Inspection using infrared thermal imaging
Electrical equipment is one of the main causes of incidents in companies, on industrial sites or in public buildings. Unplanned production stoppages, the degradation of equipment or electrical fires can have serious financial consequences.
Condition-based maintenance inspections of electrical installations can help prevent these risks, ensure the safety of people and availability of the production tool.
Regulations (Order 88-1056 of 14 November 1988) require compulsory periodic and visual inspections of electrical installations and their compliance with standards. Unfortunately, not all faults are visible to the naked eye and can be the cause of failures and disastrous incidents.
Infrared thermal imaging, a non-destructive testing technique, performed on operational electrical installations, is used to measure the surface temperature of equipment
This technique, recognised and approved by the French Insurance Federation (FFSA), makes it possible to detect abnormal heating, which could be caused by many things (loose connections, connection fault, multi-phase imbalance problem, poor equipment sizing, premature ageing, etc.)
The ultimate goal is to define corrective actions and any work to be carried work, thereby optimising the safety of your site by reducing the risks of fire and production stoppages.
Many insurers ask their customers to have this inspection carried out by an APSAD Q19 qualified member of staff, who will provide a file containing a Q19 inspection report and inspection report at the end of the infrared thermal imaging inspection.
Inspection using infrared thermal imaging – HV power lines
Infrared thermal imaging is used for HV power line inspections. These measurements are mainly carried out by flying over the HV power lines, or from the ground. This inspection is sued to identify potential faults on the network (connection faults, insulator defects, high operating temperature, etc.), and is accompanied by a visual inspection used to detect damage to equipment or the presence of vegetation.
Infrared thermal imaging can also be combined with an ultraviolet inspection, a technique used to detect and pinpoint faults caused by partial discharge, corona activity or arcing.
Inspection using infrared thermal imaging – Energy diagnosis
Infrared thermal imaging is also used to detect thermal faults. This technology is the ideal tool to show heat loss in walls and ceilings, making it possible to identify areas with high levels of heat loss, resulting in energy losses and an associated additional cost.