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What is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal Imaging or thermography (hot spot testing) is the process of using a special camera designed to look only for heat by way of infra-red (IR) energy waves. By detecting anomalies often invisible to the naked eye, thermal imaging has evolved into one of the most cost effective and valuable diagnostic tools for predictive maintenance.
Understanding exactly what thermal cameras are and how they work is extremely important. A thermal camera records the intensity of radiation in the infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum and converts it directly into a visible image. In simpler terms, this means that a thermal camera detects IR light (which is completely invisible to humans) and uses this information to display an image that shows the different temperatures in an environment.
What is IR Light?
Well, basically IR light is expressed mainly through IR radiation which is output as heat via an object. Everything from our own bodies to basic items around us pumps out IR radiation constantly and the thermal imaging camera is able to pick up on this distribution (known commonly as 'emissivity') and show the temperature differences in an environment as a thermal image. Even extremely cold objects, such as a block of ice or an ice cube, still output IR radiation.
Thermal cameras are able to utilise the infrared energy put out by objects and convert it directly into an image. This is carried out by focusing IR light by the use of the cameras optics onto an infrared detector. This information is then sent to sensor electronics for image processing and this translates the detected information into an image where every pixel represents a temperature measurement. Depending on the amount of pixels capable of being displayed by the camera this enables the user to gain comprehensive measurements of temperature in an area, all with the added benefit of not actually making contact with a surface.
Why Use a Thermal Camera for Electrical Testing?
The advantages of using thermal imaging in electrical applications are vast. All electrical equipment and components are subject to deterioration that is not always apparent or detected by conventional checks such as routine maintenance or periodic test and inspection.
Potential problems can often be found due to excess heat being released by the component, even those that would normally produce some heat when performing at their optimum level.
- Loose connections
- Corroded joints
- Overloads
- Phase imbalances
- High resistance in fuses and switchgear
- Worn parts and insulation resistance breakdown
These faults can become clearly visible with the aid of a thermal camera being identified as ‘hot spots’.
Incorrectly installed or damaged components generally output an excessive amount of heat. The white colouring seen on thermal images identifies sections of the image that are extremely hot, thus showing that something isn't working correctly in the system. The colours range from white, yellow, and orange, red to dark pink, purple and dull blue showing things that are not outputting much IR radiation.
A thermal camera simply detects the problem within seconds and stores the image for easy reference at a later date. If a thermal camera wasn't used these problems might go completely unnoticed or require extensive testing of a system to find the problem.
What Kind of Systems can Thermal Imaging be Used On?
Everything from our common electrical appliances to complex electrical systems running industrial-grade machinery relies on their components and the safe introduction of electricity into the system in order to run efficiently. Component breakdown or inefficiently running electrical systems can be both a costly process due to the amount of excess power used and can also result in an electrical system becoming increasingly unsafe to be utilised.
Generally speaking all electronic equipment and components heat up before they break down. These potential problems will be clearly shown in a thermal image.
Testing electrical systems regularly is therefore of the utmost importance, particularly when downtime or excessive running costs could be extremely costly to the organisation.
Conventional testing of components can be much more complex and require extensive testing to be carried out. This means a lot of time can be wasted testing components that are perfectly fine, which again can be a costly process.
CGE and Thermal Imaging
CGE regularly carry out diagnostic thermography for our clients. Thermal cameras are an extremely effective tool:
- For testing electrical systems for component damage, excessive heat and for ensuring overall system efficiency.
- Instant fault diagnosis
- Identifying the severity of the problem and necessary remedial action required
- Early stage remedial action can save both time and money
They can be used absolutely everywhere from domestic installations to testing inside complex industrial-based systems, making them an incredibly versatile testing tool.
Want to see what thermal imaging can do for you?
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01953 885000
