The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hired a videographer certified by FLIR in Optical Gas Imaging to detect gas emissions (such as methane, benzene and toluene) from oil and gas industry facilities. The study found 11 of 15 sites emitting toxic, hydrocarbon gases. This youtube video illustrates an earlier model of a FLIR GasFindIR camera at work.

IRIS’ high voltage specialists are trained and certified in multiple disciplines of predictive maintenance technologies to ensure every effort is made to capture a clear and concise report of the condition of your high voltage equipment. IRIS high voltage services include infrared services, predictive and preventative maintenance and testing of transformers, substations, high/low voltage switchgear and breaker maintenance.

Whether performing complete shut down maintenance or local isolation, high voltage preventative maintenance is a necessity in order to monitor the condition of the oil in transformers, indications of cellular insulation breakdown, the condition of your main breakers, and to clean away any airborne contaminants that can cause flash over hazards.

IRIS also offers arc flash hazard analysis, arc flash hazard labeling, single line drawing, electrical safety program and compliance assessments, personal protective equipment plans and arc flash safety training programs.

Infrared can not detect the presence of corona discharge, however, which is produced when there is ionization of air molecules due to an electrical discharge. Corona does not generate heat but generates a distinct airborne ultrasonic signal which can be detected by ultrasound.Two technologies used together to give a more comprehensive coverage.

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, predictive maintenance technique that can be used to monitor the thermal signatures of plant machinery and electrical apparatus and building systems without disrupting normal operations.

Infrared thermographers use cameras designed to monitor the emissions of infrared energy. These infrared cameras detect electromagnetic energy from an object in the form of heat and convert it into a video signal that produces a color image that can be stored for further detailed analysis.

Thermography can be applied to any situation in which an anomaly or condition can display itself by means of a thermal variance. This predictive technique can be used to inspect electrical apparatus, high voltage substations, utility line distribution, roof moisture, refractory systems, mechanical systems and building envelope,ramp heat systems, heat trace cables, pipe and steam traps and more. We perform our inspections with the "FLIR" S(P)660, professional performance, high resolution, handheld thermal and digital imaging systems.

Regular thermographic inspections can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope related systems, saving your facility from the expense and inconvenience of significant or catastrophic equipment failure.

Infrared cameras have come a very long way over the past few years and the latest infrared imagers with 640x480 resolution are 16x more detailed and accurate than the previous models with 320 x 240 resolution. In this resolution comparison conducted by ITC trainers, results show significant improvement in detecting anomalies with the higher resolution cameras.

Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and travels at the speed of light. It can be reflected, refracted and focused. Infrared radiation can be emitted by an object with a temperature above absolute zero (-273.16 centigrade.) The basis of infrared thermography is quite simple; all objects emit heat or electromagnetic energy but only a fraction of this energy is visible to the naked eye. Radiation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum is often categorized by wavelength or discrete packets known as photons. Short wavelength is the highest energy and can be quite destructive. Ultraviolet, gamma and x-ray are types of short wavelength radiation. Longer wavelength radiation, such as infrared, radio and microwave, is of lower energy and is less destructive.

Although infrared radiation is not visible, we can sense its characteristics from the heat generated. A fine example of this is when you turn on your stove element to high and place your hand above the element, you can feel heat rising from the element yet there is no visible changes to the element. Seconds later the element emits a reddish glow. What's happening is that the electromagnetic spectrum is moving from infrared to visible wavelength.

Many industrial, high-rise and commercial fires are caused by faulty electrical components, which result in costly downtime, lost production, equipment replacement costs, injury or, at worst, loss of human life.

Infrared thermography provides non-destructive detection of potential "hot spots" and allows for planned monitoring of electrical apparatus and scheduling for preventive maintenance repairs before catastrophic failure occurs.

This non-invasive technology can be used on transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers, switchgear, fused disconnect switches, motor starters, control panels and various other types of electrical apparatus. All of these have one thing in common, they usually do not fail quickly or without warning.

They fail over time and generate heat through infrared radiation. Our technicians are able to detect this heat radiation with the latest infrared imaging equipment from FLIR. The (S)P660 Infrared Imager from FLIR has a sensitivity > 45 mK and accuracy > +/- 1%, and over 4 times the detail of cameras with 320 x 240 IR resolution.

A scan is conducted throughout your facility on all electrical and mechanical apparatus. Reference images are taken to provide examples of equipment operating at normal efficiency levels and to point out any thermal anomalies.

We then generate a report in digital and hard copy to provide your electrician a clear picture of the equipment requiring attention or repair.

With building and energy costs rising it is becoming increasingly important, if not mandatory, to assess building conditions invisible to the naked eye.

Infrared thermographic inspection is a powerful and non invasive means of monitoring and diagnosing the overall condition of buildings.

Utilizing state-of-the- art technology we can evaluate thermal variances in compressed insulation, moisture accumulation in building materials, infiltration and exfiltration through windows and doors, leaks in floor heating systems and many other applications directly related to the building envelope.

Energy conservation and LEED certification are increasingly important to building and facility managers and real estate investors/developers. For quality control purposes, many architects and developers and engineering consultants are specifying post-construction infrared testing to confirm the quality of workmanship and building materials. Whether for a full building commissioning or basic acceptance testing, using infrared thermography to scan the building envelope and roofing systems helps to evaluate the new building's performance. In planning for retrofit and restoration or re-commissioning projects, infrared thermography helps us to fully understand how buildings operate under extreme conditions so that we can reduce heating and cooling costs and increase overall energy efficiency.

Building envelope assessments are best conducted when the temperature is well below freezing and there is no precipitation. Therefore it is important to schedule your assessment a week or two in advance so that our technician can choose the optimal evening to provide the most accurate readings.

IRIS inspectors use the latest high definition infrared imaging equipment to investigate, heat/cooling exfiltration, and/or moisture and compile the information into a comprehensive report to help you pinpoint repairs that are required.

A building's roof is often it's most costly asset to replace. Savvy building and facility managers are increasingly aware of the cost/benefit associated with predicting roof repairs, and insurance companies are taking notice of this technology to assess the risk involved when insuring a building.

Roof moisture surveys complement visual inspections since it is virtually impossible to determine the extent of wet insulation visually. Our high-definition infrared cameras sense the temperature of the surface of the roof with accuracy of +/- 1 degree.

Wet insulation changes the ability of the roofing system to store and conduct thermal energy, thereby causing changes in the temperature of the surface, which the infrared imager can detect. 

It increases heating and cooling cost because it decreases the thermal efficiency of the insulation and adds unwanted loads to a building system. A typical BUR (built up roof) has a life expectancy of 16-20 years. This can easily be extended by 10 years reducing the life cycle costs if a predictive maintenance program (PdM) is established.

Thermography will identify saturated insulation caused by shoddy workmanship, low grade materials, design flaws and non existent maintenance. This inspection should be conducted 6-10 months after construction and periodically thereafter to detect inevitable flaws while problems are still small. Flat roof replacement cost are in the area of $7.00 - $9.00 sq/ft, compared to pennies per sq/ft it costs to thermally inspect the roof on a routine basis.

IRIS thermographers are trained in roofing materials, processes, management and inspection and provide complete roof inspections including marking off anomalies on the roof, verifying moisture with a moisture meter and providing core cut samples if requested.

AERIAL INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY

An infrared thermography program using appropriate equipment and properly trained thermographers can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope systems. Ultrasound inspection is a valuable tool for predictive and preventive maintenance, energy management and quality control. The way in which ultrasound is used in preventive maintenance is relatively simple. Ultrasonic detectors are sensitive to sound beyond the limits of normal human hearing (20 Hz – 20,000 Hz)., and therefore can "hear" faults in rotating machinery, electrical distribution systems, and leaks in vacuum and pressurized systems.

In electrical applications, airborne ultrasound can detect corona which exists above 1 kV and does not generate any heat. Infrared, therefore, can not find the existence of corona which if left unattended will further develop into tracking and arcing situations. Ultrasound analysis provides a more comprehensive electrical inspection when used with infrared to identify corona, tracking, arcing, and resistance problems in any electrical equipment.

An ultrasonic detector senses small changes in the ultrasonic signature of a component and accurately pinpoints potential sources of failure before they cause severe damage to the components. Ultrasonic translators provide information in two ways: "qualitatively," through their ability to detect ultrasound and convey it through a noise isolating headphone, and "quantitatively" through visual and incremental readings on a meter.

Airborne Ultrasound detection is a useful tool for conducting Compressed Air Leak Surveys, Gas Leak Detection, Steam Traps Surveys, Bearing Condition Monitoring, Electrical Inspections, Bearing Lubrication, and Unpressurized Leak Detection.

IRIS is now a proud distributor of UE Systems Ultrasound detectors. To schedule a demo please call Tracy at 1-877-526-4747.

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hired a videographer certified by FLIR in Optical Gas Imaging to detect gas emissions (such as methane, benzene and toluene) from oil and gas industry facilities. The study found 11 of 15 sites emitting toxic, hydrocarbon gases. This youtube video illustrates an earlier model of a FLIR GasFindIR camera at work.

IRIS’ high voltage specialists are trained and certified in multiple disciplines of predictive maintenance technologies to ensure every effort is made to capture a clear and concise report of the condition of your high voltage equipment. IRIS high voltage services include infrared services, predictive and preventative maintenance and testing of transformers, substations, high/low voltage switchgear and breaker maintenance.

Whether performing complete shut down maintenance or local isolation, high voltage preventative maintenance is a necessity in order to monitor the condition of the oil in transformers, indications of cellular insulation breakdown, the condition of your main breakers, and to clean away any airborne contaminants that can cause flash over hazards.

IRIS also offers arc flash hazard analysis, arc flash hazard labeling, single line drawing, electrical safety program and compliance assessments, personal protective equipment plans and arc flash safety training programs.

Infrared can not detect the presence of corona discharge, however, which is produced when there is ionization of air molecules due to an electrical discharge. Corona does not generate heat but generates a distinct airborne ultrasonic signal which can be detected by ultrasound.Two technologies used together to give a more comprehensive coverage.

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, predictive maintenance technique that can be used to monitor the thermal signatures of plant machinery and electrical apparatus and building systems without disrupting normal operations.

Infrared thermographers use cameras designed to monitor the emissions of infrared energy. These infrared cameras detect electromagnetic energy from an object in the form of heat and convert it into a video signal that produces a color image that can be stored for further detailed analysis.

Thermography can be applied to any situation in which an anomaly or condition can display itself by means of a thermal variance. This predictive technique can be used to inspect electrical apparatus, high voltage substations, utility line distribution, roof moisture, refractory systems, mechanical systems and building envelope,ramp heat systems, heat trace cables, pipe and steam traps and more. We perform our inspections with the "FLIR" S(P)660, professional performance, high resolution, handheld thermal and digital imaging systems.

Regular thermographic inspections can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope related systems, saving your facility from the expense and inconvenience of significant or catastrophic equipment failure.

Infrared cameras have come a very long way over the past few years and the latest infrared imagers with 640x480 resolution are 16x more detailed and accurate than the previous models with 320 x 240 resolution. In this resolution comparison conducted by ITC trainers, results show significant improvement in detecting anomalies with the higher resolution cameras.

Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and travels at the speed of light. It can be reflected, refracted and focused. Infrared radiation can be emitted by an object with a temperature above absolute zero (-273.16 centigrade.) The basis of infrared thermography is quite simple; all objects emit heat or electromagnetic energy but only a fraction of this energy is visible to the naked eye. Radiation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum is often categorized by wavelength or discrete packets known as photons. Short wavelength is the highest energy and can be quite destructive. Ultraviolet, gamma and x-ray are types of short wavelength radiation. Longer wavelength radiation, such as infrared, radio and microwave, is of lower energy and is less destructive.

Although infrared radiation is not visible, we can sense its characteristics from the heat generated. A fine example of this is when you turn on your stove element to high and place your hand above the element, you can feel heat rising from the element yet there is no visible changes to the element. Seconds later the element emits a reddish glow. What's happening is that the electromagnetic spectrum is moving from infrared to visible wavelength.

• Benzene
• Butane
• Ethane
• Ethylbenzene
• Ethelyne
• Hapetane
• Hexane
• Isoprene
• MEK
• Methane
• Methanol
• MBK
• Octane
• Pentane
• 1-Pentane
• Propane
• Propylene
• Toluene
• Xylene

Many industrial, high-rise and commercial fires are caused by faulty electrical components, which result in costly downtime, lost production, equipment replacement costs, injury or, at worst, loss of human life.

Infrared thermography provides non-destructive detection of potential "hot spots" and allows for planned monitoring of electrical apparatus and scheduling for preventive maintenance repairs before catastrophic failure occurs.

This non-invasive technology can be used on transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers, switchgear, fused disconnect switches, motor starters, control panels and various other types of electrical apparatus. All of these have one thing in common, they usually do not fail quickly or without warning.

They fail over time and generate heat through infrared radiation. Our technicians are able to detect this heat radiation with the latest infrared imaging equipment from FLIR. The (S)P660 Infrared Imager from FLIR has a sensitivity > 45 mK and accuracy > +/- 1%, and over 4 times the detail of cameras with 320 x 240 IR resolution.

A scan is conducted throughout your facility on all electrical and mechanical apparatus. Reference images are taken to provide examples of equipment operating at normal efficiency levels and to point out any thermal anomalies.

We then generate a report in digital and hard copy to provide your electrician a clear picture of the equipment requiring attention or repair.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mechanical systems produce heat as friction increases and efficiency is lost. Most mechanical applications using thermography usually involve rotating equipment.

Excessive heat can be generated by friction caused by faulty bearings, raceways, lubrication (too little or too much), misalignment, and normal wear.

  

Typical mechanical applications include air compressors, V-belts, motors, gear boxes, couplings, and conveyors. Once thermography has determined that there is a thermal variance the thermal imager will convert the infrared energy into a real time full color display. These images are calibrated for accurate temperature measurements, providing the ability to determine the relative severity of the mechanical thermal signature being viewed.

After determining that there is a thermal variance then other technologies such as vibration analysis can be used providing fault assessment and prioritize repair recommendations.

Steelmaking industries, like other process industries, generally benefit from electrical/mechanical thermography inspections. Infrared inspection of various refractory lined vessels is a very cost effective process.

The condition of refractory lining is extremely critical to vessel integrity and the safety of various high temperature applications such as boilers, furnaces, dryers, process vessels, rotating kilns, off gas ducting and cyclones.Some of the anomalies that can be detected are refractory wear, refractory loss, blockages and sintering. Using infrared thermography to monitor the integrity of these vessels can save a plant millions of dollars in downtime and, most importantly, protect workers from serious injuries should a break out occur.

In a process furnace inspection, infrared is used to inspect heater tubes for carbon build-up. This effect of this buildup is known as coking, which eventually leads to higher furnace firing rates and increases tube temperature, resulting in reduced tube life.

An infrared thermography program using appropriate equipment and properly trained thermographers can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope systems. Ultrasound inspection is a valuable tool for predictive and preventive maintenance, energy management and quality control. The way in which ultrasound is used in preventive maintenance is relatively simple. Ultrasonic detectors are sensitive to sound beyond the limits of normal human hearing (20 Hz – 20,000 Hz)., and therefore can "hear" faults in rotating machinery, electrical distribution systems, and leaks in vacuum and pressurized systems.

In electrical applications, airborne ultrasound can detect corona which exists above 1 kV and does not generate any heat. Infrared, therefore, can not find the existence of corona which if left unattended will further develop into tracking and arcing situations. Ultrasound analysis provides a more comprehensive electrical inspection when used with infrared to identify corona, tracking, arcing, and resistance problems in any electrical equipment.

An ultrasonic detector senses small changes in the ultrasonic signature of a component and accurately pinpoints potential sources of failure before they cause severe damage to the components. Ultrasonic translators provide information in two ways: "qualitatively," through their ability to detect ultrasound and convey it through a noise isolating headphone, and "quantitatively" through visual and incremental readings on a meter.

Airborne Ultrasound detection is a useful tool for conducting Compressed Air Leak Surveys, Gas Leak Detection, Steam Traps Surveys, Bearing Condition Monitoring, Electrical Inspections, Bearing Lubrication, and Unpressurized Leak Detection.

IRIS is now a proud distributor of UE Systems Ultrasound detectors. To schedule a demo please call Tracy at 1-877-526-4747.

Vibration analysis is a technique that uses the noise or vibration created by rotating mechanical equipment to determine its actual condition. Monitoring the vibration from plant machinery can provide a direct correlation between the mechanical condition and recorded vibration data of each machine in the plant. If applied properly, vibration analysis can identify specific degrading machine components before serious failures occur.

Most vibration-based predictive maintenance programs rely on one or more monitoring techniques. These include broadband trending, narrowband trending, or signature analysis. Periodic vibration analysis of rotating equipment can minimize machine failure due to faulty bearings, misalignment, bent shafts, mechanical looseness, gear wear, unbalance, resonance and many other machine faults. InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. uses the DLI Watchman "DCX", a superior, high performance, four channel, portable data collector. This system also analyses motor current and plane balancing, and is suited for demanding environments that require fast, accurate, data collection.

In simplest form, vibration can be considered to be the oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position is the position the object will attain when the force acting on it is zero. This type of vibration is called "whole body motion", meaning that all the parts of the body are moving together in the same direction at any point in time.

The vibratory motion of a whole body can be described as a combination of six separate motions: the three orthogonal directions x, y, and z, and rotation around the x, y, and z axes. Any complex motion of a body can be broken down into a combination of these six motions. Such a body is therefore said to possess six degrees of freedom. The vibration of an object is always caused by an excitation force.

The excitation force may be externally applied to the object, or it may originate inside the object. It will be seen that the rate (frequency) and magnitude of the vibration of an object is completely determined by the excitation force, direction, and frequency. This is the reason why vibration analysis can determine the excitation forces at work in a machine.

These forces are dependent upon the machine’s condition, and knowledge of its characteristics and interactions allows the IRIS inspectors to diagnose a machine’s problem.

Download a free poster

The Chesapeake Bay Foundation hired a videographer certified by FLIR in Optical Gas Imaging to detect gas emissions (such as methane, benzene and toluene) from oil and gas industry facilities. The study found 11 of 15 sites emitting toxic, hydrocarbon gases. This youtube video illustrates an earlier model of a FLIR GasFindIR camera at work.

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, predictive maintenance technique that can be used to monitor the thermal signatures of plant machinery and electrical apparatus and building systems without disrupting normal operations.

Infrared thermographers use cameras designed to monitor the emissions of infrared energy. These infrared cameras detect electromagnetic energy from an object in the form of heat and convert it into a video signal that produces a color image that can be stored for further detailed analysis.

Thermography can be applied to any situation in which an anomaly or condition can display itself by means of a thermal variance. This predictive technique can be used to inspect electrical apparatus, high voltage substations, utility line distribution, roof moisture, refractory systems, mechanical systems and building envelope,ramp heat systems, heat trace cables, pipe and steam traps and more. We perform our inspections with the "FLIR" S(P)660, professional performance, high resolution, handheld thermal and digital imaging systems.

Regular thermographic inspections can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope related systems, saving your facility from the expense and inconvenience of significant or catastrophic equipment failure.

Infrared cameras have come a very long way over the past few years and the latest infrared imagers with 640x480 resolution are 16x more detailed and accurate than the previous models with 320 x 240 resolution. In this resolution comparison conducted by ITC trainers, results show significant improvement in detecting anomalies with the higher resolution cameras.

Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and travels at the speed of light. It can be reflected, refracted and focused. Infrared radiation can be emitted by an object with a temperature above absolute zero (-273.16 centigrade.) The basis of infrared thermography is quite simple; all objects emit heat or electromagnetic energy but only a fraction of this energy is visible to the naked eye. Radiation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum is often categorized by wavelength or discrete packets known as photons. Short wavelength is the highest energy and can be quite destructive. Ultraviolet, gamma and x-ray are types of short wavelength radiation. Longer wavelength radiation, such as infrared, radio and microwave, is of lower energy and is less destructive.

Although infrared radiation is not visible, we can sense its characteristics from the heat generated. A fine example of this is when you turn on your stove element to high and place your hand above the element, you can feel heat rising from the element yet there is no visible changes to the element. Seconds later the element emits a reddish glow. What's happening is that the electromagnetic spectrum is moving from infrared to visible wavelength.

Many industrial, high-rise and commercial fires are caused by faulty electrical components, which result in costly downtime, lost production, equipment replacement costs, injury or, at worst, loss of human life.

Infrared thermography provides non-destructive detection of potential "hot spots" and allows for planned monitoring of electrical apparatus and scheduling for preventive maintenance repairs before catastrophic failure occurs.

This non-invasive technology can be used on transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers, switchgear, fused disconnect switches, motor starters, control panels and various other types of electrical apparatus. All of these have one thing in common, they usually do not fail quickly or without warning.

They fail over time and generate heat through infrared radiation. Our technicians are able to detect this heat radiation with the latest infrared imaging equipment from FLIR. The (S)P660 Infrared Imager from FLIR has a sensitivity > 45 mK and accuracy > +/- 1%, and over 4 times the detail of cameras with 320 x 240 IR resolution.

A scan is conducted throughout your facility on all electrical and mechanical apparatus. Reference images are taken to provide examples of equipment operating at normal efficiency levels and to point out any thermal anomalies.

We then generate a report in digital and hard copy to provide your electrician a clear picture of the equipment requiring attention or repair.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Mechanical systems produce heat as friction increases and efficiency is lost. Most mechanical applications using thermography usually involve rotating equipment.

Excessive heat can be generated by friction caused by faulty bearings, raceways, lubrication (too little or too much), misalignment, and normal wear.

  

Typical mechanical applications include air compressors, V-belts, motors, gear boxes, couplings, and conveyors. Once thermography has determined that there is a thermal variance the thermal imager will convert the infrared energy into a real time full color display. These images are calibrated for accurate temperature measurements, providing the ability to determine the relative severity of the mechanical thermal signature being viewed.

After determining that there is a thermal variance then other technologies such as vibration analysis can be used providing fault assessment and prioritize repair recommendations.

Vibration analysis is a technique that uses the noise or vibration created by rotating mechanical equipment to determine its actual condition. Monitoring the vibration from plant machinery can provide a direct correlation between the mechanical condition and recorded vibration data of each machine in the plant. If applied properly, vibration analysis can identify specific degrading machine components before serious failures occur.

Most vibration-based predictive maintenance programs rely on one or more monitoring techniques. These include broadband trending, narrowband trending, or signature analysis. Periodic vibration analysis of rotating equipment can minimize machine failure due to faulty bearings, misalignment, bent shafts, mechanical looseness, gear wear, unbalance, resonance and many other machine faults. InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. uses the DLI Watchman "DCX", a superior, high performance, four channel, portable data collector. This system also analyses motor current and plane balancing, and is suited for demanding environments that require fast, accurate, data collection.

In simplest form, vibration can be considered to be the oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position is the position the object will attain when the force acting on it is zero. This type of vibration is called "whole body motion", meaning that all the parts of the body are moving together in the same direction at any point in time.

The vibratory motion of a whole body can be described as a combination of six separate motions: the three orthogonal directions x, y, and z, and rotation around the x, y, and z axes. Any complex motion of a body can be broken down into a combination of these six motions. Such a body is therefore said to possess six degrees of freedom. The vibration of an object is always caused by an excitation force.

The excitation force may be externally applied to the object, or it may originate inside the object. It will be seen that the rate (frequency) and magnitude of the vibration of an object is completely determined by the excitation force, direction, and frequency. This is the reason why vibration analysis can determine the excitation forces at work in a machine.

These forces are dependent upon the machine’s condition, and knowledge of its characteristics and interactions allows the IRIS inspectors to diagnose a machine’s problem.

Download a free poster

IRIS’ high voltage specialists are trained and certified in multiple disciplines of predictive maintenance technologies to ensure every effort is made to capture a clear and concise report of the condition of your high voltage equipment. IRIS high voltage services include infrared services, predictive and preventative maintenance and testing of transformers, substations, high/low voltage switchgear and breaker maintenance.

Whether performing complete shut down maintenance or local isolation, high voltage preventative maintenance is a necessity in order to monitor the condition of the oil in transformers, indications of cellular insulation breakdown, the condition of your main breakers, and to clean away any airborne contaminants that can cause flash over hazards.

IRIS also offers arc flash hazard analysis, arc flash hazard labeling, single line drawing, electrical safety program and compliance assessments, personal protective equipment plans and arc flash safety training programs.

Infrared can not detect the presence of corona discharge, however, which is produced when there is ionization of air molecules due to an electrical discharge. Corona does not generate heat but generates a distinct airborne ultrasonic signal which can be detected by ultrasound.Two technologies used together to give a more comprehensive coverage.

Infrared thermography is a non-destructive, predictive maintenance technique that can be used to monitor the thermal signatures of plant machinery and electrical apparatus and building systems without disrupting normal operations.

Infrared thermographers use cameras designed to monitor the emissions of infrared energy. These infrared cameras detect electromagnetic energy from an object in the form of heat and convert it into a video signal that produces a color image that can be stored for further detailed analysis.

Thermography can be applied to any situation in which an anomaly or condition can display itself by means of a thermal variance. This predictive technique can be used to inspect electrical apparatus, high voltage substations, utility line distribution, roof moisture, refractory systems, mechanical systems and building envelope,ramp heat systems, heat trace cables, pipe and steam traps and more. We perform our inspections with the "FLIR" S(P)660, professional performance, high resolution, handheld thermal and digital imaging systems.

Regular thermographic inspections can be an extremely effective tool to optimize equipment and system efficiencies and help diagnose existing or potential failures of electrical, mechanical, refractory and building envelope related systems, saving your facility from the expense and inconvenience of significant or catastrophic equipment failure.

Infrared cameras have come a very long way over the past few years and the latest infrared imagers with 640x480 resolution are 16x more detailed and accurate than the previous models with 320 x 240 resolution. In this resolution comparison conducted by ITC trainers, results show significant improvement in detecting anomalies with the higher resolution cameras.

Infrared radiation is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and travels at the speed of light. It can be reflected, refracted and focused. Infrared radiation can be emitted by an object with a temperature above absolute zero (-273.16 centigrade.) The basis of infrared thermography is quite simple; all objects emit heat or electromagnetic energy but only a fraction of this energy is visible to the naked eye. Radiation of the Electromagnetic Spectrum is often categorized by wavelength or discrete packets known as photons. Short wavelength is the highest energy and can be quite destructive. Ultraviolet, gamma and x-ray are types of short wavelength radiation. Longer wavelength radiation, such as infrared, radio and microwave, is of lower energy and is less destructive.

Although infrared radiation is not visible, we can sense its characteristics from the heat generated. A fine example of this is when you turn on your stove element to high and place your hand above the element, you can feel heat rising from the element yet there is no visible changes to the element. Seconds later the element emits a reddish glow. What's happening is that the electromagnetic spectrum is moving from infrared to visible wavelength.

Many industrial, high-rise and commercial fires are caused by faulty electrical components, which result in costly downtime, lost production, equipment replacement costs, injury or, at worst, loss of human life.

Infrared thermography provides non-destructive detection of potential "hot spots" and allows for planned monitoring of electrical apparatus and scheduling for preventive maintenance repairs before catastrophic failure occurs.

This non-invasive technology can be used on transmission and distribution lines, substations, transformers, switchgear, fused disconnect switches, motor starters, control panels and various other types of electrical apparatus. All of these have one thing in common, they usually do not fail quickly or without warning.

They fail over time and generate heat through infrared radiation. Our technicians are able to detect this heat radiation with the latest infrared imaging equipment from FLIR. The (S)P660 Infrared Imager from FLIR has a sensitivity > 45 mK and accuracy > +/- 1%, and over 4 times the detail of cameras with 320 x 240 IR resolution.

A scan is conducted throughout your facility on all electrical and mechanical apparatus. Reference images are taken to provide examples of equipment operating at normal efficiency levels and to point out any thermal anomalies.

We then generate a report in digital and hard copy to provide your electrician a clear picture of the equipment requiring attention or repair.

Vibration analysis is a technique that uses the noise or vibration created by rotating mechanical equipment to determine its actual condition. Monitoring the vibration from plant machinery can provide a direct correlation between the mechanical condition and recorded vibration data of each machine in the plant. If applied properly, vibration analysis can identify specific degrading machine components before serious failures occur.

Most vibration-based predictive maintenance programs rely on one or more monitoring techniques. These include broadband trending, narrowband trending, or signature analysis. Periodic vibration analysis of rotating equipment can minimize machine failure due to faulty bearings, misalignment, bent shafts, mechanical looseness, gear wear, unbalance, resonance and many other machine faults. InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. uses the DLI Watchman "DCX", a superior, high performance, four channel, portable data collector. This system also analyses motor current and plane balancing, and is suited for demanding environments that require fast, accurate, data collection.

In simplest form, vibration can be considered to be the oscillation or repetitive motion of an object around an equilibrium position. The equilibrium position is the position the object will attain when the force acting on it is zero. This type of vibration is called "whole body motion", meaning that all the parts of the body are moving together in the same direction at any point in time.

The vibratory motion of a whole body can be described as a combination of six separate motions: the three orthogonal directions x, y, and z, and rotation around the x, y, and z axes. Any complex motion of a body can be broken down into a combination of these six motions. Such a body is therefore said to possess six degrees of freedom. The vibration of an object is always caused by an excitation force.

The excitation force may be externally applied to the object, or it may originate inside the object. It will be seen that the rate (frequency) and magnitude of the vibration of an object is completely determined by the excitation force, direction, and frequency. This is the reason why vibration analysis can determine the excitation forces at work in a machine.

These forces are dependent upon the machine’s condition, and knowledge of its characteristics and interactions allows the IRIS inspectors to diagnose a machine’s problem.

Download a free poster

The FLIR i-Series are small and lightweight infrared cameras designed for those needing higher resolution and more features and for whom documentation of findings are important.

The FLIR i-Series infrared cameras are IP54-rated, making them suitable for use in harsh industrial environments. The cameras are ideal for predictive maintenance and planned inspection of electrical and mechanical systems to ensure they operate at maximum efficiency and safety with minimal energy consumption.

The FLIR T-Series of portable infrared cameras takes infrared camera ergonomics, weight and ease-of-use to a new level. Usability is key: our engineers have translated user feedback on comfort and clarity into a series of comprehensive and innovative features. Furthermore, the FLIR T-Series has been specifically developed for industrial environments.

Introducing the T-620/640 series..The most flexible, innovative, highest quality professional handheld thermal cameras



Datasheet

Introducing the new T-420/440 series...
Datasheet

FLIR P-Series infrared cameras (P620, P640 and P660) provide superior thermal and visual image quality, spot size resolution, temperature measurement accuracy, and a host of advanced features will give you the best engineered, best infrared camera on the market today.

FLIR GF-Series revolutionary infrared cameras find greenhouse gas emissions or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are unbeatable for detecting even the smallest gas leaks.

Airborne Ultrasound has its own significant place in predictive maintenance. Like infrared thermography, airborne ultrasound detection has many applications. Specifically, airborne ultrasound is used for leak detection, valve inspections, bearing inspections, electrical inspections, and lubrication programs. Airborne ultrasound detects and locates sources of friction and turbulence.

InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. (IRIS) is happy to announce we are now representing UE Systems in Ontario. The staff at InfraRed Imaging Solutions Inc. (IRIS) has more than 14 years field experience in Airborne Ultrasound and have provided training on its various applications and equipment operation, regardless of the manufacturer of the equipment.

UE Systems is revolutionizing airborne ultrasound detection with the new Ultraprobe 15000. To arrange or attend a demo of their equipment and software, contact us at info@reliabilitytesting.ca
or call us at 1-877-526-IRIS.