Page 188 - Intro Predictive Maintenance

Thermography 179

• Batteries. What is the weight and size of the batteries? How long will
they last? Will you need additional batteries? How long do they take to
charge?
• Interchangeable Lenses. Do the ones available fit your application? What
are their costs?
• Monitor, Eyepiece, or Both. Will you need to show a live image to others
while performing an inspection?
• Analog or Digital. How will you process the images? Does the imager have
analog, digital, or both capabilities?
• Software. Can the software package produce quality reports and store and
retrieve images? Do you require colonization and temperature editing?

8.6 INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY SAFETY
Equipment included in an infrared thermography inspection is almost always ener-
gized. Therefore, a lot of attention must be given to safety. The following are basic
rules for safety while performing an infrared inspection:

• Plant safety rules must be followed at all times.
• Notify area personnel before entering the area for scanning.
• A qualified electrician from the area should be assigned to open and close
all panels.
• Where safe and possible, all equipment to be scanned will be online and
under normal load with a clear line of sight to the item.
• Equipment whose covers are interlocked without an interlock defect mech-
anism should be shut down when allowable. If safe, their control covers
should be opened and equipment restarted.

8.7 INFRARED SCANNING PROCEDURES
The purpose of an infrared inspection is to identify and document problems in an elec-
trical or mechanical system. The information provided by an inspection is presented
in an easily and understandable form. A high percentage of problems occur in termi-
nation and connections, especially in copper-to-aluminum connections. A splice or a
lug connector should not look warmer than its conductors if it has been sized prop-
erly. All problem connections should be dismantled, cleaned, reassembled, or replaced
as necessary.

8.8 TYPES OF INFRARED PROBLEMS
There are three basic types of thermal problems:

• Mechanical looseness
• Load problems
• Component failure