Thermal Cameras Have Blind Spots
Infrared cameras require a clear line of sight to the surface being measured. In the real world, many of the most failure-prone electrical components live inside enclosures, behind barriers, or in environments where optical measurement is impractical:
- ✗Transformer bushing terminals — recessed, behind hardware
- ✗Load tap changer contacts — inside sealed housings
- ✗Cable splices inside underground vaults
- ✗High-current bus joints covered by insulation wrap
- ✗Switchgear contacts inside metal-enclosed cabinets
- ✗EAF electrode arm connections in electromagnetic noise environments
Contact Sensing, Anywhere
HeatWave transponders attach directly to the surface being monitored. They work in environments cameras cannot access — and in highly confined metallic enclosures, RF reflections actually improve read performance rather than degrading it.
- ✓Direct contact measurement — emissivity uncertainty eliminated
- ✓Works inside sealed enclosures, cabinets, vaults
- ✓Faraday cage environments enhance performance
- ✓Safe attachment to high-voltage conductors — no electrical connection
- ✓Polling up to 64 sensors per second per reader
- ✓Integrated with PowerIntel, SCADA, PI System
HeatWave Technical Specifications
| Frequency | 902–928 MHz (US) / 865–868 MHz (EU) |
| Measurement Accuracy | ±2°C |
| Operating Temperature | −25°C to +80°C |
| Storage Temperature | −40°C to +80°C |
| Ingress Protection | IP69K (hermetically sealed) |
| Power Supply | Passive — no battery required |
| Data Retention | 50 years |
| MTBF | >20 years |
| Dimensions | 95 × 25 × 5 mm |
| Mounting | Screw, rivet, 3M 300LSE tape |
| Compliance | EPC Class 1 Gen 2 / ISO 18000-6C · RoHS |
| Read Range (free space) | Up to 35 ft (11 m) |
| Read Range (metal surface) | Up to 50 ft with large metallic backplane |
| Sensor Polling Rate | Up to 64 sensors per second |
| Interface | RJ45 Ethernet PoE |
| Frequency | 902–928 MHz / 865–868 MHz |
| Gain | 9 dBi |
| Operating Temperature | −40°C to +80°C |
| Wind Rating | 60 m/s |
| Integration | PowerIntel MasterMind · JSON · DNP3 · MODBUS |
HeatWave sensors are deployed complementary to RADIX thermal cameras. Cameras cover the wide-area optical view; HeatWave extends continuous monitoring to specific high-priority contact points where optical access is limited or emissivity measurement is unreliable.
Where HeatWave Is Installed
Transformer Bushings
Bond transponders to bushing flanges to detect conductor loosening and insulation breakdown early — the leading cause of transformer failures.
Load Tap Changers
Contact wear and arcing inside LTC diverter switch housings are undetectable by cameras. HeatWave provides continuous visibility.
Bus Joints & Splices
High-current lugs, splice bars, flexible cable terminations, and bus supports — all attachment points where resistance growth is the first sign of failure.
EAF Meltshop Equipment
Electrode arm connectors, secondary bus ducts, delta-closure boxes, and rectifier cabinets in electromagnetically intense steel mill environments.
Underground Vaults
Deployed at Hartsfield-Jackson and JOEMC substations inside underground cable vault environments where camera placement is impractical.
Solar & Data Center Inverters
Internal cabinet monitoring for inverter components and DC bus connections — environments that closely approximate Faraday cages where HeatWave excels.
Extend Your Thermal Monitoring Coverage
HeatWave works alongside RADIX cameras as part of an integrated PowerIntel monitoring deployment. Our engineers identify the assets that need contact sensing vs. optical coverage in your specific facility.