FLIR spot thermal cameras: The ideal tool for preventive maintenance

Predictive maintenance and RCM programs at industrial facilities make use of a variety of test and measurement tools to inspect mechanical and electrical components and to keep the uptime of equipment as high as possible. As a manufacturer of advanced test & measurement tools, FLIR Systems has been supporting preventive maintenance professionals for many years. With FLIR’s spot thermal camera technology, they now have an effective tool to locate problems and ensure that costly downtime and breakdowns are avoided. What’s more, test and measurement tools from FLIR have become so affordable and easy to use, that also small businesses and even households turn to the power of spot thermal cameras to locate pending problems and reduce energy costs.

Although spot meters have become indispensable for today’s maintenance professional, finding the exact location of a mechanical, electrical or building-related problem might require quite some guesswork. It does not always show up clearly to the naked eye. Another challenge with electrical  problems is that they can be dangerous when approached closely.

Spot thermal cameras from FLIR overcome these problems very effectively: they bridge the gap between current generation IR thermometers that offer no imaging capability, and FLIR’s thermal cameras. An IR thermometer provides a non-contact temperature reading, while a thermal imaging device shows the relative thermal properties of a subject or targeted area in the context of its surroundings. FLIR spot thermal cameras do both of these things.

FLIR calls this Infrared Guided Measurement (IGM). IGM technology allows maintenance professionals to identify the precise location of a problem that is invisible to the naked eye. IGM has been designed to save time and allow people to locate problems from a safe distance. IGM visually guides the user to temperature problems, and allows them to see which spot may require further testing and investigation.

Different spot thermal camera models are available. FLIR’s TG-Series consists of the entry-level TG130, and the more advanced TG165 and the TG167. The difference between the latter two models is their field of view.

HOUSEHOLD AND SMALL BUSINESS APPLICATIONS

Entry-level spot thermal cameras like the FLIR TG130 can be used for a broad spectrum of household or small business applications. By simply pointing the camera at an object, anyone can identify energy and temperature-related issues within and around a structure. From finding drafts, detecting heat loss around doors and windows, or locating areas of missing insulation, spot thermal cameras pinpoint problems and help users increase energy efficiency. Other very useful applications include checking HVAC performance and functionality, troubleshooting problems affecting performance of home appliances, checking refrigerator settings, and locating pipes in walls, so you can  avoid hammering nails into water pipes when hanging décor or a flat screen TV.

BUILDING AND GENERAL ELECTRICAL APPLICATIONS

More advanced spot thermal cameras like the FLIR TG165 (50° field of view) can help you identify heat patterns, reliably measure temperature, and store images and data for reports. With the FLIR TG165’s spot ratio of 24 to 1, you can take accurate readings from safer distances (the temperature of a spot with a size of 1 cm in diameter can be accurately measured at a distance of 24 cm). FLIR spot thermal cameras are simple to operate, featuring intuitive menu icons and dual laser pointers.

With its wide 50-degree field of view, the TG165 is very useful for both building and general electrical inspections. The TG165 is also perfect for HVAC, automotive, or spot checking building maintenance applications, and you can see entire condensers or electric motors all at once, and measure spot temperatures on key areas of concern.

INDOOR ELECTRICAL INSPECTIONS

Designed for indoor electrical inspection, the TG167 (25° field of view) will help you easily find unseen hot and cold spots in electrical cabinets or switch boxes, giving you quality image detail on even small connectors and wires. Then you can store images and download data to show customers and include in reports.

For more information about thermal imaging  cameras or about this application, please visit:
www.flir.in/test

The images displayed may not be representative of the actual resolution of the camera shown.  Images for  illustrative purposes only.