Introduction
A picture really is worth a thousand words especially when that picture is a thermogram produced by a certified thermographer. A thermogram is a “heat photo” produced by an infrared (IR) camera (sometimes called an imaging radiometer). An IR camera detects and measures thermal energy (heat) that is invisible to the human eye. The camera measures this invisible radiant heat energy from a natural or manufactured target and converts it into a visual image – a photo. This photo can then be analyzed and used to detect emerging problems in systems, equipment, buildings and other applications.
The ability to identify and correct problems before they become an expensive casualty is one of the leading benefits of accurate thermal imaging – thermography. The presence of a heat differential in your system or equipment usually indicates a problem. here is what the experts say: |    |
A June 2001 article in Maintenance Technology magazine reported a $4 return on investment for every $1 spent on an infrared inspection. That cost savings has only increased in the last decade. A 10 year study by AIPE of over 10,000 IR surveys found:
- 1/3 of all equipment generated facility losses/shutdowns are electrical in nature
- 1/4 of those electrical losses/shutdowns are due simply to loose connections, something easily detected during an IR survey
- an average of 8 "exceptions" (problems) were found in a typical IR survey
- 1/2 of the exceptions found were rated as serious/critical in nature
- average savings per exception were found to be between $500 and $20,000 depending on the severity of the exception
Thermography is a valuable tool in any preventive/predictive maintenance program. It is a non-destructive, non-contact means to determine temperature. We encourage you to step further into the Freedom IR website to learn more about what Thermography can do for you.
Case Study:
The company representative I was working with remarked afterwards, "...you just paid for the cost of your IR service 10 times over." There are very real savings to be found by using a certified Thermal Imaging business like FreedomIR.
We can help you 'Get the Picture.'
WHY CHOOSE FREEDOMIR FOR YOUR
THERMAL IMAGING SOLUTIONS?
During a recent survey of a large manufacturing plant here in NC I found several exceptions in some of their motor controllers and galley wiring runs. One deficiency in particular revealed an approximately 100 degree F temperature differential between the 3 phases of a large motor. When I pointed this fault out to the company representative who was working with me he immediately notified the plant manager. Quickly a plan was developed that included monitoring the equipment more closely and making the necessary repairs that day at the end of the shift.The expense for unexpected maintenance shutdowns at this facility is $60/minute in total loss time costs. Time needed for their maintenance techs to effect the repair was approximately 1 hour. Immediate cost savings to this facility by finding this critical fault before it became a costly casualty = $3,600. Note: this does not include additional savings accrued from timely loss prevention by finding this serious problem before it became an insurance claim.
The company representative I was working with remarked afterwards, "...you just paid for the cost of your IR service 10 times over." There are very real savings to be found by using a certified Thermal Imaging business like FreedomIR.
We can help you 'Get the Picture.'
"What you found paid for your services ten times over." - Alamance, NC
