Avoid fire hazards with thermal imaging equipment

About a third of all industrial fires are created by electrical problems and electrical fires currently cost Australia $600 million per year. Many insurance companies are now requesting evidence of a Thermal Imaging Report when renewing policies as they see Preventative Maintenance as an extra step in reducing the instances of electrical fires.

The electrical industry was the first sector to use thermal imaging cameras. But over the years more trades have found them useful for their work. In particular, for anyone concerned with equipment maintenance and identifying potential problems before they become too costly to repair, thermal imaging cameras are the Holy Grail. This is because a thermal imaging camera can identify problems early, allowing them to be documented and corrected before they become more serious, without putting the user in danger.

The thermal imaging camera is now the must-have item

The fundamental causes of overheating that result in electrical fires are poor connections, insulation failure, failing components, wiring mistakes and overloading. Thermal imaging technology identifies heat spikes signifying energy loss, missing or defective insulation, and can also indicate leaks and find moisture which is hazardous to electrical equipment. A crosshair of an area in an infrared (IR) image allows you to measure either the point value or the maximum or minimum value, detecting the most diverse electrical problems instantaneously.

How thermal imaging cameras work

Thermal imaging technology scans and visualises the temperature distribution of entire surfaces of machinery and electrical equipment quickly and accurately.

Thermal imaging equipment can detect extremely small temperature differences and produce an image with the tiniest amount of detail to help resolve problems fast. This can be carried out from a safe distance away from the hazardous area, away from any harm, without any intrusive building work, eg, pulling up floorboards or knocking through walls, disrupting businesses and homelife alike.

For instance, thermal imaging technology prevents electrical cabinets from overheating and causing meltdown, as it can locate hot spots and determine the size of the problem as well as when the equipment should be repaired. In addition, whether it is a lightweight handheld infrared camera that fits easily in a tool belt or a full-featured, high-definition infrared camera, the technology is available to suit every need and budget.

Developments in thermal imaging technology

Thermal imaging cameras can significantly improve and enhance your maintenance and troubleshooting activities. There is now more choice than ever before with a model on the market to suit every level of sophistication, analysis and reporting need. But as a starting point, the latest thermal imaging cameras are more robust and subjected to stringent drop tests to confirm their durability and engineered to withstand a two-metre drop. They are also dust- and water-resistant, are sharper with focused and clear images and allow recorded audio to be attached to each picture taken for future reference. Thermal imaging cameras should also have a temperature measurement range of -20 to +350°C with a manual focus.

The quality of the image has also improved dramatically. Traditional infrared images are no longer enough; the latest thermal imaging camera technology captures a digital photo in addition to the infrared image and combines them together, taking the mystery out of IR image analysis. This makes thermal imaging cameras the perfect tool for a wide variety of predictive maintenance applications. A fully radiometric infrared camera is ideal for troubleshooting electrical installations and all types of equipment including process equipment, HVACR equipment and electromechanical equipment.

As the user becomes more adept with the technology, so they find new uses for it. The opportunity to upgrade cameras in line with evolving experience, knowledge and demand is an essential element for this constantly improving technology.

Analysis and reporting

Finding potential problems on the thermal imaging screen is only part of the process, of course. Being able to analyse and report the information found is vital and the progress of this technology has developed in line with the cameras. Products range from simple software that allows users to organise and analyse radiometric images on the camera and quickly present them in a report with intuitive and easy-to-use online tools to systems that incorporate features such as fusion and trending, and provide greater flexibility in report design and layout. For the professional thermographer, dedicated software allows advanced analysis of building structures and includes customised building report templates for applications such as energy cost analysis.

Significantly, the inclusion of wireless technology in thermal imaging camera design enables data from a Wi-Fi-enabled moisture meter or clamp meter to be transferred to the corresponding thermal image. So, for example, the relationship between heat and power load can be seen, bringing more intelligence to the inspection process.

This technology also allows thermal imaging cameras to ‘talk’ to mobile devices such as an iPhone and iPad. The result is far greater application flexibility as it allows images to be shared with colleagues so that swift decisions can be taken on the remedial action needed to prevent loss of production or minimise risk.

Cost-effective, danger-free troubleshooting and maintenance

The most significant benefit thermal imaging cameras can have on a business, when used on equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, is the impact it has on return on investment.

Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZ 3760: ‘In-service safety inspection and testing of electrical equipment’ recommends in-service inspection and testing to ensure the safety of those using electrical equipment in the workplace. Occupational health and safety legislation also decrees that many workplace electrical appliances and fittings be tested as frequently as every six months. Thermal imaging monitoring should be done regularly to spot possible electrical hazards before any damage is done, thereby minimising repair and labour costs, and production loss. Business owners need to be made aware of their responsibility for ensuring electrical testing is up to date.

With constant advances in technology and the steep cost of purchasing thermal imaging equipment, it is often advantageous for businesses to rent high-end test and measurement tools. There is no initial outlay for items as the cost is spread over the hire period and all rental equipment is fully tax deductible. Also, storing, maintaining and disposing of items is the responsibility of the rental provider and a reliable supplier will offer technical support as and when you need it.