Infrared thermography is the technique of converting infrared energy (radiant heat) into a picture. This is analogous to photography which turns light into a picture.

An infrared imaging camera, which looks similar to a video camera, “sees” the radiant heat through the lens and the internal electronics converts the heat patterns into a signal that is displayed on a normal video screen. The result is a visual image based not on light or color but on radiated heat.

Infrared inspections provide a means to view systems (electrical, mechanical, building envelopes) under normal operating conditions to identify abnormally hot (or cool) areas or components. Repairs can be made during planned downtime. This increases reliability and productivity for the entire operation.

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The Benefits of a More Reliable and Productive System Include:

Financial Savings:

• Fewer interruptions while in operation mean more uptime and greater productivity.
• Equipment problems are fixed before they fail and damage or destroy the rest of the machine.
• Identifying developing problems and planning the repairs results in fewer “panic situations”, those costly predicaments that force excessive overtime and monetary premiums for emergency rush equipment orders.

Safety:

• An industrial process that runs reliably and without surprises produces a safer work environment. Many industrial processes are complex and run at high speed. A sudden failure on one machine can have a cascading effect of failures that may include flying debris.
• Fire avoidance. Overheated electrical connections can start fires. You may have heard of a fire in your area that it was caused by “faulty wiring”. This means many things including bad design and overloaded circuits. It also commonly means a bad electrical connection that was overheating and was not found in time. 

Quality:

• A process that runs reliably will produce higher quality than a process that experiences sudden stops, mechanical wrecks, and a lack of maintenance to key components.

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Industries & Equipment that Benefit from Regular Inspection:

Types of Industries:

• Power Generation
• Petro-Chemical
• Coal Mining
• Manufacturing
• Wood Products
• Metal Refining and Processing
• Commercial Buildings 

Electrical Equipment:

• Outdoor High Voltage Substations
• Indoor Power Centers
• Overhead Cables, Splices, “T” Taps throughout the Facility
• Bus Duct and Cable Drops
• Motor Control Centers and other Motor Starters
• Wall Mounted Disconnect Switches, Fuses, and Circuit Breaker Panels
• Control Panels 
• AC and DC Motors
• Motors and Controls on Large Cranes

Boilers, Furnaces, and Refractory

• Furnaces and other similar equipment that produce or contain heat usually have some kind of thermal insulation around the outside. A breakdown of insulation produces a hot area that the infrared camera easily sees. Repairs can then be made before equipment failure or injury to personnel.

Commercial Buildings

• The infrared camera is also very useful in finding abnormally warm or cool areas in commercial building envelopes. Moisture in roofs and uninsulated sections of wall are among the important things to identify in a building. 

About Iris Associates

The owner and principal of IRIS Associates is Maurice (Maury) Confer. A 1979 graduate of Penn State University, Mr. Confer built a strong reputation as a field service engineer with nearly two decades of service for two major electrical equipment manufacturers, Westinghouse Electric Corporation and General Electric Company.

Mr. Confer gained proficiency with infrared thermography, vibration analysis, balancing rotating equipment, shaft alignment, electrical testing, and trouble-shooting equipment problems.

In 1997, drawing upon his extensive experience, Mr. Confer developed the concept of an infrared thermography inspection company that would provide the highest level of service at competitive market rates. IRIS Associates is the culmination of his efforts.

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