Undetected overloads and incorrect installation of switchboards can lead to overheating, fires and product failures. Previously, it has been difficult to permanently monitor the temperature of switchboards because cables or batteries could not come into direct contact with the power rails due to high voltages. The normal method of temperature measurements with an infrared camera meant shutting off the switchboard, so continual monitoring was not possible. “RFID sensors are better suited for this,” explains Dr. Andreas Weder, leader of development at Fraunhofer IPMS. “The wireless data and energy transmission technology from RFID technology is used by the measuring device and transmitted to the sensors.”

The sensor system, developed by Fraunhofer IPMS , measures the temperature on the screw connection of the power rails directly and without interruptions. If these heat up, it can lead to problems in the switchboards. Intelligent software solutions can be integrated into sensor systems of existing production environments and connected to the available control systems.