EDDY CURRENT TESTING

WHAT IS NON DESTRUCTIVE

TESTING?
Nondestructive testingorNon-destructive testing(NDT) is a wide group
of analysis techniques used in science and industry to evaluate the properties
of a material, component or system without causing damage.

In contrast to NDT, other tests are destructive in nature and are therefore
done on a limited number of samples ("lot sampling"), rather than on the
materials, components or assemblies actually being put into service.

Discontinuities and differences in material characteristics are effectively found

by NDT.

METHODS OF NDT

NDT is commonly used inforensic engineering,mechanical engineering,petroleum engineering,electrical engineering,civil

engineering,systems engineering,aeronautical engineering,medicine, andart

PRINCIPLES OF ECT
What are Eddy currents ?
Eddy Currents are closed loops of
induced current circulating in planes
perpendicular to the magnetic flux. They
normally travel parallel to the coil's
winding and the flow is limited to the
area of the inducing magnetic field.

Mutual inductance is the phenomenon

utilized in producing eddy currents.

PRINCIPLES OF ECT
Testing apparatus functioning
Alternate current induces a primary field in a
test probe which is a coil of wire wounded
around an iron core.

The primary field induces Eddy Currents in the

tube wall

The Eddy Currents induce a secondary field,

which has an affect to the coil impedance

For example ECT of cracks Defects in the tube

wall are changing the secondary field and
consequently the impedance of the coil

The change of the coil impedance can be

measured by using a CRO or some GUI which
has been specially made for this purpose.

PRINCIPLES OF ECT
Result of ECT
The figure shows a general
result for eddy current
testing. As the probe
passes over the defect it
creates a signal on the CRO
or any other display
connected to the probe and
this varies from the normal
plot. If we plot this signal
against distance or depth
we can find where the
crack is.

TYPES OF PROBES
Absolute Probes
Absolute probes generally have a single
test coil that is used to generate the
eddy currents and sense changes in the
eddy current field.

Differential Probes
Differential probes have two active coils
usually wound. When the two coils are
over a flaw area of test sample, there is
differential signal developed between
the coils since they are both inspecting
different material.

Reflection Probes
Reflection probes have two coils similar
to a differential probe, but one coil is
used to excite the eddy currents and the
other is used to sense changes in the
test material

APPLICATIONS OF ECT
Crack Detection
Tube and Wire Testing
Condenser Tube Inspection
Material Testing
Weld Testing
Coating Thickness Measurement

WHY USE ECT?

Large variety of applications

Can be calibrated extensively
to fit sensitivity requirements

Inspection gives immediate

results and real-time data

WHY USE
ECT?
of
Extensive cleaning
test subject not
required, but the
material should not
contain large dirt
particles

Equipment is relatively
cheap and portable (it
is small and handy)

WHY USE
ECT?

Can be used to easily

inspect hard to reach

places (such as pipes
or other holes)

Can be automated
through computers,
and the data can be
recorded

LIMITATIONS OF ECT
Only conductive materials can be
inspected

Detects surface and near surface

defects (To go deeper, a lot of
calibration and current needed);
as a consequence the surface
must be accessible to the probe

Skill and training required is

more extensive than other
techniques (calibrating,
operating cro, interpreting data)

 Surface finish and roughness may

interfere (knurls etc. may interfere)

Flaws such as delaminations that

lie parallel to the probe coil
winding and probe scan direction
are undetectable because they do
not interfere with the eddy
currents.

Not suitable for large of very

complex structures

THAN
K
YOU