Saturday, May 3, 2014

What Is Electrical Infrared Inspection?

By Eloise Hewitt


Also known as IR, it uses a frequency of light that is not visible to the human eye and is used to detect heat given from artificial or natural objects. The technology is commonly used to view images that cannot be seen with normal light. This technology is capable of detecting changes in human cells to detecting heat given off of electrical circuits. An electrical infrared inspection typically involves the use of a specialized microscope viewing device that shows images in the spectrum of infrared.

Electricians can inspect the electrical elements of a home or building under normal loads to identify abnormally hot or cold areas inside the walls. When it comes to homes and commercial buildings, the least invasive path is preferred, and IRs can be one of the most powerful preventative maintenance tools available in the market. In other circumstances, a period of increased heat can be a sign of equipment or component failure.

When connections, components, or circuits overheat, electricians can use IR thermography to identify these elements. Professional electricians using IRs can schedule appropriate repairs and preventative maintenance during downtimes. Professionals can use IRs to increase productivity, reliability, and safety for anybody involved.

Homeowners, business owners, and professionals experience significant cost savings when using IR technology. When professionals use the technology, there are fewer interruptions which can increase uptime for commercial buildings or keep the power on in residential homes during examinations. This technology lets professionals fix issues before they happen as well as prevent harm, further damages, and unnecessary emergencies.

Industrial complexes might use the technology so that professionals can spot mechanical problems and keep the complex running safely during the inspection for other employees. High electrical loads are commonplace when it comes to homes and commercial owners, if not in safe propensities, these loads can cause a long list of dangerous failures such as fires, damages to equipment, and meltdowns.

Electric circuitry and its components have a tendency to start fires when not properly maintained. Fires are commonly caused when circuits or their components are overheated. When it comes to commercial or residential buildings, faulty wiring is the number one reason for fires. Overloaded components, bad designs, and faulty wiring can be detected through the use of IRs. Critical components in electric designs can overheat through overlooked bad connections.

Quality results are best obtained by IR inspections. After a while, the wires in any building will deteriorate. Lack of maintenance, substandard equipment and supplies, bad connections, and faulty designs are main reasons for wiring going bad. Sometimes the thermal housing for the wires will melt and will start a nasty fire, it is important to find these hot spots before they spiral out of control.

Under normal operation loads, equipment tests can be performed. The technology is noninvasive and does not require any break down of structural parts. One of the greatest benefits of this type of inspection is that it does not require a building to shut down its power. Electricians can use IRs to detect thermal insulation quality, abnormal frictions, spikes in temperature, etc. By using IR technology, potential panic times, fires, and damages to equipment can be successfully avoided. Whether you own a home or a commercial building, it is imperative to get an IR inspection, at least yearly. You can avoid any potential dangerous situations in the future by doing so.




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