Affordable thermal imaging camera

September 2001 Maintenance, Test & Measurement, Calibration

Thermoteknix Systems, represented locally by Dynamic Instrumentation, has introduced what it describes as an affordable, portable thermal imaging camera - the Thermonitor IR 50. Predictive maintenance personnel, especially in the electrical fraternity, are increasingly recognising the need to carry out annual or biannual infrared inspections on HT and LT switchgear as well as distribution boards and substations. The technology is effectively used in preventing accidents, fires and electricity wastage, as well as pinpointing hot spots in mechanical applications such as motors, gearboxes, transformers, steam traps and bearings.

The camera's features include:

* Superb picture quality.

* High temperature accuracy.

* Storage capacity of 250 images in each PCMCIA card.

* 4" LCD panel display for viewing in the field.

* Selectable NTSC or PAL video output.

* Patented solid state thermoelectric detector array technology that requires no liquid or gas cooling.

* Long wave imaging allows for maximum sensitivity with no solar reflections.

The IR 50 is supplied complete with a software bundle, the Thermonitor Reporter Suite. The powerful software allows for reporting and analysis of digital and thermal images, for both novice and experienced users. The wizard-driven, Microsoft Word-based package is supplied with standard and customised templates designed for electrical, mechanical and general predictive maintenance applications.

The suite has a full range of analysis tools which includes:

* Drag and drop.

* OLE 2 compliance.

* Labelling, histograms and pen tools.

* Temperature differencers.

* Mosaicing, averaging.

* 'Positrak' to allow previously photographed and stored images to be compared.

Dynamic Instrumentation

(011) 803 7007

dinstr@netactive.co.za

SA I&C apologises for the errors in the August issue.

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