Infrared Thermography
Thermography Study for Maintenance,
Safety & Energy Efficiency
September 04,2010
CII, Chennai
Sraj- Fluke India IG Division
CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 1
What is Thermography?
• The use of electronic “cameras”
to detect radiant energy or heat
• Produces a visual image called a
thermogram (or heat picture)
• Thermography is a powerful tool
for machine and building
maintenance
Sraj – Fluke India- IG Division
CII, Chennai
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Page 1
Heat & Energy
• As an object warms up, it
radiates more energy, as
photons, based on:
– Temperature
– Emissivity
• Infrared radiation is
electromagnetic radiation,
similar to light and radio
waves
• Wavelengths between 215 microns are called
thermal infrared radiation
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CII, Chennai
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Heat Transfer
• Heat is transferred
from warmer areas to
cooler areas by:
– Conduction (in solids)
– Convection (in fluids)
– Radiation (mainly from
surfaces)
• Heat flow can be
either:
– Transient
– Steady-state
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CII, Chennai
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Page 2
Primary Applications
• Maintenance of machinery | Electrical
Maintenance
• Building diagnostics
• Fire fighting
• Law enforcement and security
• Environmental
• Human and animal medicine
• Many others….
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CII, Chennai
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IR Camera
• Lens
• Detector
• Processing
electronics
• Controls
• Image display
• Image storage
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 6
Page 3
Thermography in Maintenance
- Preventive maintenance best practices
Preventive Maintenance: Often called “calendarbased maintenance”. Repairs or maintenance
actions are taken on machinery on a scheduled
basis, regardless of actual condition of equipment.
Pros
Cons
50% of electrical failures can be
prevented with regular maintenance and
inspection
Fault free machines are serviced
unnecessarily
Increased equipment life
More labor intensive than reactive
Reduced equipment failure
More predictable staffing schedule
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 7
Thermography in Maintenance
- Mortality of Machinery
•
•
•
Detect early defects
Prolong life time of equipment
Prevent costly aging failures
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 8
Page 4
Thermography in Maintenance
- Electrical
Hot phase
Motor Control Center
Substation
Lighting Circuit
Fuse disconnect
Buss
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 9
Thermography in Maintenance
- Electromechanical & Mechanical
Electric motor
Hydraulic pumps
Compressors - normal
Coupling
Sraj – Fluke India- IG Division
CII, Chennai
Misaligned belt
Roller bearings
Company Confidential 10
Page 5
Thermography in SafetyFast, Safe & Accurate Measurements
for objects that
are:
• moving or very
hot
• difficult to reach
• impossible to
shut-off
• dangerous to
contact
• Contaminated/alt
ered through
contact
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 11
Safety
NEPA – 70E
Hazard/Risk Category 2: 240 – 600V electrical environments
•
•
•
•
•
•
FR long sleeved shirt with sleeves rolled down and front fully buttoned up
FR work pants (not denims) or coveralls over natural fiber
600 V rated leather over rubber gloves
Leather work boots
Switching hood containing hearing protection
No jewelry or watch
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 12
Page 6
Thermography
is Safe use
• Most defects cause increase in temperature
• Thermal imaging provides a fast and clear picture of this
temperature increase
• Thermal images can be taken while production is running
without any contact à safe!
• Anybody can take a picture
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 13
Thermography in Safety
Electrical
Get a full thermal picture of
objects to better pinpoint
where heat waste is
occurring.
No Contacts & safe to conduct
the inspection
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 14
Page 7
Thermography in Energy Efficiency
Building
• Hot or cold air infiltration
• Improper air flow
• Insulation Voids
• Poor construction, missing or
inadequate insulation, broken
window seals, moisture intrusion
and air leakage
• Here are images showing lack of
proper insulation
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 15
Thermography in Energy Efficiency
It’s not just about energy loss!
s!
e
u to
• Excessive leakage can also cause condensation
iss
form within and on walls which can create
ce many
an
problems:
n
e
int
– Permanently damage insulation
a
m
– Seriously degrade materials nd
a
– Rot wood
ty
e
f
a
– Corrode metals
ss
u
– Stain brick, concrete
io or surfaces
er will cause concrete to spall, bricks to separate,
s
– Extreme cases
y
mortar etor crumble and sections of wall to fall
v
e structural steal, re-bar and metal hangers and bolts
– Corrode
av
ll h
A
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 16
Page 8
Thermography in Energy Efficiency
Evaluating System Efficiency – to improve Energy Efficiency
Conduct a thermal inspection of all
significant electrical panels,
switchgear, and transformers
Look for hot spots that could
indicate high resistance or
malfunctioning connectors
These:
• Waste energy
• Indicate potentially larger
inefficiencies that can be
corrected with maintenance
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 17
Thermography in Energy Efficiency
Conduct the Energy Audit
Savings
Electric Utility,
IT/Computers
$$$
Biggest Opportunities
$$
Medium Opportunities
$
Smaller long-term
Opportunities
$$
HVAC,
Motors & Drives
$
$$$
$$$
Lighting,
Compressed Air,
Steam Systems
$
$
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 18
Page 9
Fluke’s Solution on Energy
A Complete Kit
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 19
Wherever you go, you’ll find Fluke
test tools at work
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CII, Chennai
Company Confidential 20
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