Core Technologies

Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA) is a technology that performs frequency analysis of current and voltage signals from motors and generators to diagnose the internal condition of rotating machinery — without stopping operations, directly from the control panel. Originally developed in the 1980s from nuclear plant valve diagnostic research at Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States, the technology was subsequently licensed to Framatome (Nuclear Parts Center). Framatome inherited this foundational work and developed it into a platform for industrial applications. In the 2000s, MotorDoc LLC further established its application to wind turbines.

How It Works

Current and voltage signals are acquired from motors, generators, pumps, and all other electrically driven machinery at the control panel. The acquired signals are analyzed by dedicated software using frequency analysis, enabling quantitative evaluation of the internal condition of rotating machinery. Diagnostics are completed in front of the control panel without stopping operations. No major equipment modifications are required. Early signs of anomalies that are difficult to detect through conventional inspection can be captured rapidly and safely from subtle changes in electrical signals.

Product Lineup

Product names on this site are registered trademarks or trademarks of Framatome Inc. and MotorDoc LLC.

EMPATH™

“Walkaround” Monitoring System

EMPATH consists of current and voltage probes, a proprietary 6-channel data acquisition and signal conditioning box, and data analysis software. It collects both voltage and current data, with the entire data acquisition process taking less than a minute.

EMPATH CMS™

Continuous Monitoring Model

EMPATH CMS is the continuous monitoring system for EMPATH. It routinely detects potential equipment issues, enabling timely corrective action. Both single-unit and 32-unit options are available.

E-Plug™

Permanent Install

E-Plug is a module designed for permanent installation in power control panels. It enables the safe and rapid acquisition of current and voltage data without the need to open the control panel door.

EMPOWER™

High-Precision Entry Model

Despite its highly compact design, EMPOWER records and analyzes motor current waveforms, identifying not only electrical faults but also mechanical issues with high precision. It is the ideal entry-level model for customers considering the implementation of ESA.

Gearboxes, generators, and bearings of wind turbines are diagnosed from the control panel at the tower base. Through integrated analysis with wind condition and SCADA data, comprehensive operational assessment including blades is also supported. Tower-base diagnostics serve as the standard approach, significantly reducing the need for nacelle climbs. Each turbine diagnostic, including preparation and multiple data acquisitions, is completed within one hour. By capturing harmonic currents caused by inverters via ESA, early detection of main bearing damage due to electrical erosion is also effective. Early detection of generator neutral ring (slip ring) damage is also supported.

Wind turbine diagnostics using Electrical Signature Analysis (ESA)

Vibration analysis is a fundamental technology for evaluating the structural condition of machinery. It identifies mechanical anomalies such as installation defects, imbalance, misalignment, resonance, and looseness. Combining ESA with vibration analysis enables integrated diagnostics that simultaneously evaluate both the electrical internal condition and the mechanical structural condition, achieving greater diagnostic accuracy and coverage than either method alone.

Tribology is the science of lubrication, friction, and wear. Through analysis of lubricants and grease, the wear condition, contamination, and degradation of bearings and gearboxes are evaluated. Combined with ESA and vibration analysis, it enables comprehensive evaluation of the electrical, mechanical, and lubrication condition of machinery.

Motion Amplification technology uses high-resolution cameras and image processing algorithms to visualize microscopic structural vibrations invisible to the naked eye. It is a powerful method that visually complements vibration analysis for identifying resonance frequencies, detecting structural looseness, visualizing imbalance, and clarifying vibration transmission paths. TRIPOD Corporation provides diagnostic services utilizing this technology through collaboration with partner companies.

TRIPOD Corporation offers not only equipment diagnostic services but also sales of diagnostic instruments and paid training services for those pursuing ESA expertise. We support equipment health management, operational efficiency improvement, and rapid risk reduction.

We actively engage in academic and applied research on ESA and machinery condition monitoring technologies.

• ESA application research for generators and wind turbines
• Development of diagnostic methods for low-speed and multi-pole machines

We promote joint research, academic publication, and technology dissemination through industry-academia collaboration.