Not every electrical fault gives an obvious warning.

A connection may begin overheating, insulation can deteriorate, or corona discharge may develop around high-voltage equipment while the system continues to operate. By the time these issues become clearly visible, they may already be affecting asset reliability.

This is why modern electrical maintenance increasingly depends on technologies that allow engineers to identify abnormal conditions before they develop into more serious problems.

At Middle East Energy 2026, we will present the Magns Energy CoroCAM® 8HD, an advanced inspection camera that brings corona detection, thermal imaging and visible imaging together in one system.

For utilities, electrical engineers and maintenance professionals, it provides a different way to look at electrical assets and potentially see problems that conventional visual inspection cannot reveal.

When Electrical Faults Stay Hidden

Electrical equipment can experience several forms of deterioration during operation.

Loose or deteriorating connections may generate abnormal heat. High electrical field concentrations can produce corona discharge. Insulation problems, contamination and ageing components can also create conditions that require investigation.

The challenge is that these conditions are not always easy to identify through a standard visual inspection.

A thermal imaging camera allows an inspector to look for abnormal temperature patterns and hot spots. A corona camera detects ultraviolet emissions associated with electrical discharge.

Each technique provides valuable information, but they are looking at different symptoms.

This is where the CoroCAM® 8HD takes electrical inspection further.

Three Ways to See One Electrical Asset

The CoroCAM® 8HD combines three imaging technologies within a single inspection platform: solar-blind ultraviolet imaging, radiometric thermal imaging and high-definition visible imaging.

The ultraviolet channel helps reveal corona and electrical discharge activity. The thermal channel identifies temperature differences and potential hot spots, while the visible channel gives inspectors a clear reference image of the equipment being examined.

Instead of conducting separate inspections and then trying to correlate the findings, engineers can examine different indicators of equipment condition using the same camera.

This combination can provide valuable context when investigating a suspected electrical fault.

What Can Thermal Imaging Reveal?

Heat is one of the most useful indicators available during electrical condition monitoring.

Abnormal resistance, overloaded components and poor electrical connections can create temperature differences that may be detected with a thermal camera before obvious physical damage appears.

The CoroCAM® 8HD incorporates a radiometric LWIR thermal camera with a 640 × 512 resolution and a published temperature measurement range of -40°C to 160°C.

This allows inspectors to examine temperature patterns across electrical components and identify areas that require further investigation.

For maintenance teams, the objective is not simply to find the hottest component. The real value comes from understanding whether a temperature pattern is unusual for the equipment, operating load and surrounding conditions.

Looking Beyond Heat with Corona Detection

Not every electrical problem generates a significant thermal signature.

Corona discharge occurs when the electric field around an energised component becomes strong enough to ionise the surrounding air. It can occur around high-voltage conductors, insulators, connectors and associated hardware.

Because corona produces ultraviolet radiation, specialised UV imaging technology can make this activity visible to an inspector.

The CoroCAM® 8HD uses a solar-blind ultraviolet detector to locate corona activity during daylight inspection.

This gives engineers another diagnostic perspective, particularly when inspecting high-voltage equipment where discharge activity may exist without an obvious visual or thermal indication.

Why Combine Corona and Hot Spot Detection?

The real strength of the CoroCAM® 8HD lies in combining different types of information.

Imagine an inspector examining a component that shows unusual thermal behaviour. Thermal imaging can identify where the temperature difference exists, but additional inspection may be needed to understand the condition.

If electrical discharge is also detected in the same area, the combination of thermal and ultraviolet information provides another layer of evidence for the maintenance team.

Similarly, corona may be detected even when there is no significant hot spot.

By comparing UV, thermal and visible images, inspectors can build a more complete picture of an asset’s condition instead of relying on a single type of measurement.

From Finding a Fault to Making a Maintenance Decision

Electrical inspection has the greatest value when the information collected helps maintenance teams decide what to do next.

The CoroCAM® 8HD can capture still images, video and radiometric information, allowing inspection findings to be documented for further assessment and reporting.

This supports a condition-based approach to maintenance.

Instead of maintaining every asset solely according to a fixed timetable, teams can use inspection findings alongside other engineering information to identify equipment that requires closer investigation or corrective action.

Over time, documented inspections can also help teams compare equipment condition and observe changes.

The result is a more informed conversation around maintenance priorities.

Where Can CoroCAM® 8HD Make a Difference?

Combined corona and thermal inspection can be particularly relevant for electrical infrastructure where reliability is critical.

For transmission and distribution networks, engineers can investigate overhead lines, insulators, connectors and associated high-voltage hardware.

Within substations, inspection teams can examine energised equipment for unusual thermal behaviour or electrical discharge.

The technology can also support condition monitoring of switchgear and other electrical assets where identifying developing abnormalities can help maintenance teams plan further investigation.

Rather than treating corona detection and thermography as completely separate activities, the CoroCAM® 8HD allows both to become part of a broader electrical condition-monitoring strategy.

Bringing Advanced Electrical Inspection to MEE 2026

This technology will be one of the solutions we will highlight at Middle East Energy 2026, taking place from 1–3 September 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE.

At our stand, we want to go beyond simply showing visitors another camera.

We will help engineers and maintenance professionals understand what the different imaging channels reveal, why corona and thermal conditions are different, and how combining them can improve the way electrical assets are investigated.

If you currently rely on thermographic inspections, this is also an opportunity to explore what ultraviolet corona detection can add to your existing condition-monitoring approach.

Visitors can bring their own inspection challenges and discuss applications involving substations, transmission assets, high-voltage equipment, switchgear and other critical electrical infrastructure.

See What Conventional Inspections May Miss

Electrical maintenance becomes more effective when engineers have better visibility into asset condition.

Thermal imaging can reveal abnormal heat. Corona imaging can reveal electrical discharge. Visible imaging helps pinpoint the equipment being inspected.

The Magns Energy CoroCAM® 8HD brings all three perspectives together, giving inspection teams a more comprehensive way to investigate electrical assets and support informed maintenance decisions.

Get updated and join us at Middle East Energy 2026 from 1–3 September Hall 5 Stall D10 at the Dubai World Trade Centre, UAE, to experience the CoroCAM® 8HD and discuss how advanced electrical fault detection can strengthen your inspection and condition-monitoring strategy.