Technology Under Rapid Development - Software 1993-2002

GUIDE NOTES
for
Inspection Personnel
Volume 1 of 12
Section 2 of 7

ECI & ACFM

inspection@diversworldwide.com

Extract from ‘A Handbook for Underwater Inspectors - HMSO

 Technology Under Rapid Development - Software 1993-2002
EDDY CURRENT

Eddy current testing uses a magnetic field produced by a current

carrying conductor. The principle is based upon the fact that a coil
carrying an alternating current produces an alternating magnetic field.
If the coil is placed in close proximity to a conductive metal surface,
the changes in magnetic field will produce eddy currents in the surface
of the metal, which in turn produce a magnetic field of their own. The
technique is more properly referred to as Electro-Magnetic Detection
(EMD) of surface breaking defects.

The interaction I these magnetic fields produce measurable changes in

the impedance of the coil. These impedance changes remain constant
unless changes in metallic composition or a discontinuity are
encountered. When this occurs, it is manifested as a voltage change
outside the expected range for the material under test.

This technique is limited to the detection of defects at or near the

surface, such as cracks, pits or voids. However, one clear advantage is
that it may be applied to non-ferromagnetic materials.

There are several drawbacks to the use of eddy current testing, which
can be a summarised as follows:

a Some cleaning and surface preparation is normally required - The

probe is extremely sensitive to changes in stand off

b distance, surface condition, grain size, and irregular changes.

C It is difficult to apply the technique to complicated geometrical

configurations (is. node welds).

d Operators require training, for both application and interpretation

of results.

Presently, this technique is not commonly used for underwater

structural Inspection.

Extract from ‘A Handbook for Underwater Inspectors - HMSO

Technology Under Rapid Development - Software 1993-2002

Extract from ‘A Handbook for Underwater Inspectors - HMSO