Energy: Engineering a Cleaner Future

The radical and fundamental changes currently being made to our energy infrastructure are a vital factor in creating a cleaner, healthier and more efficient world. Investing in renewable energy as a crucial source of power should always be the first choice – however, as a relatively emerging market, there are still areas that have minimal research available when it comes to fire safety.

And this is why early detection is necessary to preventing a wide-spread disaster.

High profile applications within this sector include:

Solar Photovoltaic

Did you know that in 2023, solar panel fires went up six-fold when compared to 2019?

As an increasingly popular market, solar power systems are incredibly versatile – ranging from single homes to huge energy farms. However, with inadequate regulations for fire detection, solar panels are often left terrifyingly susceptible. Frequently, the only way to detect a fire on a solar panel is with the human eye, which is often unsuspecting, as this video of a UK supermarket shows.

And with threats from several sources, such as short circuits, debris, and overheating of the panels, associated cabling and inverters, this unreliable method of detection can be the difference between life and death.

Unimpacted by the elements, linear heat detection is the perfect solution for early fire detection in the solar energy sector – and it can be easily retrofitted to any existing solar application.

Thermocable’s ProReact digital and analogue products provide continuous and extensive coverage of fire detection along its entire length – ensuring a change in temperature can be pinpointed to a specific area, and the devastating impact of fire within the solar sector can be rapidly quelled.

Additional applications are:

• Hydrogen power
• HV/MV transformers
• Switch gear and electrical
• Power and transmission tunnels

Benefits of Linear Heat Detection in the Energy Market

Cost/Value Benefits:

• Low installation costs and minimal maintenance effort versus alternative technologies
• Less labour required to install when compared to spot heat detection
• Cable does not require maintenance
• Will not false alarm in dusty or dirty environments, which prevents emergency service callouts, fines, and wasted time

Functionality Benefits:

• Can be positioned directly onto the asset being protected
• Analogue technology is programmable to alarm temperatures, with pre-alarm options
• Digital technology can identify alarm location at any point along the length of cable from exposure to a tiny flame

Installation/Environmental Benefits

• Range of alarm temperatures available to suit a wide scope of ambient conditions
• Safe to install outdoors or in cold storage/freezers down to -40degC (-40degF)
• High temperature variants suitable for ambient temperatures up to +170degC (338degF)
• Can be subject to differing temperatures along the length of the cable
• Can be installed outdoors in direct sunlight
• Cable coating materials available to offer chemical and oil resistance
• Can resist mechanical abrasion with stainless steel braiding options

Download our application guide for more information – or get in touch today!