ENGINEERING TRAINING

Basic Knowledge of Predictive

Maintenance By Infrared Thermography

BELLY BERTO
 WHAT IS THE INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

Thermography is a method of inspecting electrical and mechanical equipment by

obtaining heat distribution pictures.

This inspection method is based on the fact that most components in a system
show an increase in temperature when malfunctioning.
The one of indication increase in temperature in an electrical circuit could be due
to loose connections, or a worn bearing in the case of mechanical equipment.

By observing the heat patterns in operational system components, faults can be

located and their seriousness evaluated.
 WHAT IS THE INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

The inspection tool used by Thermographers is the Thermal Imager. These are
sophisticated devices which measure the natural emissions of infrared radiation
from a heated object and produce a thermal picture.
Modern Thermal Imagers are portable with easily operated controls. As
physical contact with the system is not required, inspections can be made
under full operational conditions resulting in no loss of production or downtime.
 INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY METHODS

Measurement of Temperature using Infrared Methods

When using a Thermal Imager it is helpful to have a basic knowledge
of infrared theory.

Basics Physics

An object when heated radiates electromagnetic energy. The amount

of energy is related to the object’s temperature. The Thermal Imager
can determine the temperature of the object without physical contact
by measuring the emitted energy.

What is Emitted Energy:

something emits heat, light, gas, or a smell, it produces it and sends

it out by means of a physical or chemical process.
Electromagnetic Spectrum

The energy from a heated object is radiated at different levels

across the electromagnetic spectrum.
In most industrial applications it is the energy radiated at infrared
wavelengths which is used to
determine the object’s temperature.

The Next Figure shows various forms of radiated energy in the

electromagnetic spectrum including X-rays, Ultra Violet, Infrared
and Radio. They are all emitted in the form of a wave and travel
at the speed of light. The only difference between them is their
wavelength which is related to frequency
INFRARED REGION OF ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM
THERMAL IMAGE
TEMPERATURE CRITERIA FOR INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

The Criteria of Infrared thermography

1. Delta T Criteria for Electrical Equipment and
Mechanical Equipment
2. Absolute Temperature Criteria
a) For Electrical Equipment
b) For Mechanical Equipment
 STANDARD ELECTRICAL ROOM TEMPERATURE

IEC 60079-0 states the normal ambient temperature range as –20 °C to +40
°C
Keeping the ambient of the electrical room below 86° F (30° C) avoids derating
conductors in the electrical room.

IEEE C57.12.00-2000 standard, power transformers are rated at a maximum

ambient temperature of 40 degrees Celsius with the average ambient
temperature not to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in any 24-hour period.

BS EN 60439 states a maximum indoor temperature of 40ºC, a maximum daily

average of 35ºC and a minimum environmental temperature of -5ºC.
Delta T Criteria For Electrical and Mechanical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Electrical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Electrical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Electrical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Electrical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Electrical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Mechanical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Mechanical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Mechanical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Mechanical Equipment
Absolute Temperatur Criteria For Mechanical Equipment
THERMOGRAPHY REPORT
 THERMAL IMAGERS IN PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE APPLICATIONS

In today’s industrial/commercial building it is essential that unplanned

breakdowns and the resultant costly loss of production/unproductivity is kept to
an absolute minimum.

Predictive maintenance schemes have been introduced to identify potential

problems and reduce downtime.

Thermography in maintenance applications is based on the fact that most

components show increase in temperature when malfunctioning and faults
steadily get worse before failure.
THE BENEFIT OF THERMAL IMAGERS IN PREDICTIVE MAINTENANCE APPLICATIONS

Routine inspection program using Thermal Imagers can often offer the following
benefits:

1. Inspections can be made under full operational conditions and hence there is no of
production.
2. Equipment life can be extended
3. Plant downtime may be reduced
4. Plant reliability may be increased
5. Plant repairs scheduled for the most convenient time
6. Quality of repair work may be inspected
7. To Avoid Potential of Fire Hazard.
8. As Performance assessment
 INFRARED THEREMOGRAPHY CAN BE USED FOR:

1. To Assess and verify the electrical equipment performance or condition

2. To Assess and verify the mechanical equipment performance and condition
(e.g. Pump, Chiller , AHU, FCU, Generator, Electric Motor ect
3. As the one of method for building diagnostic:
a. Thermal Insulation Diagnostic
b. Water Proofing Diagnostic
c. Water Pipe leaking
d. Moisture/Humidity
Referenced Documents
1. Standard for Measuring and Compensating for Emittance Using Infrared
Imaging Radiometers. Infraspection Institute, 425 Ellis Street, Burlington, NJ
08016.
2. Standard for Measuring and Compensating for Reflected Temperature Using
Infrared Imaging
3. Radiometers. Infraspection Institute, 425 Ellis Street, Burlington, NJ 08016.
4. Standard for Measuring and Compensating for Transmittance of an
Attenuating Medium Using Infrared Imaging Radiometers. Infraspection
Institute, 425 Ellis Street, Burlington, NJ 08016.
5. NFPA 70B Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance.
National Fire Protection Association, 1 Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA
02169.
6. NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace. National Fire
Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02169.
7. Occupational Safety and Health Standards for General Industry 29 CFR,
Part 1910. US Department of Labor. Occupational Safety & Health
Administration, Washington, DC.
8. Occupational Safety and Health Standards for the Construction Industry 29
CFR, Part 1926. US
9. Department of Labor. Occupational Safety & Health Administration,
Washington, DC.
10. Level-l Certified Infrared Thermographer® Reference Manual. Infraspection
Institute, Burlington, NJ.
11. Level-ll Certified Infrared Thermographer® Reference Manual. Infraspection
Institute, Burlington, NJ.
12. Standard for Infrared Inspection of Electrical Systems & Rotating , 2008
Edition, Infraspection Institute 425 Ellis StreetBurlington, NJ 08016
13. ANSI/ ASHRAE Standard 101-1981 - "Application of Infrared Sensing Devices
to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss Characteristics."
14. ASTM Standard C10601 1987 - '7hermographic Inspection of Insulation in
Envelope Cavities in Wood Frame Buildings." Available from American Society
forTesting and Materials1 1916 Race Street1 Philadelphia1 Pennsylvania
19103.
15. ISO Standard 6781 - '7hermal insulation - Qualitative detection of thermal
irregularities in building envelopes -Infrared method." Available from American
National Standard Institute1 1430 Broadway1 New York, New York 10081
16.
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