PICA’s Bracelet Probe; A New Frontier in Non-Destructive Testing

If your pipelines were to be inspected today, what would the inspection reveal? Pipelines fail due to corrosion, erosion, cracking and third party damage, all of which are invisible unless the pipes are uncovered and non-destructive testing (NDT) is performed on them. One very effective form of NDT that is performed from outside the pipe is electromagnetic (EM) testing. PICA’s EM technology is embodied in its Bare Pipe Bracelet Probe (BP2). The BP is particularly effective in detecting ID corrosion on force mains caused by H2S damage.

Continue reading to find out how the BP from PICA can help avoid costly pipe failures and sink holes.

Detect Unseen Hazards

PICA Corps’ new Bracelet Probe technology is our latest innovative solution in the field of non-destructive testing. The Bracelet Probe is a flexible design, created for the non-destructive inspection of bare, coated, or wrapped pipes. to detect internal or external corrosion damage cause by H2S. Our Bracelet Probe can quickly adapt to any size of ductile iron, cast iron, or steel pipe starting at 6″ in diameter. It contains sixteen high-resolution sensors that cover a 10″ wide scan path along the outside of the pipe to detect unseen hazards that could cause leaks, pollution, and property damage. 


By using a low-frequency electromagnetic field, the Bracelet Probe’s sensors can penetrate through pipe walls. The sensors then detect variations in the thickness of the pipe as a result of changes in the electromagnetic field. Afterwards, those field variations are measured by PICA’s Ferroscope instrument and recorded for immediate and instant analysis.

The BP has a version that can measure through pipe insulation, up to 5″ thick. The “CUI Bracelet” can detect external corrosion caused by moisture being trapped in the insulation and held against the warm pipe: an ideal corrosion initiator. Both internal corrosion on bare or coated pipe, and CUI are unseen hazards that are the #1 and #2 causes of pipe failures in North America.

Rapid Results

One of the most significant advantages of the Bracelet Probe is that it is safe to use and provides results quickly. Unlike competing inspection systems, the Bracelet Probe allows you to save screen snapshots of 3D colour maps, strip charts and voltage planes, which enables you to have greater accessibility in understanding the extent of the damage on your pipes. By using the Bracelet Probe, changes in pipeline wall thickness can easily be understood while individual pits, graphitization, and erosion are immediately visible through the “electromagnetic eyes”. Some other features of the Bracelet Probe from PICA are as follows:

  • Ability to scan up to 12 ft./minute
  • Capable of inspecting horizontal and vertical pipes
  • Ability to inspect various types of piping, including plant piping, pipelines under bridges, and bare pipes in excavations
  • Capable of scanning the entire pipe in only a few quadrant scans
  • And more!

Inspection Services from PICA

Since the early 1990s, PICA Corp has proudly established itself as an industry leader in non-destructive pipeline inspections. For nearly 30 years, our team has focused on delivering exceptional results using innovative technology and methods. Because of this, our clients across North America have been able to conduct safe and reliable pipeline inspections, so they are aware of the conditions of their pipes before disaster strikes. Our team is proud to offer a range of pipeline inspection services with our award-winning tools specializing in electromagnetic technology. Ensuring you know the exact condition of your pipelines is critical for maintaining optimal operating performance. Let PICA help you inspect your pipelines with our Bracelet Probe and other innovative non-destructive inspection tools.
Ready to learn more about our Bracelet Probe and inspection services? Contact PICA today!