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INTRODUCTION

Thermal imaging is the non-contact detection and measurement oftemperature dierences and the assignment of colors based on temperature.Infrared thermography ill be presented as an inspection techni!ue to

gather and present information about the system at a speci"c time. Infraredthermography ill not be promoted as a remedial measure. #n infraredinspection of an electrical system or rotating e!uipment does not assureproper operation of such e!uipment. Other tests and proper maintenance arenecessary to assure their reliable performance.

N$C$%%#R& CONDITION% 'OR IN%($CTION#ssure that the e!uipment to be inspected is under ade!uate load) createsatisfactory loads hen necessary) and allo su*cient time for recently-energi+ed e!uipment to produce stable thermal patterns. ,easure electricloads hen re!uested by the infrared thermographer. $!uipment to be

inspected shall be energi+ed and under ade!uate load ideally this is normaloperating load. hene/er possible) similar components under similar loadshall be compared to each other. Components e0hibiting unusual thermalpatterns or operating temperatures shall be deemed as e0ceptions.

Commonly Inspected Systems

$lectrical12. Three (hase Distribution

%ystem3. 'use 4o0es

5. Cables 6 Connections7. Relays8%itches9. Insulators:. Capacitors;. %ubstations. Controllers2?. Transformers22. ,otor23. 4attery 4an=

,echanical12. ,otors3. (umps5. @eat $0changers7. 4earings9. Aear 4o0es:. Dri/e 4elts

4uilding ThermographyB $nergy #uditsB ,oisture DetectionB Roof moisture and lea=

detectionB Construction Details

and eri"cationB Concrete inspectionsB Refrigeration and cold

storage cooling losses

#ir ea=ageB The passage of air

through the buildingen/elope) Doors) all)

indo) Eoint etc)B $0terior all electrical

outletsB Recessed lightB #ttic penetrationB Ducts8/ents

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Improper air mo/ement signi"cantly reduces the thermal integrity and

performance of the en/elope and is therefore a maEor contributor to

energy consumption in a building as ell as poor air !uality.

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Reasons for Temperature hotspots in Electrical System

2. Unbalanced oad3. F5rdG@armonics current in neutral5. O/erloaded systems8e0cessi/e current

7. oose or corroded connections increased resistance in thecircuitFtypically one side of the components heat up

9. Insulation failure:. Component 'ailure;. iring ,ista=es

Reasons for Temperature hotspots in Mechanical /ElectromechanicalSystem

2. 4ad cooling H due to reduced air o3. (J problems li=e unbalance) o/erload of 9thharmonic

F/oltageG ill cause heat dissipation5. 4ad alignment7. Insulation (roblems ith motor indings9. 4earing (roblem 1ubrication) ear 6 Tear:. 'riction due to ear) misalignment or inade!uate lubrication

Advantages of Thermography

#llos us to stop "ghting 'ires and "0 problems before they result ine!uipment failure.

4ene"ts of detecting (roblems before 'ailure1 Increased safety

Impro/ed reliability

4etter assurance of repair

Reduced unscheduled outages

Commissioning of ne installations

Impro/ed (roduction rate and Juality

Reduced maintenance and Repair Costs.

'rom a return on in/estment perspecti/e) infrared inspection programs ha/e

pro/en that on a/erage for e/ery K2 spent on infrared electrical inspections)there is a K7 return on in/estment for materials and labor from "0ing theproblems before it fails...L

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