Thermal Imaging
Thermal Imaging
Thermographic surveys can be used as part of a predictive maintenance programme enabling problems to be identified and repaired before they either; breakdown, causing business interruptions or a loss of production, or become serious enough to represent a safety risk, such as overheating electrical equipment, which could result in a fire.
Thermal imaging is an extremely useful tool for electrical fault finding. It requires no contact being made with the components which means that the components can be checked in a live state with little danger to the user, there is no effect on the components or interruption in any processes the electrical system may be controlling.
Electrical faults can lead to breakdowns and the potential for fire hazards. In both cases the losses due to downtime and repair costs can become costly.
Electrical equipment can suffer from numerous faults which will show an increase in temperature.
For example;
- Corroded or loose connections
- Imbalanced Loads
- Using underrated equipment or overloading equipment
- Insulation Damage
- Incorrect voltage
- Blocked or poorly ventilated equipment
- Deterioration due to age
- Exceeding the recommended temperature rating
To carry out a survey circuits should be operated at full working load to ensure the highest operating temperature is measured and the full extent of any faults can be seen.
The thermographer will use his knowledge of the components in question and compare them to similar components operating under the same conditions to determine the extent of any faults.
A typical survey of electrical equipment might include:
- Motors and motor control panels
- Control equipment
- Cable runs
- Transformers
- Circuit operating devices
- Switches, fuses and circuit breakers
- Distribution boards