Every year electrical fires cause significant financial losses to industry, directly affecting many companies ability to remain in business. Many of these incidents could have been identified before they caused a problem by undertaking infrared thermographic inspections of their electrical installations on a regular basis to reinforce their planned preventative maintenance programs.
Electrical circuits and components will breakdown for a variety of reasons. Whether it is through overloading, fatigue, defective components, contamination or just loose connections they will always have a rise in temperature or 'hot spot' prior to breakdown. Infrared cameras allow thermographers to see these thermal imbalances prior to the breakdown of the subject being surveyed.
All objects give off energy (heat) and these energy levels have a direct relationship to the amount of infra-red waves being generated. With the aid of an infrared camera that heat can be detected and measured.
By detecting and measuring temperature differences from one surface of an object to another, skilled technicians are able to diagnose possible problems and provide meaningful recommendations. Areas scanned include, but are not limited to:
Infrared surveys of electro-mechanical systems are usually conducted as part of a regular preventative maintenance program. The results of these surveys can help plan maintenance schedules, minimize shut down time and have long term significant cost savings.
Several independent studies have been made addressing the cost-effectiveness of infrared thermography. These compare the cost of testing (and the savings realized by conducting proper repairs based on the findings) versus the cost of damage if the repairs are not made and the equipment breaks down. When the studies looked at the direct damage (the cost of the damage to the equipment), on average the ratio was for every $/€/£ spent, four $/€/£ were saved. When factors such as spoilage, loss of production and extra expense were included, the ratio increased to 1:20.
Infrared thermography is quickly developing into one of the preferred methods for fault detection. Its advantages include:
For further information, please contact your RMC Engineer