infrared thermal imaging

ABSTRACT
The practical use of infrared thermography is, in a nutshell: looking at the thermal energy emitted from an object, explaining normality, seeing abnormalities and reporting them in a graphic, usable and easy-to-understand fashion, so that someone who is not familiar with the technology, can act to fix whatever is wrong. This works on heat emissions from all types of energy - not just electrical energy. There are many uses for infrared thermography other than inspecting electrical switchgear. In this paper I will discuss two of those other uses for infrared thermography.

On August 16th, 2007 Bill Giffen was involved in an Arc Flash incident with a 13,800 Volt Switch. He received 3rd degree burns to his left leg and 2nd degree burns to his arm, back and groin area

A Study of a Positive, and Growing, Return on Investment by Martin Robinson

A paper mill in South Carolina had a very successful infrared inspection program that management wanted to expand. However, the requirements of NFPA 70E were causing them to re-think their strategy since inspections of energized equipment was becoming more restrictive, more time consuming and more costly. Furthermore, 8% of the mill's applications had never been surveyed due to either switched interlocks (which automatically deenergize the equipment upon opening, thereby preventing access to energized components), or to incident energy calculations in excess of 100 cal/cm2 on certain equipment (which exceeds personal protective equipment [PPE] ratings, and would place personnel in extreme danger and open the company to OSHA fines).