Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Eddy Current Testing
A versatile NDT solution
Embrace the transformative power of Eddy Current Testing (ECT) and safeguard the integrity of your critical assets and equipment with BES Group’s unparalleled expertise. This versatile and powerful Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) method unveils the hidden strengths and potential weaknesses of your materials, ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of your operations across diverse industries.
Eddy Current Testing utilises electromagnetic induction to detect and identify surface and subsurface flaws within conductive materials.
This process is conducted with a probe coil that applies an alternating current across the surface of the material, which then triggers invisible eddy currents to determine integrity of the material tested.
When an issue with structural integrity is identified, such as a crack or void – the eddy current flow is disrupted. The probe coil translates this into a voltage signal, which helps to clearly identify any defects. The size and shape of this signal provides a valuable insight into the nature and location of the issue.
Suitability for Eddy Current Testing:
- Surface and near-surface detection
- Material and coating thickness measurements
- Conductivity measurements for material identification
- Monitoring and determination of case depth
Schedule a consultation to discuss your testing requirements!
Get in touch today! Get in touch today! Get in touch today!
A versatile NDT Solution for Critical Industries
Eddy Current Testing's adaptability extends far beyond its ability to identify surface flaws.
It seamlessly delves into the depths of materials, exposing subsurface imperfections with unwavering precision. This unique capability makes Eddy Current Testing a preferred choice for inspecting materials that are challenging to access, such as those concealed within pipes or vessels.
The versatility of ECT resonates across industries that demand unwavering precision and unwavering safety. Aerospace, automotive, electrical, power generation, manufacturing, and oil and gas sectors all rely on ECT to safeguard their critical assets.
At BES Group, we embody the essence of NDT expertise, with a team of industry-experienced technicians who are meticulously trained and equipped with the latest qualifications. Our state-of-the-art NDT laboratory ensures that our services are delivered with unwavering efficiency and speed, reaching our customers across the UK with the utmost dedication.
Tube & Heat Exchanger Inspections: advanced techniques for enhanced integrity and safety
We provide detailed tube and heat exchanger inspections using advanced techniques to assess integrity and reliability. Our expertise ensures safe and functional tube bundles.
Eddy Current Testing is the most efficient method for assessing the condition of non-ferrous tubing in chillers, condensers, feed water heaters, and evaporators. With data collection speeds twice as fast as other inspection methods, our team can perform evaluations swiftly and efficiently. Clients receive immediate results or can opt for data to be reviewed at a remote location. We also offer trending analysis as an additional option, providing accurate results with minimal need for follow-up scrutiny.
We also offer the following NDT methods:
- IRIS Ultrasound: Ideal for inspecting various materials like ferrous, non-ferrous, and non-metallic tubing. It detects and sizes wall loss from corrosion, erosion, wear, cracks, and more. The MS5800 IRIS technology is commonly used to confirm remote field testing, magnetic flux leakage, and eddy current inspections.
- Remote Field Tube Inspection: For ferrous tubing where traditional Eddy Current methods are limited, Remote Field Inspection offers a superior solution. This technique is particularly effective for boiler feed water tubes and other ferrous tubing. Remote Field Inspection is faster than previous methods, enabling technicians to double their inspection capacity while achieving superior results.
Saturated Low Frequency Eddy Current Testing
At BES Group, we offer Saturated Low Frequency Eddy Current (SLOFEC™) as an alternative to Magnetic Flux Leakage (MFL). Using magnetic saturation, SLOFEC™ detects surface or near-surface defects, such as cracks, corrosion, and other discontinuities.
Unlike traditional eddy current testing, which operates at higher frequencies and is more suitable for non-ferromagnetic materials, Saturated Low Frequency Eddy Current (SLOFEC™) employs lower frequencies and a magnetic saturation process to penetrate the strong magnetic fields inherent in ferromagnetic materials. It’s effective for complex components in industries like aerospace and automotive, ensuring material integrity and component reliability.
Our SLOFEC™ method can test small, untested zones near tank walls and plate welds, allowing testing under installations and heating pipes with as little as 130 mm of space, and can handle plate thicknesses up to 25 mm.
Our detailed SLOFEC™ report includes a coloured tank floor map, single plate reports, a feature list, and a repair plate map, all detailing wall thickness reductions in a 2D-scan image where defect depth is indicated by colour.
The main advantage of SLOFEC™ is its ability to inspect thick and complex-shaped ferromagnetic components where traditional eddy current methods might fail. Other advantages include:
- Sensitive and safe defect detection
- Clear differentiation between signals from topside and underside defects
- Effective separation of defect signals from noise
Key benefits of Eddy Current Testing
Versatile
ECT can be used to inspect a wide variety of conductive materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.
Non-hazardous
ECT is safer than other testing methods, as it doesn’t use radiation or hazardous chemicals, making it ideal for inspecting components that are in use or under pressure.
Fast and efficient
ECT can be used to inspect large areas quickly, and has a quick and efficient set up time.
Versatile
ECT can be used to inspect a wide variety of conductive materials, including metals, plastics, and composites.
Non-hazardous
ECT is safer than other testing methods, as it doesn’t use radiation or hazardous chemicals, making it ideal for inspecting components that are in use or under pressure.
Fast and efficient
ECT can be used to inspect large areas quickly, and has a quick and efficient set up time.
Hear what our customers have to say
We care about the journey we take our customers on, but it’s not our word you should be taking, see what our customers think of the service we provided!
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We have been with BES for the past 5 years and don’t plan on switching providers. They are very flexible with their services and are able to bring the best inspectors who can deal with on the ground challenges and build real relationships with clients.
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Customer
Global Technical Services Manager
“
BES is a really disruptive force in the market, they are able to provide a variety of necessary services to their customers and none of the other big players are able to provide that breadth of services.
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Industry competitor
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The BES inspectors are way more technically competent and diligent compared to other providers. I previously used Allianz, and BES definitely stands out due to their strong technical competence and strong back office support.
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Customer
Project Operations Manager
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The industry requires competence to be demonstrated, typically through UKAS accreditation, which is a prerequisite for many major clients. BES is type A accredited, which is preferred, they can provide highly objective opinions.
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Customer
Senior Project Manager
FAQs
What types of materials can be tested with ECT?
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ECT can be used to inspect a wide variety of materials including metals, plastics, and composites. It is particularly well-suited for inspecting materials that are difficult to access, such as those that are inside pipes or vessels.
It is often used for inspecting:
• Pipes and tubes
• Aircraft fuselage and wings
• Heat exchangers
• Welds
• Crack detection
• Material thickness measurement
• Corrosion detection
• Coating thickness measurement
• Heat treatment evaluation
Why choose us
Qualified service
Our team are qualified to PCN Level 3 and ASNT NDT, and adhere to the BS EN ISO 9712 standard.
Trusted reliability
BES Group is a trusted and reliable provider of NDT services. We're proud to have a proven track record of providing high-quality services that meet the needs of our customers.
NDT expertise
BES Group has a team of experienced and qualified NDT inspectors who can use our complete suite of NDT techniques to inspect a wide variety of equipment and assets.
Our Sectors
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Visual Inspection
Barcol Hardness Testing
MFL Tank Floor Scanning
Welding Inspection and Portable Arc Monitoring System (PAMS)
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