Infrared
Surveys (IR)
Seeing as you have made it here, we feel there is little value in wasting your
time trying to convince you of the value of Infrared Surveys of your plant, you already
know that! The job of this site is to provide you with information on who we are and what
we offer in the areas of infrared surveys. You are keenly aware that asset reliability is
a major concern. To accomplish this reliability, Infrared Surveys offer you the ability to
look at your electrical and mechanical systems in a non-destructive way to keep unexpected
outages to an absolute minimum.
USA Industrial’s IR Service
It has been long known that long before a piece of electrical equipment fails, heat is
given off by the failing system; however, a little known fact by many individuals is that
mechanical systems also show temperature rises before they fail and they become excellent
candidates for IR inspections.
Working with you, discussing your particular equipment and manufacturing processes
together, we will determine what areas of your facility would best benefit from an IR
Survey.
We will arrive timely to your facility, complete the survey with absolute minimal
disturbance to your production, and return to you a written detailed report on what was
uncovered.
Frequently asked questions and points to keep in mind.
Q: Do I need to shut down my equipment to do this inspection?
A: Infrared inspections must be done with the equipment running, preferably
during it’s normal production cycles. Faulty electrical connections generate heat
based upon their load.
Q: Is a “hot spot” bad?
A: Simple question, but a bit of a complex answer:
By and large, yes. The determination of the cause of the hot spot is where the
Thermographer earns his or her money.
Sometimes, the hot spot is caused by a poor connection; sometimes, it is caused by too
much of a load being placed on one circuit, known as load imbalance. Whatever the cause,
the fact is---you are paying for it in your utility bills!
The real damage usually occurs in one of a few ways; one is by the arc that is caused when
the connections fail, melting the conductors, and whatever they were connected to. A
simple $100.00 contactor now has taken out adjacent equipment, causing collateral damage.
Fires can result, and without a doubt, an interruption in production occurs.
Q: Can Infrared see through panels?
A: No. That is why the panels must be opened by your electricians. We have seen
at times warm areas in covers over bus bars, perhaps indicating a problem inside, but one
must be absolutely sure there in not an outside source for the heat.
Q: We don't have "electricians." Can’t the Thermographer open the
panels?
A: Due to liability constraints, read insurance, we do not open your equipment.
Q: You said that mechanical equipment can be checked: tell me more.
A: The vast majority of IR Surveys are used for electrical systems; however,
there are a percentage of mechanical systems that can be checked using Infrared. The
infrared camera can be used on any equipment where a heat profile would provide
significant data. Some examples are:
• Electrical motor bearings and power match couplings;
• Refractory materials for boilers, kilns, ovens and furnaces;
• Heat exchangers, cooling coils, steam traps, piping and vessel
insulation;
• Building insulation, sometimes referred to as heat loss; and,
• Roof Inspections
We do, at times, employ Ultrasound in conjunction with our electrical inspections to help
isolate or diagnose a potential problem area.
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