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By Using
Infrared Thermography”
Abstract:
Infrared condition monitoring techniques offer an objective way of
monitoring technique used to remotely gather thermal information from any object or
use, it provides better imagery, faster analysis and uses software that allows reports to
be written easily. Prices are also continually dropping in order to predict the need for
maintenance. Thermography also has the ability to generate information that can be
processes for example, if we have even the slightest deviation from normal body
temperature we feel sick. In industry, we have plenty of examples too. All this
radiation around us can be imaged, measured and stored by an infrared system for
many Cases, these time-based tasks result in unnecessary work and wasted parts or
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materials, satisfactory preventive maintenance inspection can justify deferral or
expenditure.
Introduction:
All electrical components have a tendency to heat up as their physical
condition worsens or their electrical properties deteriorate. In 1965 the Swedish Power
Board began inspecting approximately 1,50,000 components a year. In 1986 the UK
Electrical Generation Board began utilizing infrared thermography for predictive
maintenance on transmission lines. However, thermography was revolutionized with the
introduction of image type thermovision cameras in the Nineties.
As this is a non –contact technique, it is safe and shutdown is not
required. It helps to record and documents the thermal characteristics of almost any
object that emits infrared radiation. Thermal images can quickly and easily locate
abnormal sources of heat, which in electrical systems often indicate potential problems.
Portable infrared cameras are used to convert this infrared radiation energy into high
resolution thermal images that are displayed on conventional video screens for
quantitative and qualitative analysis. Temperature is the single most measured parameter
for a condition monitoring exercise. Temperature is simply crucial and having control
over it will mean higher quality, better safety and money saved. Thermography spans
many subject areas like electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution
systems. An Infrared Camera is designed to detect this overheating and interpret it as
early warning signs of imminent failure.
Infrared energy:
Our environment contains many different forms of energy that are
propagated through space at the speed of light. These forms of energy are differentiated
as a function of their wavelength. Infrared radiation begins just above the visible light
spectrum and continues up to wave lengths of one thousand of a meter. Above infrared
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are radio waves. All objects above absolute zero in temperature emit infrared radiation
.This natural occurrence is caused by thermal agitation of the object’s molecules
.Because molecules are composed of electrical charges, the oscillations of the molecules
created radiation emitted by an object is directly related to its temperature. The Infrared
spectrum is divided In to four common regions. These are 0.75 to 2 micron referred to as
near infrared, 2 to 5 microns referred to as short wave Infrared, 8 to 14 microns referred
to as long wave Infrared. Radiation in the 5 to 8 micron range is almost completely
absorbed by the atmosphere. Infrared Thermography spans many subject areas like
electrical power generation, transmission, and distribution systems and various fields like
mechanical and medicine fields as follows:
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difference between what an object absorbs and emits Exitant radiation is all the radiated
energy that leaves the surface of an object regardless of its original sources:
1. Emitted, from the object itself
2. Reflected from a source in front of the object
3. Transmitted, from a source behind the object
The target fig -2 has a temperature and an emissivity, which the power of the radiation
coming from the target depends upon the radiation power of the other two radiation
component does not depend on the target temperature, but on the temperature and
emissivity of the reflection and the transmission heat sources, respectively.
How is A Visual Light is Image Created From Infrared energy ?
An infrared imaging device contains one or more detectors that convert energy
in the infrared spectrum into an electrical signal. The more energy detected the greater
the electrical signal output. The electrical signals are typically formatted into a video
signal and displayed on a CRT/LCD. The amplitudes of the electrical signals are then
displayed as varying intensities on the CRT/LCD thus creating a contrast in the image in
different pallets such as Grey, Iron and Rainbow etc. depending upon the applications,
In thermography, there are many factors apart from the surface temperature of
the object s that affect and disturb the temperature measurements for accurate
temperature measurements it is crucial to know which those factors are, and how the
equipment compensates for them. Before the measured radiation can be transformed into
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temperature all other radiation sources have to be compensated for by the equipment so
that the measured temperature is a function of the object temperature and not of the
distance, emissivity or the internal equipment temperature.
If any if the Electrical components deteriorate there is an increase in resistance
to the flow of electrical current. With increase in resistance comes the increase in radiant
energy output as the component gets heated a thermal imaging system detects this radiant
energy. In case of an overloading conductor or imbalance in a three phase system the
more current flowing through the line the greater the temperature of that line and the
brighter the thermal pattern appears.
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Thermal Gradient - It is a gradual change in temperature over distance. It
Indicates presence of conductive heat transfer which is the only mode in opaque solids.
Thermal Tuning: It means adjusting the scale of the image in order to optimize
contrast. For this level and span controls of the camera are used
Isotherm: It replaces certain colors in the scale with a contrasting color. It marks an
interval of equal apparent temperature. The feature is used to find out if there is any
heat floe e.g. thermal gradient.
Palettes: The color palettes of the image assigns different colors to mark specific
levels of apparent temperature they can give more or less contrast depending on the
colors used in them for electrical installation, generally an iron palette is used which is a
low contrast palette.
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Calibration: - The calibration of the camera is performed in a lab under
controlled environmental conditions with a large number of black body reference sources
within emissivity approaching 1.0.
Spatial resolution and target size:- Ideal equipment would of course
measure the same object temperature even when looking at an object that is very small
compared to the whole field of view. Relation between Field Of View and Distance (240
Lens)
Loose/deteriorated connections
Overloads
Imbalanced Loads
Open Circuits
Improperly Closed Inductive Heating
Air Switch Harmonics
Defective Equipment
Benefits:
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Load Imbalance drastically reduce costly, unscheduled
on Bus Duct power outages
minimize preventive maintenance time and
maximize troubleshooting effectiveness
prevent premature failure and extend
equipment life
Mechanical Systems
Overheated
Shaft Bearing
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What Can Be Detected:
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Electrical equipment is inspected during operation, so the power doesn’t have to
be interrupted.
Reduced inspection costs as large quantities of equipment can be scanned in a
short period of times finding the trouble spot quickly, saving labour time and money
over regular trouble shooting.
Faults can be pinpointed before maintenance is carried out, so maintenance
resources are directed where they are most needed and prioritized, resulting in significant
labour and cost savings.
Infrared Program :
The interest in this technology is that it promises major advances for infrared focal plane
arrays:
QWIPs are tunable and can be made responsive from about 3 to 25 microns, can
be made for broad band and dual band applications.
Education: The very first step is to find out some more about the products and
technology that are available and how they can be used.
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Request product data sheets and application literature from equipment vendors
Browse the internet. This is a little time consuming, but there is a wealth of
information on the web.
Contract in an independent consultant to assist in the assessment and education
process.
Hire an experienced infrared service company and learn from their employees
while they are performing an inspection in the field.
Conclusion:
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impending problems that could have led to catastrophic failure and unscheduled outages.
The increased sensitivity of newer designs rejection of unwanted reflections
.improvements of specific point resolution and in depth training have contributed to
“Infrared Imaging as an Effective Condition Monitoring System ”.
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