MBN Maint Sol Infrared

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Viewing Modes Expand

Admit it: Who did not grow up wanting to bea superhero with X-ray vision that sees throughwalls? Well, as infrared, thermal-imaging technologyevolves, managers are getting closer to making thisdream a reality.

Infrared cameras give front-line technicians ininstitutional and commercial buildings the power tosee and inspect electrical systems — among manyother components and systems — much more closelyand effectively. The ability to detect and view excessheat where it should not be allows technicians tobecome superheroes of facilities by giving themthe power to protect electrical equipment from theoperational threats lurking in every corner.

New-generation Equipment

Unlike the fragile, bulky, and expensive imagers ofthe past, new-generation equipment is more compactand durable. With the price of many imagers comingdown — many of today’s units fall in the $4,000-$8,000 range — it is becoming much more viable

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Infrared Thermal Imaging for Your

Electrical Systems

By Michael Newbury

(Published in Maintenance Solutions Magazine March 2010)

for managers to buy their own imaging equipment,instead of having to contract out scanning tasks.That said, managers at times might need to bringin outside experts to interpret certain images anddetermine appropriate action.

Of the latest advances in infrared thermal imagery,

one manufacturer has developed technology thatintegrates infrared and visual — or visible light—images in full screen or picture-in-picture views.The technology helps users recognize image detailsand better identify problem areas by quickly scrollingthrough the different viewing modes. They include:

full infrared — high-resolution, standard•infrared images

full visible light — a visible-light image similar•to that of a digital camera

picture-in-picture — an infrared-image portal• surrounded by a visible-light frame for reference

automatic blending — combines infrared and•visible-light images blended at user-adjustablelevels for maximum image clarity

infrared/visible alarm — displays only the•portions of the image that fall above, below, orbetweenauser-speciedtemperaturerangeasinfrared, leaving the remainder of the image asfull, visible light.

Thermal Imagers Play Role inPreventive Maintenance Programs

Increasingly, technicians are incorporating thermal-imaging cameras into preventive and predictivemaintenance programs to help detect excess heatin electrical components, such as motors. This non-invasive technique can detect loose connections,corroded elements, short circuits, overloaded circuits,and other dangerous faults.

A huge advantage to this application of thermal-

Thermal imagers are compact and handheld with numerous

capabilities for cost effective and efcient electrical component

testing. Printed with permission. Fluke Corporation



imaging technology is technicians can performtesting while the system is under a full load with noimpact on the facility or its operations. In the past,technicians had to schedule power-system shutdownsto physically check equipment connections fordamage or wear.

Thermal-imaging technology now allows them toconduct inspections, such as busway-joint analysis,

at a safe distance from the equipment. They also cananalyzethegathereddatainafacility’sofceorata remote location, away from potentially dangeroussituations. Since nearly every electrical componentheats up before it fails, infrared inspection as adiagnostic method can provide a cost-effective meansof identifying potential problems in electrical systemsbefore damage occurs and safety hazards arise.

Iftechniciansndpotentialproblemsearlyenough, they can take steps to resolve the problemsduring a scheduled outage, eliminating unplanned

productivity downtime.

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Safe Infrared Scanning Starts withPersonal Protective Equipment

Front-line technicians can safely scan electricalequipment with a thermal imager in two ways:by leaving the panel closed and scanning througha specialized infrared window or by opening theelectrical panel while wearing all of the requiredpersonal protective equipment (PPE).

Dependingonthearc-ashratingoftheequipment,PPE could include but is not limited to protectiveclothing,gloves,andafaceshield.Mostarc-ashevents happen because of a change in state of theequipment, such as opening a piece of equipment toscan it.

Technician conducting a thermal inspection using an IR Window.

Printed with permission. Fluke Corporation

By installing infrared windows, technicians can scanelectrical equipment more frequently and safely, aswell as without being forced to change the state of theequipment.

Whichever way managers choose, the maintenancestaff must understand and adhere to requirements ofNational Fire Protection Association 70E, ElectricalSafety in the Workplace.

Temperature Differentials Tell the Story

Thermalimagersdisplayacolormapthatidentiestemperature differentials of equipment invisible to thenaked eye. The higher that temperature differential,the more likely it is a potential failure is looming.A slight temperature elevation either indicates anequipment-overload condition or the start of a looseconnection. Technicians should review both of theseconditions and correct them as soon as possible.

A high temperature differential or bright-red areason the image indicate a more urgent condition. Thissituation most likely indicates an advanced problemtechnicians must review and correct immediately toprevent a catastrophic failure that could leave thefacility without power or, worse, cause potential harmtopeopleorpropertythroughanexplosionorre.

Infrared imagers might not allow managers ortechnicians to see through walls, but they can helpthem become quiet heroes in their facilities. Armedwith this technology, they are poised and ready tosave time and money, increase productivity andprotect the lives of occupants by identifying potentialproblems in electrical systems early and makingrepairs before catastrophic events occur.

Beyond Electrical Systems

All objects emit infrared radiation, and theamount of radiation an object emits increases as itstemperature rises. Thermographic cameras detectradiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic

spectrum, causing warm objects to stand out clearlyagainst cooler backgrounds on the camera display.

More maintenance and engineering departmentsare using thermal imagers to diagnose small problemsin electrical equipment before the problems grow intoexpensive emergencies. But the applications for theseimagers go beyond electrical systems:

Maintenance and engineering technicians•are using the technology to scan the exteriorsof commercial buildings for heat leaks. The



Michael Newbury— is a principal atSparling, an electrical engineeringand technology consulting rmwith ofces in Seattle, Portland andSan Diego. He can be reached at

[email protected].

Utility worker scans pole top transformers efciently and from a

safe distance. Printed with permission. Fluke Corporation

imagers allow them to see places heat isescaping through the shell, and they helpmanagers build the case for spending money oninsulation upgrades.

Many international airports installed thermal-•imagingcamerasduringtherecentH1N1uoutbreak to help identify travelers with elevatedbodytemperaturesasarst-leveldefense

against the virus.Fireghtersusetheunitstoseethroughsmoke•and detect people, as well as to locate the base ofare.

Law-enforcementofcialsusethemtotrack•downsuspectsandndmissingpersons.

Medical applications are expanding, since•inammationandtheresultingincreasedtemperatures accompany many diseases in thehuman body.

Infrared INSIGHTS: Benets Abound

Onemajorbenetofscanningelectricalsystemsusing infrared-imaging technology is the facility canremain energized and operational throughout theprocess.

Anotherbenetismanysituationsexistwheretechnicians can scan electrical components, suchas utility power poles, from a safe distance withno contact required and without the risk posed byexposing staff to unnecessary safety hazards.

If a thermal scan provides evidence of a looseconnection or other irregularities, technicians can setup a scheduled procedure for shutting off power andrepairing equipment at a designated time that doesnot disrupt facility operations.

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MBN Maint Sol Infrared