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.

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.

The purpose of an arc flash analysis is to provide “qualified persons,” who will be performing work on or near energized electrical equipment, with the information they need to protect themselves against the possibility of being injured by the release of energy as a result of an arcing fault. This paper will outline what’s real, what’s not, and what YOU need to do to ensure compliance, whether you work in a 2,000 square foot office or at a 500,000 square foot textile plant.

More and more industrial and commercial facilities are purchasing their own imaging systems, taking training classes and bringing programs in house. The largest driving force in this particular trend is the growth in imager technology that has led to cameras becoming increasingly affordable. Gone are the days when a camera purchase was a major capital expenditure. In fact thermal imagers today can cost less than other more common specialty tools, but the question of value and ROI remains in the minds of many end users of thermography.

This white paper features 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.

Over the past few years there have been considerable breakthroughs in the market for thermal imagers including the fact that prices have dropped considerably. Even better, the ideal thermal imager for today’s building thermographer does not necessarily need to be “top-of-the-line” or “most expensive”. Whether you are a home performance contractor, weatherization crew member or energy auditor there are many fine choices that will certainly meet your needs. This paper will provide an overview of thermal imaging equipment for building applications.

Thermal imaging is an essential tool for anyone involved with home weatherization. This paper covers how infrared is utilized to inspect residential homes for heat loss and gain, outlining how crews can use it during the audit, while at the job site and for quality assurance. Also covered is how infrared, when used with a blower door, can provide home performance professionals with a comprehensive assessment of a building’s thermal performance, allowing them to work more efficiently and effectively.

Using infrared to help locate moisture problems in buildings, while effective in the right conditions, can be a challenging application for a thermographer. The moisture in question within a structure could be at the surface or, even more difficult, interstitial, making detection close to impossible in certain situations. Additionally, an infrared camera alone is not able to detect and confirm the presence moisture (or mold for that matter). Instead it is used to locate thermal patterns that may be associated with the presence of moisture.

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.

Thermal imaging is not just a cold-weather tool that is only used during the winter. Great images and valuable data can be captured year-round, especially during the summer months, and in warm-weather climates, where energy efficiency concerns are also just as prevalent. Thanks to a continuous improvement in the quality and sensitivity of infrared cameras on the market, inspections are also possible during the “off season” of spring and fall when weather conditions are less than ideal or when the recommended temperature parameters of accepted industry standards are not being met.