electric
current. This is the inverse of electrical resistivity, measuring a material's ability to resist
an electric current.
Conductivity in metal is established using Ohm’s Law, which states that a current through
a conductor between two points, is directly proportional to the potential difference across
the two points. The resistance of the material, which is a constant for that material, allows
the usual mathematical equation for this relationship to be true.
Conductivity is widely used to indicate the material type and determine the state of heat
treatment. In order to give accurate readings the SigmaCheck uses a threepoint
reference method, the first measurement with the probe in the air and then two further
measurements are required which span the range of interest.
The SigmaCheck is supplied with a detachable reference piece with two standards that
span the range of commonly used metals.
The main advantages of the SigmaCheck include:
High Resolution Colour Display (2.8”, 320 pixels by 240 pixels).
Accurate Conductivity Range (0.5% IACS to 110% IACS, 0.2864 MS/m).
Wide range of Frequencies for testing thin materials (60kHz, 120kHz, 240kHz,
480kHz). Option of 960kHz.
Nonconductive Coating Thickness Measurement display up to 0.5mm.
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Eddy Current Testing - An Introduction
Lightweight (350 grams/12 oz.). Ergonomic SlimLine Case design and easyto
hold Probe with adjustable fingergrip.
With the advantages in mind, the key benefits of the SigmaCheck include:
User programmable display.
2GB of data storage. Able to store over one million data points.
Uploaded data can be viewed using MS Excel.
Intelligent charger via USB Port or AC Supply.
Multiple languages available. E.g. English, German, French, Spanish.
Excellent resistance to “edge effect”.
Rapid Display of Conductivity Results.
Battery life (up to 6 hours).
Firmware can be upgraded in field.
Different probes may be configured by loading the appropriate probe map from SD
Card.
Realtime clock for time and date so that readings can be “stamped”.
Realtime PC control via USB or optional RS232 link.
The SigmaCheck takes advantage of the latest improvements in electronics and
microprocessor technology as well as the ETher teams collective 150 years plus of
experience in making eddy current instruments. We believe that the SigmaCheck offers
the market a new modern perspective on Eddy Current Conductivity Measurement with
all the functionalities an inspector demands from this type of instrument.
Can you discuss the main advantages to Eddy current
testing?
The biggest advantage of Eddy Current NDT is that it is a clean NDT method. Unlike UT,
Eddy Current NDT requires no fluid couplant; therefore, providing a faster scanning
speed than conventional ultrasonic testing (UT).
The surfaces need minimal preparation as Eddy current testing can be used through
several millimetres of coating and can detect very small cracks in or near the surface of
the material.
Most Eddy Current testing equipment is portable meaning that it is easier for physically
complex geometries to be investigated. There is also no need for the test probe to
contact the component making Eddy Current NDT ideal for sensitive inspection areas.
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Finally the Eddy Current NDT method often provides immediate feedback.
Are there any application areas that are emerging for
Eddy Currents?
We have seen a great increase in demand for Eddy Current Weld Inspection Specific
Equipment and Probes; especially within the Offshore Oil Industry. This is an application
area of our business that we see growing rapidly and we are striving to make sure that
we are recognized for our product quality, reliability and support within this industry.
Another growing area for NDT is Alternative Energy Sources including Wind Power and
is an industry that will only keep expanding. We want to be visible to this market and
make sure that our technology is complimentary to the needs of these industries in the
future.
Can you discuss the advanced concepts for your
technology?
There are five main advanced concepts for Eddy Current NDT applications:
Remote Field
This particular type of Eddy Current testing involves the use of ID probes, which helps
indicate wall thickness changes on magnetic material and solves problems with using
conventional eddy current methods on magnetic material.
Simultaneous Use of Multiple Frequencies
There are a range of frequencies that can help detect an array of surface and sub
surface defects, and so by using a range of these frequencies, it becomes possible to
categorize difficulttodetect defects. Being able to manipulate the phase separation and
the x/y gain, it becomes possible to minimize unwanted signals, giving a more accurate
reading on indications.
Simultaneous Use of Absolute and Differential Tests
Simultaneous testing for surface and subsurface defects can also be in the form of an
absolute and differential testing format. Absolute testing provides good sensitivity for
small defects (i.e., cracks and small pits); whereas, differential testing is suitable for large
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defects including corrosion and material property changes.
Arrays
These are probes with multiple detection coils that allow wide areas to be covered in one
pass rapidly and with improved reliability. The disadvantage is cost and the fact that
complex geoemetries probes have to be tailormade for each application.
Use of Imaging
Imaging to produce surface maps of the integrity of a material surface also add more
value to an inspection especially when combined with multiple frequencies and/or arrays.
How do you plan on improving your "We are striving to
services for your clients? be recognized as
thought leaders in
We plan to introduce more products enhancing customer our field."
choice while keeping the enduser in mind. We aim to to
grow our business whilst retaining the personal relationships that we are building with all
of our customers. As part of the ETher Core Principals, clientbusiness relationships,
client satisfaction and support are extremely important to ETher as we believe that happy
clients are returning clients.
As well as offering quality products we are working to continue to expand our website
content including more applicationbased information with a broadening focus on
education in Eddy Current NDT. We are striving to be recognized as thought leaders in
our field.
You are scheduled to exhibit at a number of
conferences this year. What will be your main focus
for these events?
This year has seen less exhibitions and conferences compared to 2012 where we were
Gold Sponsors at the WCNDT in Durban as well as attending a further 14 exhibitions;
however, this has meant that there has been a huge opportunity to be more creative with
our stands this year.
As well as supporting our distributors worldwide at their local conferences, we did
showcase at the Materials Testing 2013 conference in Telford in September. The main
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Eddy Current Testing - An Introduction
focus for this stand was to bring together all the companies that operate under the
watchful eye of Mike Reilly including Baugh & Weedon and Imaginos NDE.
We were lucky enough to have a 48meter squared stand at MT 2013 and the main
emphasis was based around the theme of “movement”. We wanted to have a stand that
was interactive and allowed our visitors to touch, feel and operate our equipment.
We are also due to attend the ASNT Fall Conference in Las Vegas in November. Due to
the draw of its location, we expect this show to be very busy and made sure we got our
booking finalised as soon as the spaces became available.
As with Materials Testing, I am due to give a presentation at the show on the advantages
of using eddy current for weld inspection. This is something that we felt was important to
cement our place in the market as a significant knowledge leader in Eddy Current NDT.
Where can we find further information on your
products and services?
If you want honest answers from knowledgeable, downtoearth Eddy Current NDT
specialists then ETher NDE is the company for you. If you give us a call, you’ll go straight
to Karen, who alone is an absolute fountain of product knowledge. She’ll be able to direct
you to the right team member for your question. Within the ETher NDE offices we house
the Hardware, Software, Applications, Probe Manufacturing, Electronics, Sales and
Marketing teams so you will be sure to get the correct person for your needs.
Ultimately we like to keep it simple at ETher; the ability to speak to someone as soon as
possible that can give knowledgeable answers to your questions.
There are a number of ways that you can get in touch with ETher NDE. Firstly you can
email us at sales@[Link] or call +44 (0)1582 767912. You can also check out our
site for all the latest news and details of our products.
About John Hansen
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John Hansen was born in Africa. Studied Electronic
Engineering at Southampton University, UK and since
1977 has been involved in the application of technology
to help improve the reliability and safety of non
destructive testing.
In 1997 he joined Unit Inspection (an NDT company
originally owned by state owned British Steel but the
latter became Oceaneering UK) where he codeveloped
the original ACPD MicroGauge and then the U7 variant.
In parallel with developing products, John was also
involved in the application of special NDT techniques
such as Acoustic Emission, Automated UT,
Thermography, Strain Gauging and Eddy Current tube inspection. In 1984 he joined the
UK eddy current instrument and probe manufacturer Hocking NDT. In 2004 GE
purchased Hocking outright.
Following the closure of the Hocking factory in December 2009 John cofounded with
Mike Reilly ETher NDE an Eddy Current Instrument and Probe manufacturer. Currently
John is an elected council member and ViceChairman of the Trade Group for BINDT.
Disclaimer: The views expressed here are those of the interviewee and do not
necessarily represent the views of [Link] Limited (T/A) AZoNetwork, the owner
and operator of this website. This disclaimer forms part of the Terms and Conditions
of use of this website.
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Eddy Current Testing - An Introduction
Ether NDE Ltd.
Address
Endeavour House, 18 Brick Knoll Park
St Albans
Hertfordshire, AL1 5UG
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 (158) 276 7912
Visit Website
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Ether NDE are a dedicated manufacturer of Eddy Current NDT equipment and
accessories including a vast range of EC Weld Probes, ET Weld Probes and ECT Weld
Probes and are the 'go to' company for all your Eddy Current NDT Solutions.
Ether NDE continually strives to provide innovative solutions to eddy current testing in all
possible inspection conditions.
Offering a range of innovative eddy current testing instruments and probes, Ether NDE
will endeavour to find the solution that best fits the clients specific needs.
Ether NDE Products Include:
Flaw Detectors
Conductivity Meters
Aircraft Wheel Inspection Systems
ECT Eddy Current Technologies
Ferroscope Systems (Russell NDE)
Weld Probes
EC Weld Probes
ET Weld Probes
ECT Weld Probes
PECT Systems
ETher NDE pride themselves on the ability to remain client focussed, conducting their
business with three simple customer promises:
The ability to speak to someone who understands their products and your
application
Industry leading delivery on goods and the ability to respond to your unique
challenges
Provide products that are second to none in both performance and quality.
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