Thermography has been used with great success for a number of years to inspect building fenestration, both during design and production as well as after installation. Typically double-glazed windows exhibit a well-understood pattern of increased heat loss around the perimeter, due mainly to thermal bridging or “edge-effect” losses. This paper presents the findings of an investigation about a very different—and unusual—thermal pattern discovered on windows in the home of one of the authors.

There are thousands of machines that move around in different manners that could be considered “mobile.” A few examples are trucks (both light and heavy), dozers, front-end loaders, forklifts, cranes, excavators, locomotives, boats, ships, mobile welders, pumps, generators and even cars. This paper covers a brief overview of how infrared can be applied to inspecting heavy/mobile equipment along with safety considerations and the conditions needed.

The benefits of utilizing Infrared Thermography as a predictive maintenance (PdM) tool for electrical applications are well known. Substation equipment, service main switchgear and MCC’s are commonly inspected with frequencies as high as monthly in some instances. Yet for every large distribution apparatus scanned with regularity, any number of 208Y/120 panels, control panels and other “small” devices are overlooked. This paper will explore the benefit of adding previously uninspected “small” electrical system components to routes that have previously been occupied by switchgear and MCC’s and puts forth the position that the amperage rating of a device or enclosure no longer correlates to criticality.

Several existing standards for inspecting buildings with thermography have never been widely used in the home inspection market. In the past several years, as literally thousands of people took up IR building inspections, it quickly became apparent that an updated standard was in order for this growing industry. The task that RESNET took on to establish this new IR building standard was a tall order. The document—still in the final stages of tweaking by the technical and administrative committees of RESNET— may not fit all the needs of the entire building industry, but will prove useful, especially in the residential market.

The structures we live and work in are susceptible to quality and performance problems during construction and maintenance that can impact performance and may, in some cases, render them dangerous. Infrared thermography can provide remarkable, nondestructive information about construction details and building performance. This paper discusses the numerous applications for the technology currently being used to inspect building envelopes. These include validation of structural details, verification of energy performance (conduction and air leakage), location of moisture intrusion, and the identification of structural and system degradation of roofs and facades.

Assume your company has seen the value and decided to invest in MCA as part of their predictive maintenance program. They have selected you to introduce this new technology into its process. This paper will address how one can effectively establish MCA as an integral part of their reliability maintenance program.

Thermography is an essential tool for anyone involved with home weatherization. This paper covers how thermal imaging is utilized in home weatherization and how it can benefit auditors and crews.

When inspecting low emissivity surfaces thermographers are taught to try to ‘eliminate the reflections’. While removing the obvious source of reflection is the proper first step, many thermographers then believe that this solves the emissivity problem. This paper will discuss why we need to consider reflectance and emittance as separate issues and deal with them accordingly.

While vibration analysis and infrared thermography have been widely used for years as part of predictive maintenance programs, Motor Circuit Analysis (MCA) is a relative new-comer to condition monitoring. In reality though, the tests utilized by modern MCA systems have been around for years. Learn more about this technology in the following white paper.

In order to conduct high-quality diagnostic work, thermographers must be able to employ the scientific method of investigation. This white paper recounts the discoveries and lessons learned when the authors conducted a research project utilizing infrared imaging to measure the thermal performance of cookware for a client.

This paper will attempt to define the parameters that can affect radiometric accuracy and repeatability, as well as some methods to minimize their effect. It will also discuss possible reasons for discrepancy in readings with other devices.

Read about the basic key elements for a motor management system and discover an understanding of why a motor management system is much more than just a reliability and testing program. In fact, motor reliability and testing are two key components that make a significant contribution to a motor management system.

An overview of using infrared to inspect mechanical couplings including the types of couplings encountered, methods of failure, thermal signatures detected and the difficulties encountered

In the past, maintenance in the coal industry was using the “run-to-failure” philosophy. This mindset is not only costly; it can also be dangerous. Today, some of the more progressive coal companies are trying to find ways to be more cost effective in their maintenance practices including adding infrared thermography for to their maintenance process.

An overview of thermal imaging equipment for condition monitoring applications including electrical systems and mechanical equipment. Learn which features and specifications are important to consider when purchasing a camera. Readers will also find information and tips on how to buy a system including performing a needs analysis, handling the sales process and budgeting for the appropriate equipment and accessories.