This article highlights three methods for covering thermal inspection situations using Fluke thermal imaging cameras: Baseline thermography; Thermal trending thermography; and Comparative thermography.
Fluke thermal inspection instruments are available in South Africa from Comtest.
While there are no universal solutions for infrared inspections with a thermal camera or imager, the method needs to match the type of equipment being inspecting and the level of detail required: These are: 1 Baseline thermography; 2 Thermal trending thermography; and 3 Comparative thermography.
1. Baseline thermography
Baseline thermography is an excellent place to start for just about any application. First, one can scan the equipment when it is first commissioned or later in the lifecycle when it is working the way it should be, and then use that as a reference point for future inspections. Whether comparing the thermal images on the camera in the field or on a PC using software tools, this baseline approach paves the way to helping to spot anomalies down the road.
2. Thermal trending thermography
Once you have set a baseline, the thermal trending inspections can be used to compare how temperature is distributed in the same components over time. This can help detect declining performance over time so that downtime maintenance can be schedule before the equipment forces it to be scheduled.
3. Comparative thermography
As you might expect, similar components can be scanned with a thermal camera under similar conditions and the results compared. This method relies on the idea that similar or identical components under similar loads have similar temperature profiles. Once scans of three or more components have been collected, picking up an anomaly is relatively easy. There is one more level of complexity to consider, however! Depending on the components being compared, the actual temperature difference that can be viewed as an anomaly will vary.
To find out more about FLUKE’s Three ways to conduct thermal inspections, click here.
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