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Prevent problems with an infrared inspection.

How Can an Infrared Inspection Help You Fix Electrical Issues?

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Look for overheating issues with an infrared inspection.

An infrared inspection identifies potential problems.

Prevent problems with an infrared inspection.

An infrared inspection can prevent problems.

How familiar are you with electrical thermography? It is an invaluable tool for those any commercial facility, as it easily detects issues with your equipment through careful temperature readings and enables you to create a plan of action should any signs of malfunction be found. You may be wondering just how this could be true. In this blog, we’ll be going over just how infrared inspection works and how it can be used to save you valuable equipment, time and money. There are a number of different equipment types that electrical thermography can detect problems with, including:

Transformers

One of the ways in which infrared inspection equipment can be used is for the transformers in your facility. Transformers are important to your facility’s operation and equipment, as without it your equipment wouldn’t be able to function whatsoever—yet most facility managers neglect to have the transformers in their facility properly inspected by a professional thermographer. When an infrared inspection is performed on your transformer, the inspector’s device will measure the amount of heat coming from the transformer’s cooling tubes. Problems may be developing with the transformer if any of the tubes are disparate in temperature from the rest. Normally there will be an even amount of heat flowing between them all.

Fuses

A broken fuse can display problems in one of two ways—both of which can only be detected through electrical thermography. A fuse that has completely blown will have gone cold. Meanwhile, a fuse that is on the verge of blowing will appear much warmer than usual. This is a sign that the fuse cannot handle much more energy and investigated

Wires

Electrical problems can occur most frequently and easily in your facility’s wiring. A certified thermographer will be able to detect issues with the wiring with little trouble, as the major warning sign for faulty wiring is excessive heat. During the electrical testing process, the inspector will most likely compare the faulty wire to other wires connected to similar machinery. This type of discovery can signal any number of problems. Regardless of the root of the problem, having electrical testing performed allows you to take quick action to solve the issue before it escalates.

MCC (or Motor Control Centers)

The different sections of an MCC may denote trouble, which could mean problems for your facility and its equipment. A thermographic inspector will be able to inspect each part of the MCC for any potential problems, which will display similar symptoms to the many others we described above.

Overall, the way infrared inspection works is very simple on the surface, but the positive effects are numerous. To learn more about how electrical thermography can help your facility, contact us!

It's important to seek infrared thermography to identify issues.

What to Consider When Seeking an Infrared Inspection

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Infrared inspection is a useful service.

Find out when you need infrared inspection service.

It's important to seek infrared thermography to identify issues.

Infrared thermography is a necessary service.

If you’ve spent considerable time on this website, you know the importance of infrared inspection for your business and have perhaps even made the decision to set up an inspection appointment for your facility. If you have, however, you don’t want to trust the job to just anyone! There are several noteworthy things you should consider before picking an infrared inspection service. To help you with this important maintenance procedure, here are a few tips on how to go about shopping around for an infrared inspection appointment.

How Much Experience and Training Do They Possess?

When you’re looking for an infrared inspection service to take care of your company, going with the least expensive option is the worst route to take. While this may work with your other shopping needs, when it comes to infrared thermography, you truly get what you pay for. You want only the highest level of service and the best quality procedures to ensure the inspection doesn’t miss any problems waiting in the wings within your equipment. Consider any extraordinarily cheap options you find to be a red flag above all else—something to be avoided because an inspection that is too cheap is the least likely to be as effective as possible. You absolutely don’t want to be told there are no problems with your equipment, only to have it malfunction and require serious repairs shortly after your infrared inspection is performed.

Because of this risk, it is best to ask the companies you’re considering about their level of certification. The more experienced the company is, the most effective inspection you can expect to receive. Try to get hard copies of any certifications they have, if possible.

What Types of Equipment Do They Use?

The best infrared thermography service will have staff members who not only are efficient with infrared procedures, but have the highest level equipment and know how to utilize it properly. Only then can you expect the most precise results possible from the inspection. With the best equipment, you’ll find the following traits: a user who is both skilled and experienced with the equipment, high-quality imagery within the equipment’s lens, the option to fine tune the equipment as needed throughout the inspection, field of view choices and a suitable amount of sensitivity in order to pick up on heat readings as easily and accurately as possible.

It is worth remembering brands don’t matter nearly as much when it comes to infrared inspection as it does the level of technology implemented within it. A piece of infrared equipment from one of the most well-known manufacturers can still be too problematic for proper usage. When you’re shopping around for the best service, be sure to ask about their infrared detection technology and its capabilities. Then you’ll know whether you have a great service to choose from.

We hope this article will help you pick the best quality infrared inspection service for your facility. At Infrared Consulting Services, we care about the well being of your facility and its equipment. Contact us to learn how we can help you!