INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Introduction: Infrared Thermography is extensively used in Industry and Commercial Settings for predictive maintenance, quality assurance and forensic investigations of electrical, mechanical and structural systems. Other applications include tank and concrete inspection, nondestructive testing, condition monitoring, night vision and medical and veterinary sciences. Infrared Thermography is receiving increasing acceptance because it is non-destructive, non-contact, non-intrusive technique and most contact, non intrusive importantly it gives very high return on investment. A ten year study by a billion dollar American Insurance Company determined that a proper Infrared Predictive Mainte Maintenance Programme produces 400 % Return on Investment (ROI). IR Inspection: IR Inspection mainly involves scanning, image taking and image analysis and among them analysis part is most important for correct diagnosis of problems.

Visual Image Guide Lines for IR Inspection

IR Image

American Society for Non Non-Destructive Testing (ASNI) is an apex organization and it has given guidelines for performing an effective Infrared Thermographic Inspections - both Qualitative: an infrared graphic examination that provides images of exceptions but not temperature data as well as Quantitative: an infrared examination that provides both images of exceptions and temperature data for Electrical & Mechanical Equipments. Equipments

Important advice given therein is given below1. Thermographer ResponsibilitiesThe infrared thermographer shall: Have sufficient knowledge of the components, construction and theory of electrical or mechanical equipment, or both, to understand the observed patterns of radiation. Be knowledgeable of, and comply with, the safety practices and rules of the end user. Use an infrared imaging system with imaging or radiometric capabilities, or both, sufficient to meet the examination requirements. Be a licensed electrician, professional engineer and has quali cations of disciplines to which the inspection relates. 2. Procedure The end user (the person responsible for using the information provided by an infrared examination) shall provide, to accompany the infrared thermographer, a quali ed assistant who is knowledgeable of the operation and history of the equipment to be examined. With the assistance of the quali ed assistant, the infrared thermographer shall develop an inventory list of the equipment to be examined in a logical, efficient and safe route through the facility. The infrared thermographer shall perform a calibration test(s), before each quantitative infrared examination, to ensure that all temperature-measuring equipment is within the manufacturers standard speci cation for accuracy. The quali ed assistant shall prepare the equipment for examination by: Obtaining authorization necessary to gain access to the equipment to be examined and notifying operations personnel of the examination activities, Opening or removing, or both, all necessary cabinet and enclosure covers immediately before examination to provide the infrared thermographer with direct views of the equipment. Ensuring that the equipment to be examined is under adequate load, creating satisfactory loads when necessary, and allowing sufficient time for recently energized equipment to produce stable thermal patterns. When examining the equipment, the thermographer will comply with all safety rules, regulations and practices of the end user. The infrared thermographer shall perform examinations when the environmental and physical conditions, such as solar gain, wind,

surface and atmospheric moisture and heat transfer are favorable to gathering accurate data. The infrared thermographer shall document any exceptions found by recording the data required in 3 below. NOTE Special care must be exercised when examining surfaces having low emissivities (<0.5). In these circumstances exceptions may be more difficult to detect. Also, such surfaces produce re ections that can be misleading. The infrared thermographer should be aware of these potential error sources and use techniques to minimize them, such as moving the position of the imager and blocking the surfaces from re ected sources. When requested by the infrared thermographer, the quali ed assistant shall measure the loads of electrical equipment. The quali ed assistant shall close or replace, or both, the cabinet and enclosure covers that had been opened or removed immediately after examination and documentation by the infrared thermographer. The infrared thermographer shall prepare a report for the end user containing the appropriate content listed in Section 3. The infrared thermographer shall, when requested by the end user, re-examine each exception after repair to assure that its operating temperature is normal and the potential problem corrected.

3. ReportThe infrared thermographer shall provide documentation for all infrared examinations. The following information shall be included in a report to the end user: The name, affiliation, address, and telephone number of the infrared thermographe, and his/her certi cation level and number, if applicable. The name and address of the end user. The name(s) of the assistant(s) accompanying the infrared thermographer during the examination. The manufacturer, model and serial number of the infrared imaging system used. The inventory list with notations of the items of equipment that were examined and explanations for the items not examined. Also, the items with low-emissivity surfaces should be identi ed. The date(s) of the inspection and when the report was prepared. When performing a qualitative infrared examination, the infrared thermographer shall provide the following information for each exception identi ed: Its exact location.

A description, such as its signi cant nameplate data, phase or circuit number, rated voltage, current rating and/or rotation speed. The ambient air temperature and, when relevant, the wind speed and direction and the sky conditions at the time of the examination. The time the exception was documented. Hardcopies of the thermal image (thermogram) and of a corresponding visible-light image. The eld of view or magni cation multiplier of the infrared imager lens, and any imager settings that could affect the accuracy, reliability, or repeatability of the inspection data. Notation of any attenuating media, such as windows, lters, atmospheres or external optics. If desired, a subjective repair priority rating provided by the quali ed assistant or end user representative, or both, based on the importance of the exception to the safe and pro table operation of the facility. and Any other information or special conditions which may affect the results, repeatability or interpretation of the exception. When performing a quantitative infrared examination, the infrared thermographer shall provide the following additional information for each exception: NOTE The purpose of a quantitative infrared inspection is to produce temperature data. If temperature data are not desired or required, then the infrared thermographer performs a qualitative infrared inspection and does not measure or provide temperatures. The distance from the infrared camera to the exception, Whenever possible, the maximum rated load of an electrical system exception and its measured load at the time of the examination, and The percentage load on the electrical exception, calculated by dividing its measured load by its rated load and multiplying by 100, The re ected temperature, emissivity and transmission values used to calculate the temperature(s) of the exception, The temperature of the exception, Actual temperatures of surfaces having low emissivities may differ from corrected radiometric measurements. If requested, the difference between the temperature of the exception and the temperature of a de ned reference such as a similar component under similar load, ambient temperature or a standard, and If requested, a comparison of the measured temperatures with reference standards, and complete identi cation of these standards, including their sources.

4. Thermographer Qualification ASNT has provided guidelines for Thermographers qualification- as Level I, Level II and Level III certifications. Meaning of these levels is given belowLevel I : An individual with Level I certification is qualified to perform specific calibrations, specific tests, and specific evaluations. He/she follows written instructions and is capable of recording test results. Level II: An individual with Level II certification is qualified to set up and calibrate equipment. He/she can interpret and evaluate results with respect to applicable codes and standards. He/she is thoroughly familiar with the scope and limitations of the method for which he/she is qualified. The Level II individual provides on-the-job training for Level I personnel. Level III: An individual with Level III certification shall have the skills and knowledge to establish techniques and procedures and to verify the accuracy of procedures. He/she can interpret codes, standards, specifications and procedures. The Level III individual will also have genera familiarity with the other Non Destructive Testing (NDT) methods, as well as knowledge in material science, manufacturing methods, and product technology. He/she shall be capable of conducting or directing the training and examining in the methods for which he/she is qualified. Economic Value: Failure of equipment, machine in electrical or any system may result in loss of production, injury, fire or other damages to property etc., all resulting financial loss. IR Inspection identifies fault sites in advance and suggests for corrective actions based on fault severity. IR Thermography removes unnecessary preventive maintenance and typically in ordinary circumstances 30 to 40 % of the maintenance costs can be saved. Advantages Finds problem before it finds you! Less expensive; Reduce maintenance cost; Extend asset life; Reduce inventory base; Increase product quality & consistency. For more information, pl. call on 097300121140 or write on arvind_mahadik@yahoo.co.in A. A. Mahadik