Predictive Maintenance Programs - Thermographic Imaging Surveys

• Eliminate Potential Fires
• Complete Site Scans Available
• Ensure Longevity of your equipment
• Avoid serious injury or potential disasters
• Negate short term and long term risks
• Avoid litigation and battles with insurance companies

Essentially a predictive maintenance programs is an investment in your company’s safety, productivity and profitability. Knowing of a potential crisis before it hits your facility is crucial.  The short term and long term advantages both can save your company from costly down time and unlimited amounts of money from potential disasters.

FAQ’s

Are there weaknesses in my electrical infrastructure?

Will insurance companies cover my entire facility in the event of a fire?

Is older equipment more susceptible to potential fires?

Do I have hot spots in my computer room?

Short Term Risks »

Long Term Risks »

Taking a Step Further »

The Thermographic Imaging Camera »

From the NFPA (National Fire Protection Agency) »

Thermal Imaging – Application Examples »

Thermal Imaging Scope of Work »

Client and Facility Responsibilities »

 

Short Term Risks

• Electrical Shorts
  
• Arch Flashing
  
• Loss from Fires
  
• Minor Financial Setbacks
  
• Parts Replacement
  
• Repairs
  
• Injury/Death

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Long Term Risks

• Major Financial Setbacks
• Equipment Replacement
  
• Litigation from Injury/Death

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Taking a Step Further

Our technicians take the time to familiarize themselves with your application and critical equipment within the given scope of work.

We also believe it is important to establish a proper chain of communication with the client to ensure proper communication and safety. 

Not only do we take our own safety precautions, we feel it is pertinent to become familiar and adhere to each individual sites safety protocols.  This comes into play in the event of an emergency.  We feel it is imperative that all personnel at the site must be on the same page with one another when it comes to safety and emergency protocol.

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The Thermographic Imaging Camera

The insurance industry says that for every dollar spent on thermographic testing of electrical systems, you save at least four dollars. Depending on the criticality of your site and the results of the testing, the savings could be substantially more.

30% of all fire losses are electrical in origin. The ability to predict many of these electrical problems before they cause damage is the inherit benefit of thermal testing.

Thermographic imaging surveys are non-evasive method of evaluating your critical loads.  This equates to inspection without turning off the load which would result in costly down time.

What the Camera Sees

• Much greater flexibility to inspect targets 
• Ability to visualize low thermal contrast targets
• More intuitive diagnosis of heat related problems
• Improved infrared visible fused image quality due to better matching of infrared and visible camera resolution 
• More intuitive diagnosis of temperature anomalies

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From the NFPA

NFPA 70B recommends that all commercial facilities perform non-invasive, non-contact, predictive electrical maintenance by means of thermographic surveys once a year. *

*Section 21.17.5 of NFPA 70B (National Fire and Protection Association) “Routine infrared inspections of energized electrical systems should be performed annually prior to shutdown.”

 Section 21.17.1.1 “Infrared inspections should be performed by qualified and trained personnel who have an understanding of infrared technology, electrical equipment maintenance and the safety issues involved”

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Thermal Imaging – Application Examples

The images to the right illustrate uneven heating in the second motor.  Adding thermal imaging to preventive maintenance insures proper operation of electrical equipment to insure their reliability and avoid costly failures and replacement. 

This chill water pump below would appear to be operating normally.  However, the thermal scan shows an overheated bearing which needs immediate attention.

This image shows two busbars, the one on the top is operating normally however the one on the bottom is running hot indicative of a bad connection.  Energy Audits can reveal many opportunities to save energy.  Thermal efficiency of a commercial building or industrial facility can be greatly enhanced by scanning for thermal heat and cool infiltration or exfiltration, moisture invasion and concrete integrity issues

 

Accurately detect moisture issues located behind exterior and interior walls, in ceilings or under carpet covered floors.  Thermal Scans can also aid in mold remediation allowing the detection of moisture sources easily.  Infrared scanning is the fastest most efficient way to provide 100% moisture detection overage.

Electronics can quickly and easily be scanned for hot spots.  Heat is the number one cause of electronic failure and damage to computer operating systems.  This is even more prolific with the advancing technologies associated with modern server platforms.  In fact, Blade Servers can generate up to 10 tons of heat fully configured in one server cabinet.

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Thermal Imaging Scope of Work

• Visual and Mechanical Inspection
1. Inspect for physical, electrical, and mechanical condition.
2. Remove all necessary covers prior to thermographic inspection.

• Equipment to be inspected shall include all current-carrying devices specified by customer or representative of customer; provided equipment meets the criteria in "Test Parameters" stated in #3 (See Below).
  In our computer generated report the following will be provided:
1. Abnormalities in operating equipment.
2. Temperature difference between the area of concern and the reference area.
3. Cause of temperature difference.
4. Areas inspected. Identify inaccessible and/or unobservable areas and/or equipment.
5. Identify load conditions at time of inspection.
6. Visible light photographs, when practical and/or thermograms of the deficient area.*

• Test Parameters
1. Inspect distribution systems with imaging equipment capable of detecting a minimum temperature difference of one degree Celsius at 30 degrees Celsius.
2. Equipment shall detect emitted radiation and convert detected radiation to visual signal.
3. Thermographic surveys should be performed during periods of maximum possible loading but not less than forty percent (40%) of rated load of the electrical equipment being inspected. (NFPA 70B - 1990, paragraph 18-16.5)

• Test Results – Generate a report of findings with results and recommendations
  • Category 1. Temperature differences of 1 degree Celsius to 3 degrees Celsius indicate possible deficiency and warrant investigation only.
  • Category 2. Temperature differences of 4 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius indicate deficiency; Repair at a planned date in the future.
  • Category 3. Temperature differences of 16 degrees Celsius and above indicate major deficiency; Immediate repair required.

In addition to equipment status, the survey report shall contain an explanation of probable cause and recommendations for issues detected in the survey.

After a report has been issued to client, Tru-Power Technicians will be available for consultation.  However, all final decisions regarding repair both minor and major shall be made by the client.

 

Client and Facility Responsibilities

For Liability purposes Tru-Power will request that the client will comply with the standards listed below in order for us to complete the survey safely and to code.

1. Technician shall be provided with an escort employed and authorized by building owner/proprietor/responsible overseer.
2. Removal of panel board covers.
   For liability purposes the panel board covers must be removed by one of the following personnel:
   • Facility Employee/Escort (Ideal Situation)
   • Certified Electrical Contractor (Supplied by Client)
   • Certified Electrical Contractor (Supplied by Tru-Power)
     -To be billed at client’s expense
   Panel boards can be removed before arrival of technician to expedite survey process, record less hours, and lower total cost of survey.
3. As stated above in Scope of Work, thermographic surveys should be performed during periods of maximum possible loading but not less than forty percent (40%) of rated load of the electrical equipment being inspected. (NFPA 70B - 1990, paragraph 18-16.5)
4. Testing while systems are running at full load or at normal operating load will ensure the testing results reflects the equipment’s condition under normal everyday operation.  In addition, this eliminates down time.

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