LumaSense Completes Acquisition of Opsens Inc.'s Fiber Optic Technology Used to Improve Transformer Reliability and Management of Grid Assets

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Aug. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- LumaSense Technologies, a global provider of temperature and gas sensing solutions, announced it has acquired fiber optic sensing technology from Canada-based Opsens Inc. (TSX-V: OPS) used to help energy companies identify transformer hot spots and perform critical high-voltage equipment temperature monitoring. The deal for Opsens' PowerSens system gives LumaSense a well-rounded fiber optics portfolio designed to help utilities improve power grid reliability involving generation, transmission and distribution assets.

"As global energy demand increases, transformer and electrical asset reliability is a growing priority," said Vivek Joshi, LumaSense Technologies' chief executive officer. "Transformer makers and utilities are looking for a wide range of options for improving system reliability across all sizes of transformers, distribution units included. This type of technology truly enables the Smart Grid and allows LumaSense to have a wide range of products to fit all needs and budgets."

The PowerSens system uses gallium arsenide (GaAs) sensors to measure temperature, and will round out LumaSense's overall fiber optic measurement portfolio used by utilities across the globe. LumaSense's portfolio of fiber optics offerings includes the ThermAsset2 and LumaSmart systems based on Fluoroptic phosphor technology. Fluoroptic technology provides the most reliable method for temperature measurement in critical, large transformers, while GaAs is a cost-effective alternative for smaller projects that don't require as high a level of proven durability.

"PowerSens customers will enjoy several benefits from this acquisition. They will now have access to LumaSense's larger portfolio of temperature-measurement technology, as well as its global support network of experienced application engineers," said Pierre Carrier, President and CEO of Opsens. "For Opsens, this gives us the perfect opportunity to focus on serving the needs of our customers in our main fields with our fiber optic technology."

In the electrical industry, LumaSense's fiber optic temperature (FOT) measurement technology is considered the industry standard for FOT measurement of transformer winding hot spots. FOT uses rugged probes to directly measure winding temperatures for the most-accurate temperature readings, as opposed to conventional methods that have errors from inferring hot spots by trying to simulate or calculate the temperature versus directly measuring it.

About LumaSense Technologies™

LumaSense Technologies is a global leader in providing temperature and gas sensing solutions to industrial, energy, medical and clean technology markets. We design and manufacture sensors for end-user and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) applications. LumaSense Technologies has proven expertise in developing state of the art infrared and fiber optic temperature sensors, radiometric thermal imagers, and gas analyzers. A common theme in our sensors is the use of infrared (IR) light to provide robust, accurate sensors for demanding environments, applications and customers. Worldwide offices located in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

SOURCE LumaSense Technologies