Q: What is infrared?

A: Infrared energy is light that we cannot see with the naked eye, but our bodies can detect it as heat and it forms part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared energy is comprised of those frequencies that exist just below the red end of the visible spectrum.

Q Does a plant need to be running or switched of when performing thermal inspections.

A: The plant needs to be operational, preferably above 40%. The higher the load the more power is dissipated at faulty connections

Q: Can a thermal inspection be done through panel doors?

A: No. Panel doors need to be open to perform the thermal inspections. Due to liability and warranty constraints we prefer the client to have their own qualified electricians at hand when panels need to be opened

Q: Does new installations need to be inspected.

A: Yes. Poor installation or manufacturing is the cause of early failure of equipment. As equipment becomes older and degradation sets in, the probability increases.

Q: What is infrared thermography?

A: Infrared thermography is a non-contact method of identifying the thermal behavior of various plant equipment and machines, including their components, qualitatively via pattern recognition and quantitatively via statistical analysis.

Q: What is the difference between short and long wave IR?

A: Short-wave  infrared  is between 1.4μm and 3μm in wavelength. This is used in long-distance telecommunication as well as in medical thermography to detect cancer at an early stage
Long-wave infrared is between 8μm and15μm in wavelength. This is also known as the thermal imaging region in which sensors can obtain a passive picture based on thermal emissions only and requiring no external light or thermal source

Q: Can this IR be used as a Medical tool?

A: Yes, there are a large number of medical applications.
For medical IR shortwave imagers are used.

Q: Can one scanner be used for both industrial and medical use?

A: Normally not. The equipment is designed for a specific range of the infra-red spectrum. Shortwave, between 1.4μm and 3μm and longwave, between 8μm and 14μm.

Q: Can IR technology assist in the prevention of an Electrical Arc Flash, How?

A: Electrical Arc Flash is the rapid heating of the air and vaporization of the conductive metals. An Arc flash can be detected with ultraviolet equipment and not IR equipment.