Thermography and Thermal Imaging Perth, WA. Avid Group

Thermography / Thermal Imaging

AVID’s Scanning and Thermographic Testing of Electrical Equipment (Thermal Imaging) is a proactive approach rather than a reactive one.

Thermography is a test method that can be used to detect poor electrical connections, unbalanced loads across phases, deteriorated insulation on cables, or other potential problems in energized electrical/mechanical components and switchboards. These problems will lead to excess power consumption/use, increased maintenance costs, or catastrophic equipment failure resulting in unscheduled service interruptions or equipment damage. Utilising AVID’s Thermographic inspection capabilities based in Perth can help Identify serious issues on site before they cause any loss of productivity or downtime.

In addition, AVID’s electrical thermography is key to the employees of your organisation that look after your electrical equipment. Electrical safety is paramount to all organisations. AVID’s electrical maintenance division endeavours to continuously keep track of your equipment and assets through thermal imaging and our latest asset software tracking system. AVID employees will periodically investigate your assets by thermographing every piece of equipment and then notify the business of any changes or not through our reporting system.

How Does Thermography (Thermal Imaging) Work?

Thermography, also called infrared thermography inspection or just infrared inspection, is based upon the sensing of heat emitted from the surface of an object in the form of infrared radiation. Electrical scanning equipment is used to detect and convert the infrared radiation into a thermal image, which can be used to assess the thermal condition of the object at the time of measurement. At AVID, we normally use FLIR infrared cameras (Forward Looking Infra-Red) for electrical scanning and thermal imaging purposes.

How Can Thermography Be Used to Inspect Electrical Equipment?

Normal energized electrical systems generate heat because of electrical resistance (ohms law). The amount of heat generated is related to the amount of current flowing through the system and the resistance of the individual system components and connections within the system. As components deteriorate slowly over time, their resistance increases, causing a localized increase in heat. Similarly, a poorly made connection will have a higher resistance than a well-made connection, resulting in a higher temperature profile. Thermography is utilised to produce thermal images that detect these temperature differences. The more resistance the more heat is produced and the brighter the Infrared thermography image.

What Are the Benefits of AVID’s Thermographic Inspections?

The NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) estimates that 10% of the fires occurring in manufacturing are related to electrical system failures. Additionally, failures can cause employees to be exposed to live electrical circuits, making them vulnerable to serious injury from electrocution. By detecting high-resistance connections through thermal imaging and repairing them, the likelihood of an insulation breakdown is dramatically reduced wich, in turn, reduces insulation fire hazards.

Other advantages to detecting and repairing these electrical and mechanical faults are the cost savings from lower power consumption, fewer power outages and lower repair costs. High resistance in circuits normally will cause an increase in current flow. When current flow is increased, the results will be higher power consumption without the business even knowing. Further, high current draw can cause critical electrical circuit components, such as fuses, circuit breakers, and transformers, to fail prematurely. These failures result in higher maintenance and repair costs and ultimately shows up as reduced profit.

Who May Perform Thermographic Inspections?

AVID’s thermo-graphic division based in Perth can assist in performing regular thermographic inspections on site. Because thermo-graphic imaging equipment can be complex, persons performing evaluations require special training. In addition, there is a potential for exposure to “live” electrical components. Our employees have years of expertise in this area.

Our employees during inspections shall at all times wear protective equipment for the eyes or face wherever there is the danger of injury to the eyes or face from electric arcs or flashes or from flying objects resulting from electrical explosion. If you are interested in more information, please look at AS 3998- 2006, Non-destructive testing paper.

Furthermore, Article 130 of NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace, provides details on the level of protection required based on the arc flash potential present.

When is AVID’s Thermographic Scan Needed for your business?

While all properties can benefit from thermal imaging, those with high power consumption, multiple branch circuits and distribution subsystems, or heavy equipment have the greatest need. Businesses with high electrical demands should have a thermographic scan performed at least annually on critical systems, such as switchboards, switchgear and transformers. Based on the scan results, a schedule to rescan should be based on the types of equipment, power consumption, and age of the electrical systems. AVID qualified electrician can assist the property owner in determining what and how often to conduct scans.

NFPA 70B, Recommended Practice for Electrical Equipment Maintenance, published by the NFPA, provides a listing of maintenance and equipment testing intervals in Annex L. In addition to these recommended intervals, some conditions and circumstances may specifically warrant a thermographic scan. These include:

Power Systems and Equipment

Power systems having electrical services greater than 110 volts.
Step-up or step-down power transformers on site.
Power transfer circuits, such as switchgear and relays.
Modifications to electrical panels, power control boxes, and sub-distribution boards.
Buildings with electrical wiring and joints.
Motor starter circuits.
High torque and heavy current draw motors.
Presence of high output lighting equipment, such as mercury vapour lamps.
Use of uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).