Thermal imaging is a well-established and proven method of preventative maintenance to electrical equipment. But the process does not come without risk. Removing panels to gain access to switchgear for thermal inspection is a risky business. The danger of arc flash – a short circuit through the air that creates a fireball explosion – is great. Simply dropping hand tools or a cover panel, making accidental contact with energised parts or changing the state of equipment are common triggers and the results can be fatal. These hazards are bad enough anywhere, but even more so in the petroleum industry.
The use of an IRISS IR window effectively allows the switchgear to remain in an enclosed and guarded condition, so the IR scan becomes a non-invasive task. Infrared passes through the window’s transmissive polymer lens without compromising the IP65/NEMA 4X seal on the enclosure panel.
This not only keeps personnel safe but it also allows the system to be thermally inspected under normal load conditions. As a result both quantitative and qualitative data can be acquired on the status of the electrical system. Furthermore, applications previously considered to be too hazardous for thermal imaging, can be brought into the regular inspection schedule.
Maersk choose IRISS inspection windows
Manufactured in 2013, the Maersk Intrepid is a drilling rig that has been designed to operate in the harsh environment of the North Sea. Up to 150 people stay on the rig at any one time so, safety and fire prevention are paramount and to minimise the risk Maersk operates a rigorous preventative maintenance programme for all electrical equipment on board, in line with NFPA 70E and SOLAS regulations.
Maersk chose IRISS windows because they are well tested in the market and comply with all safety standards required by the offshore industry. The products were recommended and supplied by TCAM AS of Norway, a local partner of IRISS that specialises in preventative maintenance solutions.
The majority of the thirty IRISS windows ordered by Maersk were custom rectangular CAP-CT 24 types. IRISS supplied the windows for Maersk Intrepid during September 2015, allowing rig engineers to undertake fast thermal inspection of critical components. The IR windows ensure the compliance with industry standards, reliability of assets and most importantly personnel safety.
For more information contact R&C Instrumentation, 086 111 4217, [email protected], www.randci.co.za
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