8/6/2018 Eddy Current Array Technology for Better NDT

ECA

Eddy Current Array (ECA)

Eddy current array (ECA) technology uses several individual coils grouped
together in one assembly. So, in essence, ECA is supercharged eddy current
testing (ECT).

How it Works
An eddy current array, in its simplest form, is a series of single elements arranged in a row, allowing
users to cover a larger area in a single pass than conventional, single-coil probes (i.e., pencil probes
using ECT). However, this could lead to suboptimal results. That’s why ECA probes use multiplexing.

Multiplexing involves activating and deactivating coils in speci c sequences to leverage the probe’s
width. Multiplexing also minimizes the interference between coils in close proximity (mutual
inductance) and maximizes the resolution of the probe.

ECA probes effectively eliminate the raster scanning necessary when using ECT pencil probes. This
has a signi cant impact on inspection speeds.

Bene ts
ECA is a major improvement over single-element ECT because:

Faster inspections

Wider coverage

Less operator dependent — eddy current array probes yield more consistent results compared to
manual raster scans

Better detection capabilities

Easier analysis because of simpler scan patterns

Improved positioning and sizing because of encoded data

Eddy current array probes can easily be designed to be exible or shaped to speci cations, making
hard-to-reach areas easier to inspect

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Tubing Applications

Detection Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Acceptable,Acceptable,
ID pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
but limited but limited

Acceptable, Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

OD pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent
but limited suitable  suitable but limited  but limited 

Acceptable, Not Acceptable,Acceptable,Acceptable, Not Acceptable,

Axial cracking Excellent
but limited suitable but limited but limited but limited suitable but limited

Circumferential Acceptable, Not Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,Acceptable,

Excellent
cracking but limited suitable suitable suitable but limited but limited but limited

ID corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent

Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

OD corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable but limited but limited

Acceptable, Acceptable, Not Not Acceptable,Acceptable,

At tubesheet Excellent Excellent
but limited but limited suitable suitable but limited but limited

Sizing Capabilities According to Defect Type in Tubing

Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Not Not Not

ID pitting Good Excellent Excellent Good Excellent
suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not

OD pitting Excellent Excellent Excellent Good
suitable  suitable suitable  suitable

Not Not Not Not Not

Axial cracking Good Excellent Good
suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable

Circumferential Not Not Not Not Not Not

Excellent Good
cracking suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable
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cracking suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable
Defect/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC
Not Not Not
ID corrosion Good Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not

OD corrosion Excellent Excellent Excellent Excellent
suitable suitable suitable suitable

Not Not Not Not Not

At tubesheet Good Good Excellent
suitable suitable suitable suitable suitable

Suitability According to Tubing Material

Material/Tech ECT ECA IRIS RFT NFT NFA MFL PSEC

Tube Yes Yes Yes No No No No No

Non-
ferromagnetic Integral
nned Yes Yes Yes No No No No No
tube

Tube No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Low
ferromagnetic Integral
nned No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
tube

Tube No No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Integral
nned No No Limited Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ferromagnetic tube

Aluminum
nned No No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes
tube

Surface Applications
When it comes to surface applications, the performance of any given inspection technique depends
greatly on the speci c conditions — mostly the types of materials and defects, but also surface
conditions, cleanliness, etc. However, in most situations, the following are true:

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Liquid Magnetic ECT ECA

Liquid(PT)
penetrant Magnetic
particles (MT) ECT ECA
penetrant (PT) particles (MT)
Effective on No Yes Yes Yes
coatings/paints

Computerized record No No Partial Yes

keeping

3D/Advanced imaging No No No Yes

User dependence High High High Low

Speed Very low Very low Low Very high

Cleaning Yes Yes Application- Application-

speci c speci c

Post-inspection analysis No No No Yes

Chemicals/Consumables Yes Yes No No

Literature

Standard surface ECA probe catalog

Tubing inspection probe catalog

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