One of the critical parameters in the operating of and maintaining a chemicals plant is temperature. Infrared thermometers can provide an effective inspection tool for quickly locating and documenting hot and cold spots behind the scenes. Surface temperature plays a critical role in routine maintenance, and can tell a lot about the condition of the plant, HVAC and electrical systems, as well as critical machinery. While often invisible to the eye, air leakage, moisture accumulation, blockages in pipes, structural features behind walls, even overheating mechanical components and electrical circuits, can all be detected and visibly documented using handheld miniature fixed infrared thermometers.
Inspection of surfaces with such tools allows users to quickly locate hot and cold spots, which are often indications of underlying problems and focus maintenance effort where it needs to be.
Infrared thermometers measure the infrared energy emitted from all surfaces and convert the information into a temperature reading. Inspections to be done safely and conveniently – simply point the instrument at the target, pull the trigger, and read the temperature value, or see continual temperatures on your control system or local panel. Measurements take only a fraction of a second and have an accuracy of often better than 1% of reading. Laser sighting helps locate small targets in low light and in tight spaces from optimal distances. Temperatures of hard-to-reach spaces can be checked immediately without the need for ladders or scaffolding.
The latest generation of portable infrared thermometers from Raytek and Ircon include advanced features to better support inspection efforts. These include data logging, or the ability to store temperature readings for multiple locations along an inspection route; audible alarms set by the user to indicate temperatures above and below acceptable ranges; as well as user-friendly analysis and reporting software for detailed documentation of your inspections.
To enhance documentation capability further, Raytek has combined an infrared thermometer with a digital camera in one lightweight inspection tool, the PhotoTemp MX6. Ideal for fire inspections and for checking critical machinery it provides a unique way to simultaneously take precise temperature measurements and to document them with digital photographs. Images show the exact measurement spot superimposed with temperature, location name, date and time.
On-line infrared measurement of temperature is being used more and more in maintenance and building and electrical equipment and is very effective in drawing attention to high temperature areas that, if left, would cause plant failure and production loss.
Critical plant equipment like compressors, transformers, boiler tubes and electrical switchgear can be monitored with the new range of low cost miniature sensors. Outputs from these units when connected to control systems or to panel indicators can provide early warnings to enable planned shutdown and spares procurement. In essence a simple non-contact temperature alarm switch.
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