Maintenance programmes rely on regular plant inspection to determine the presence of underlying problems. Plant personnel are required to periodically visit the systems and machines within a facility to anticipate the need for preventative or corrective maintenance.
Handheld infrared non-contact thermometers provide maintenance engineers with a quick, safe and accurate way to scan surfaces and locate hot or cold spots, which could indicate underlying problems. Defective components can often be identified by measuring the absolute temperature of the component, the temperature differential between the component and its environment, or the temperature difference relative to other components running at similar load. By analysing the results of data collected over time, changes in the temperature of objects can be used to determine if failure is likely.
Finding the hot spots
Most mechanical systems generate thermal energy during operation and temperature monitoring can aid the evaluation of operating conditions. Temperature checks should be performed regularly to locate hot spots or heat imbalances on devices such as drives, bearings, transmissions, pumps, pulleys, and conveyors. Electrical equipment has similar measurement demands. Busbars with loose or oxidised joints, for example, will rapidly exhibit higher than normal temperatures due to increased electrical resistance.
Simply finding the heat however, does not necessarily mean that a problem is present. To properly evaluate the presence of hot spots, the load and acceptable operating temperature ranges for the load, as specified by the manufacturer, must be known. Exact measurement of spot temperature values can then be used to identify abnormalities, since even temperature differences of 5 to 10° could indicate trouble in certain cases. Handheld infrared thermometers can quickly and accurately measure small variations in surface temperature and are therefore a useful aid to maintenance activity decision making.
The PhotoTemp MX6 is the latest generation handheld infrared thermometer from Raytek. Designed to provide more than a temperature reading on a display, features include datalogging, the ability to store temperature data from multiple locations along an inspection route, flexible display options such as maximum, minimum, average and differential temperature, audible alarms and Windows-based software for temperature trend analysis and report preparation.
Enhanced features include a built-in digital camera, which allows visual recording of temperature measurements. The detailed images are easily downloadable from the unit for inclusion in inspection reports.
Temperature measurement solution for foundry
Temperature Measurement
AMETEK Land, a world-leading manufacturer of infrared pyrometers, scanners and thermal imagers, is helping an Indian foundry to support metal quality and reduce ongoing costs.
Read more...How wet steam undermines boiler efficiency Endress+Hauser South Africa
Temperature Measurement
Endress+Hauser understands the daily challenges and demands placed on energy and utility managers across the spectrum of steam generation, distribution and consumption activities. Its global team is committed to working with its partners to overcome these complexities, and particularly those that aim for a safe, economic and sustainable sitsce of steam energy production and delivery.
Read more...Dramatically reducing greenhouse emissions
Temperature Measurement
Online teaser: There is considerable potential for reducing CO2 emissions in the mill process by optimising the heat source for drying. The most promising approach to achieving a carbon neutral process in a hot gas generator is the combustion of green hydrogen.
Read more...Infrared camera for condition monitoring and early fire detection Instrotech
Temperature Measurement
The Optris PI 640i thermal imager is the smallest measuring VGA infrared camera, with a body-sized volume of 45 x 56 x 90 mm, and weighing only 269 to 340 g, depending on the lens. It counts among the most compact thermal imaging cameras on the market.
Read more...Paint curing applications in the automotive industry R&C Instrumentation
Temperature Measurement
For successful paint cure, irrespective of the paint chemistry being used, there is a critical need to measure and control the temperature of the car body as it travels through the oven. Today, paint ovens are controlled in a sophisticated fashion via thermocouples located in each zone to give constant feedback on the ambient temperature.
Read more...Universal temperature transmitter with drift detection WIKA Instruments
Temperature Measurement
The new model T38 digital temperature transmitter from WIKA enables extremely flexible and stable temperature measurement. The instrument offers a maximum of sensor connection combinations, and a new type of drift detection.
Read more...Temperature monitoring in the metal casting process Instrotech
Temperature Measurement
During metal casting, the liquid material is poured into a mould, and after solidification becomes a solid body. Both too-high and too-low casting temperatures can lead to quality defects. The compact Optris PI 05M infrared thermal imaging camera from Instrotech can monitor the casting process.
Read more...Pyrometer range with enhanced features
Temperature Measurement
AMETEK Land has relaunched its market-leading SPOT pyrometer range with enhanced features and benefits for a wide range of industrial applications. The new SPOT+ family offers a wide range of temperature measurement from 50 to 3500°C, and a choice of different wavelengths for applications including metals, glass, cement and lime kilns, and foundries.
printer friendly version