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Posted By: sparky 134 Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 01:09 AM
Does anyone here perform thermal imaging ? Years ago, the contractor I worked for was hired to perform repairs of electrical equipment that was found to have potential problems diagnosed with the thermal imaging.

We were given printouts of each piece of equipment which had a thermal image attached that pointed out the problem area. We wound up cleaning contacts, tightening lugs, etc.

Posted By: steve macdonald Re: Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 02:35 AM
I use thermal imaging as a pre service for our customers. Do you have any images to show?
Posted By: gfretwell Re: Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 04:09 AM
There are a couple guys over at NACHI (home inspectors) with FLIR cameras. They have posted some interesting panel pictures
Posted By: ITO Re: Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 02:30 PM
A guy called me last week wanting to rent me a TI camera, and one of my jobs requires it at closeout so he is sending me some information. If you want I will post it when it gets here.
Posted By: JValdes Re: Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 03:50 PM
Some industrial facilities require thermogaphy inspection on set intervals. These test's are very good at identifying potential problems and allow you to act before the problem becomes a unexpected shut down or catastrophic failure of the equipment.
It is pretty expensive. But worth every dime if you are counting on the equipment not to fail as I mentioned above.

A good test will result in a picture, location, temp, and severity of the identified "hot spots".

It can also be a good tool on moving equipment like conveyors and motors. I had tech tell me which belt would fail first on a six belt pulley. I maked the belt and sure enough it did fail first. It's good for bearings too.

Overhead bus is another great example. No ladder, no opening of covers. Pic's performed from the floor. I am not sure how reliable this is though.

It's a great maintenance tool. We finally bought one for our company and sent one of our guys to school to learn how to operate it correctly.
Posted By: Zog Re: Thermal imaging - 11/07/07 04:21 PM
Dont assume its that easy, IR scanning is not point and shoot, there is alot to know about emmisstivity, material properties, reflection, and Delta T values. Many companies will specifiy the level of certification (Yes, certification)for persons performing IR scanning services.

I have seen alot of EC's try this on thier own without any clue to what they are doing and ending up very bad for them.
Posted By: sparkyinak Re: Thermal imaging - 11/08/07 08:11 AM
I have an IR cam I use in my work. As with every tool, it has is pluses and minuses. If you understand the technology and know how to apply it, IR scanning is a powerful tool when it comes to predictive maintenance and trouble shooting. I coworker of mine found a pinhole leak in a water pipe in a wall. They knew they had a leak but did not know where. The old way would have been was take a guess and punch a hole until it is found. I used it and found a lingering problem in an extensive lighting system. With the pics in my report expedited the replacement project of the lighting system. I have also use it to TS an electic heat mat system. Although it was under 2 inches of asphalt, you can see in the pics the heat wire in the mat as it zig-zags back and forth. It can be used to find mold, poor insulation, and even studs in a wall. Is there any particular info you are looking for?
Posted By: steve macdonald Re: Thermal imaging - 11/09/07 02:10 AM
You guys got it right. Experience will make you a better scanner.Finding a hot spot,making the repair,then rescanning.You can debug a new job "get'er done" or recommend repairs to an old neglected system.I'll post a few pictures when I get a chance.

Try this for bad judgment sparkyinak!
I started scanning with a detector mounted on a gun stock...scanning pole mounted transformers....in the middle of a parking lot...in Toronto. Thank God for hand held imagers Lest I request a kevlar vest!lol
Posted By: steve macdonald Re: Thermal imaging - 11/09/07 02:23 AM
You guys got it right. Experience will make you a better scanner.Finding a hot spot,making the repair,then rescanning.You can debug a new job "get'er done" or recommend repairs to an old neglected system.I'll post a few pictures when I get a chance.

Try this for bad judgment sparkyinak!
I started scanning with a detector mounted on a gun stock...scanning pole mounted transformers....in the middle of a parking lot...in Toronto. Thank God for hand held imagers Lest I request a kevlar vest!lol
Posted By: sparky 134 Re: Thermal imaging - 11/11/07 12:56 PM
The reason I started thinking about thermal imaging is for business reasons. Since I am trying to grow my business I was considering expanding into thermal imaging.

I haven't picked a particular brand. I have noticed that Fluke has a few models available. Any recommendations from those currently using TI cameras ?

Also, any suggestions for building a customer base for this service ?
Posted By: renosteinke Re: Thermal imaging - 11/11/07 04:16 PM
Business uses .... now there's something to consider!

There seem to be two approaches to having a major tool in your business. Think of them as "John's way" and "My plumbers' way."
Disclaimer: The plumber makes far more than I do!

"John's way" is where you quietly add the tool to your truck, and pull it out as needed. You rely on the tool making you look good, by letting you do a better job. You might even get some 'trickle down' business, as word gets around that you can do certain jobs that the others can't.

"The plumbers' way" is where you separate the new tool from your list of 'normal' tools, and add a surcharge to your bill whenever the use of it is required. The plumber also makes sure everyone in town knows he has the latest toy .... going so far as to write it on the side of his truck, and mention it in his 'on hold' recording. That nearly every other plumber has the tool by now doesn't matter .... he continues to hammer in the 'high-tech and up-to-date' message.
Posted By: togol Re: Thermal imaging - 11/11/07 04:42 PM
there is a foundry in town here that used this service .
the "tech" showed up every six months and went on a tour of the plant with the Senior Electrician who randomly picked things to scan.

then a nice binder was produced with all the scans that required some attention along with a priority schedule.

it also included a brief explanation of WHERE in the plant it was....... lol

it was actually quite helpful in trying to eliminate some of the many problems in the plant.
and since I had nothing to do with the walk-down I received several trinkets from the tech ........coffee mug, hats, keychains, t-shirt


I have no idea as to where you could begin to drum up business.maybe along I-55 from Plainfield to Bolingbrook.

Hinsdale hospital ?
there is a new school in Bolingbrook
Stevenson Crane has lots of receps in the backlot for all the crane block heaters
maybe some of the truck terminals out that way

for that matter try getting your foot in at Argonne Labs
Posted By: geoff in UK Re: Thermal imaging - 11/11/07 05:31 PM
I've no experience of thermal imaging, but I did have extensive experience of electronic instruments, though a few years ago now. Fluke was then always up with the best for design performance and quality. Pricey but reliable. Fairly robust though, again, expensive to fix when you break it!
Posted By: LarryC Re: Thermal imaging - 11/11/07 09:45 PM
From my surfing at the Heatinghelp.com website, FLIR (brand name) seems to be the most often used IR Imager posted.

Larry C
Posted By: sparkyinak Re: Thermal imaging - 11/12/07 12:46 AM
IR scanning is big investment. A good IR camera I priced are around $20k. Training is not cheap but a must if you are going to market it. There are several makers of IR equipment who support their product with training. I use a camera made by FLIR and they have certification programs. Click here for more info
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