This paper reviews the research and development of eddy current NDT testing, electrical condition monitoring and the associated instruments, with which the author has been closely involved over the past decade. The first part of the paper presents eddy current testing and imaging methods designed for use in the electrical property measurement of porous metals and liquid metal flow profile imaging during continuous casting. The second part of the paper addresses condition monitoring techniques from fundamental aspects in the high-voltage insulation diagnosis through applications in large-scale generators in conventional power plants to the latest applications in distributed generation systems with wind turbines. Finally, the challenges we will face in these areas are discussed.
The research achievements have shown that the reliability and availability of future industrial processes and advanced energy systems can be increased by the application of improved eddy current sensing and condition monitoring techniques.