Which type of ultrasound is typically used to detect electrical faults?

The correct choice is airborne ultrasound, as it is particularly effective for detecting electrical faults. Airborne ultrasound technology works by capturing ultrasonic sound waves that are emitted from electrical and mechanical equipment during operation. These sound waves can indicate issues such as arcing, tracking, and corona discharge—common electrical faults that may not be audible to the human ear.

Airborne ultrasound is advantageous because it can be used in various environments, allowing for non-invasive monitoring of electrical systems without interrupting their operation. By utilizing sensitive microphones or detectors, practitioners can identify and analyze these ultrasonic emissions to diagnose problems early, thus preventing potential failures or safety hazards.

In contrast, subsonic ultrasound typically involves lower frequency sounds that are not useful for the high-frequency detections needed in electrical fault diagnostics. Groundborne ultrasound pertains to vibrations transmitted through solid media—not air. This makes it unsuitable for detecting electric faults. Fluidborne ultrasound is used in applications involving liquid environments and primarily focuses on the detection of leaks or faults in liquids, again making it less applicable for electrical fault detection.