A zoom camera identifies an unknown line, indicating that the corresponding city asset map must be updated.
Click here to enlarge imageTypically, an operator’s hands are occupied with the pole and zoom controls, so productivity can be improved with a belt or vest that holds the control interface, battery, viewer/recorder and accessories. Operator fatigue and battery life determine how much gets inspected in a shift, so a control vest needs to distribute the weight of the system components evenly, and a lightweight, long-lasting battery technology like nickel metal hydride (NiMH) is essential.
Aside from these basic considerations, other features are available to extend the capability of zoom inspection. Distance measurement, which displays the distance to an in-focus target onscreen, is ideal for determining the location of a pipe tap, blockage or collapse. Integration with GIS and inspection documentation software programs makes it easy to correlate inspection footage to maps and written notes, allowing annotation, archiving and retrieval.
A zoom inspection camera is optimized for the task of pipeline zooming, but the technology is versatile enough to serve other areas of infrastructure maintenance, as well. In an emergency situation, they can be used to identify the origin of a backup or overflow, or to pinpoint a collapse.
Manhole inspection is an integral part of infrastructure assessment, and some zoom cameras can be adapted for wide-angle viewing. A wide field of view allows a camera to see larger regions of a manhole wall or other up-close target. It also allows an operator to capture the entire circumference of a manhole wall from a downward-looking vantage point. Commonly, use of a wide-angle lens requires a lamp diffuser for even illumination.
Cleaning crews can use cameras to examine a line before cleaning, and then again afterward to judge the effectiveness of cleaning. To monitor the efficacy of a specific cutter or nozzle, a technician can view its performance in real time from a downstream manhole. In the contractor market, where profitability demands that service jobs be quoted accurately, a zoom inspection camera also can help a bidder assess the scope of work in advance.
About the Author:
Richard Lindner is President of Envirosight, LLC, based in Randolph, NJ. The company specializes in video pipeline inspection. Its QuickView zoom inspection camera carries several zooming patents and patents pending. The company also manufactures video inspection crawlers. More information on the company and its products can be found at www.envirosight.com