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data centers

Keep Data Centers Running with Infrared Testing

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Many companies and business owners think infrared testing is just for heavy machinery and things like a building’s roof or HVAC system. However, having thermal imaging electrical inspections in data centers can help ensure the entire company is running at peak efficiency.

The hardest part for thermographers is surveying the numerous circuit boards and other devices and comparing them among the different surveys. However, this type of detail is exactly what companies need to keep their data centers running.

Negative Impacts of Data Center Downtime

Companies today use infrared testing to avoid costly shutdowns. The financial impact alone of shutting down production for even one hour can be significant. Any industry is negatively affected by data center downtime, so it’s crucial for thermographers to do a thorough job any time they conduct an infrared electrical systems survey. That’s why so many hire a professional.

What happens with an electric systems failure could vary depending on the type of equipment. That’s why thermographic scanning will analyze circuit boards, servers, cooling systems, switchgears and any other electrical equipment. With the highly sensitive equipment, certified thermographers have to keep detailed records just in case some equipment becomes faulty shortly after the testing; it’s that good. The thermographer has to be able to indicate the equipment was in good working condition at the time of the scan.

How Infrared Testing Prevents Electrical Failure

Numerous things can go wrong when dealing with electrical equipment. A plug can overheat, a wire can be exposed or a server could become overloaded. The importance of electrical testing and inspection in data centers can’t be overstated. Due to the size of some data centers, it’s nearly impossible for a maintenance professional to inspect every plug or piece of equipment on a routine basis. That’s why infrared testing is critical to help locate faulty equipment more efficiently.

Servers are Constantly Running

Even when employees go home for the day, data centers and servers never take time off. These pieces of equipment are designed to handle big loads, but malfunctions can happen at any time. As a result, data centers have to have more frequent infrared electrical inspections than other pieces of equipment in the building. Even one server going down could quickly and drastically impact a business.

Performing IR Testing at Data Centers

When you hire a certified thermographer to conduct an IR electrical systems survey at your company, you’ll have the peace of mind knowing every piece of equipment is in good shape. If something needs to be repaired or replaced, you’ll know it right away.

The cost of infrared testing is minimal when compared to the potential consequences of having to shut down a data center. Whether you’ve done infrared testing in your company in the past or not, contact us for details about the process.

Look for energy leaks with thermographic imaging.

Where Are Energy Leaks Most Often Found in Commercial Buildings?

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Energy leaks are common in commercial buildings. The bad thing is most business owners don’t even know they are wasting energy and money with each passing day. What business owner or maintenance professional has the time to survey the entire building for energy leaks? Luckily, these leaks tend to collect in a few common areas. It can be difficult to detect these leaks without the help of thermographic imaging so here are the most common places to find them.

HVAC System

You may have the top-of-the-line HVAC system in your commercial building, but without frequent electrical testing and inspection, you could still be wasting energy. HVAC systems with poorly sealed ducts most commonly create energy leaks. However, you also need to frequently check your electrical connections since a corroded or loose connection could cause the system to overheat and use more energy than necessary.

Electrical Systems

Transformers and control circuits are the two main culprits of energy waste when it comes to electrical systems. Most people don’t think electrical systems can waste energy so they don’t check them. However, with the help of thermal imaging services, you can detect any sort of energy leak coming from an electrical system and prevent it from occurring in the future.

Building Envelope

The building envelope is the entire building structure, including the roof, the walls, doors, windows, penetrations and anything else. It’s nearly impossible to have a perfect building envelope so that’s why thermographic imaging is important to detect places where energy could be leaking. Any part of the building envelope is prone to leaking, but frequent maintenance could significantly reduce the amount of energy loss.

Generators and Motors

Electrical motors always waste energy. They frequently malfunction and overheat so monitoring and testing them is critical to reducing energy waste. Be sure to check all of the bearings, electrical connections, airflow and other components to ensure the energy leaks are as minimal as possible.

Energy leaks can come from almost anywhere in a commercial building. No one has the time to check these components on a daily basis as required so contact us at Infrared Consulting Services. Together, we can schedule a thermographic imaging test to help reduce the amount of energy leaks at your business.

Electrical Thermal Imaging Boosts Electrical Functionality

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If you work in a commercial facility that depends on the functioning of electrical equipment, you know the importance of keeping everything in working order. Something can go wrong too easily and quietly, leaving you with a major loss of productivity to deal with, as well as hundreds or thousands of dollars in  repair costs. Did you know there’s an easy way to prevent this kind of catastrophe in your workplace? It comes in the form of electrical thermal imaging and can save you and your facility hundreds thousands of dollars potentially spent on repairs.

How Do Infrared Scans Work?

Infrared scanning, otherwise known as thermographic imaging, is meant to help detect problems in electrical equipment and other components and areas of a building that are otherwise undetectable by the average human senses. When you request an infrared scan, you’ll be hiring someone to take thermal imagery of your machinery for the sake of spotting any potential issues within them. These pictures are monochromatic and are meant to read the temperature given off by the depicted equipment. The hotter an object is, the stronger the variance from dark to light will be. This will be yours and your inspector’s first clue to any signs of trouble.

What Can Thermographic Imaging Tell Me About My Equipment?

All functioning electrical equipment conducts heat as it operates. However, it is beyond our senses to determine how much or how little heat a piece of equipment is giving off. This is where electrical testing and inspection comes in. The first sign of trouble in any electrical device is giving off far more heat than it should. If your equipment is escalating to much higher temperatures than normal, you likely have a serious problem waiting in the wings. The devices used during an infrared scan will be able to easily detect how high a temperature your facility’s equipment is reaching and provide you with a thermogram. The professional in charge of administering your scan will also be able to give you advice on the next steps you should take to resolve the problem.

Why Is This Important?

It’s always better to solve problems before they start, especially when you work in a commercial facility where valuable production time and funds are on the line. With the help of electrical thermal imaging, you have the ability to take care of any issues with your equipment before they escalate into something worse. This will also help to keep your facility as stable as possible by making sure everything is in working order and enabling you to take action with malfunctioning equipment early. If you decide to take up having routine inspections performed, you will then have a method of normal maintenance that will allow you to take care of problems even more easily.

We hope you will consider taking up this valuable preventive measure. If you have any questions or concerns about infrared inspections, feel free to contact us for more information.