Machine failure don’t just happen in an instant. Most machine failures – whether its electrical, mechanical, process, or electronic- begins with a significant increase in operating temperature even before the problem occurs. Machine failure is usually like running out of your battery car. There’s no way to tell when you will run out of battery, one day your car just won’t start. Fortunately for machineries, there are devices that can detect and determine if there is an unusual heat activity that can possibly cause problems to your machine.

An Infrared Thermography can detect infrared energy emitted by an object, converting it to apparent temperature, and displaying the result as an infrared image. Infrared thermography came from the literal meaning “beyond red” (infrared) and “temperature picture” (thermography).

Why get an infrared camera?

An infrared camera allows you to capture thermal images without making direct contact with the equipment. That means you can capture thermal information from operating equipment at a safe distance and have a better chance of seeing temperature anomalies under normal operating conditions. Widely popular infrared cameras capture radiometric thermal images that contain apparent temperature measurements for each pixel within the image. This capability allows you to identify an anomaly and then drill down to calculate the apparent temperate of the points in question.

Big Benefit

The non-contact feature of infrared technology makes it ideal for a wide range of applications where components are moving, very hot, dangerous to contact, difficult to reach, impossible to shut off, or could be contaminated or damaged through contact. Infrared cameras are also helpful in detecting energy or moisture-related issues in a building envelope.

Unlike older thermal imagers that were larger, more expensive, slower, and poorer image resolution, newer versions of thermal imagers perform much better. They are more compact, with ergonomic cameras that are easy and fast to use, and they are much more affordable with high resolution images. With the help of these new thermal imagers, now it is speedier and convenient to conduct inspections and fix machinery issues that you may have overlooked.

If you’re looking for the best-performing thermal imager in the country, Presidium.PH has got it for you. You may reach them at +632 464 9339 or email them at info@presidium.ph.

Thermal imagers, also known as infrared cameras, allow technicians to detect issues before they cause bigger problems or failures. While some equipment present obvious symptoms through unusual vibration or sounds, other electrical problems may only be detected by thermal patterns. It’s important to identify these issues before they lead to equipment failure or serious electrical hazards.

Infrared thermography offers a wide variety of advantages. It can speed up diagnosis, reduce – and possible even avoid – unscheduled downtime, and minimize damage to structure and contents.

Here are the various use of thermal imagers:

• Most types of equipment
• Collecting data in hazardous environments from a safe distance
• Scanning large areas such as walls, ceilings, and roofs quickly
• Gathering data without disrupting production
• Quickly identifying irregularities in specific locations
• Detecting problems before failure

These advantages not only help technicians and contractors, but also produce additional benefits for troubleshooting and preventive and predictive maintenance. Some of these include:

Increased safety

Technicians can inspect areas and equipment from a safe distance. They don’t need to interrupt operations, nor have to climb ladders or use a lift to scan ductwork and high ceilings.

Improved reliability

Reduce unscheduled downtime by attaining more accurate information for easier maintenance and repairs. Easily identify and address the problem before it results in large-scale losses.

Better assurance of repairs

An infrared camera allows technicians to quickly scan repaired components or structural areas to very that a repair was successful, or identify if further repairs are needed.

Successful commissioning of new installations

Infrared thermography can be used to document the condition of new equipment at the time of acceptance. The baseline documentation can be used to verify the manufacturer’s performance specifications or provide a basis for comparison at another time.

Improved production rate and quality

Preventive or predictive maintenance can minimize equipment malfunctions and failures.

Monitor equipment deterioration

Maintain optimum production efficiency by monitoring the condition and characteristics of your equipment with a thermal imager, against predetermined tolerances. This will allow you to repair or replace deteriorating components before they fail completely and potentially cause unplanned downtime.

Invest in a quality thermal imager from Fluke and reap the benefits.

Presidium.PH is an official distributor of Fluke Industrial Group and Fluke Calibration products in the Philippines. For more information, contact Presidium at +632 464 9339.

Every measurement and calibration process undergo strict inspection. It is important to have a precautionary check of every tools that will be used in order to assure the success and safety of the operation. Whenever you are assigned for a large or even small-scale measurement operations, these quick steps can help ensure your measurement device is safe and ready to go.

Use common sense

This is probably one of the most common and important things that you must attain when doing safety checks. Make it a habit to take a closer and detailed look at your equipment and accessories before you begin any operation. Check if it is broken or if there are any shattered parts on your device. It is essential to know every in-and-out of your device to easily determine if it is functional. If you wouldn’t let other people borrow it from you because of its condition, then you shouldn’t use it yourself.

Inspect leads

Electrical measurement operations pose high risk for people who are conducting it. Hence, make sure to perform an inspection on the test leads before using any electrical testing instruments. This is to ensure that the device can safely and accurately conduct electricity for the job at hand. Be sure your leads have minimum exposed metal on the following:

1. • Double insulation.
   • CAT ratings that equal or exceed those of the meter.
   • Finger guards.
   • Shrouded connectors.

Continuity testing

You can use your meter’s own continuity testing function to check for any internal breaks. This ensures that your device is accurately providing results and is not prone to error when the actual operation starts. Try checking test lead resistance by:

1. • Selecting Ω, touching probe tips and being sure the leads are 0.1 – 0.3 Ω.
   • Inserting leads in V/Ω and COM inputs.

Verify correct voltage rating

Make sure that the device meter that you will be using and its accessories are appropriately rated and designed for the system. Whenever you are conducting any electrical measurement, set the voltage at the right meter and verify its rating to ensure accurate results and measurements

Safety checking your equipment before any measurement operation can reduce hazard and ensure that all equipment is ready to go. Whether voltage testers or digital millimetres, a quick safety scan before working can save time and money. To ensure the guaranteed safety of your operation, you also need a trusted provider that can supply you long-lasting calibration and measurement tools.

Presidium.ph Corporation is an official distributor of Fluke Calibration products in the Philippines. Fluke is the world leader in the manufacture and distribution of any electronic test tools. We can assure you that our line of measurement tools are safe and highly functional. You can trust us to bring you the most trusted test tools that can bring you not just accurate results but also safe operations.

For more info, you can contact us at +632-464-9339 or visit our website at www.presidium.ph

For electricians and technicians, the power and distribution panels and the nearby wiring systems are the best starting point to troubleshoot electrical disruptions.

The voltage and current are the two most common electrical measurements or details that are usually taken from the panels and surrounding wiring. However, in some scenarios, the technician may also want to test for the continuity or measure peak voltage, peak current, minimum or maximum voltage or current over time, temperature, harmonics, power factor, transient voltage, temperature or even analyse waveforms to isolate specific problems.

The measurements of these factors can be done through the use of the right equipment but with the proper protective gear, of course.

Here are some of the important tools that electricians and technicians usually use for testing various measurements on electrical wiring and panels:

Voltage Testers

This kind of tool is being used to quickly access the presence of voltage. Some advanced and new tools have been also devised to measure voltage without really using test leads. Take Fluke’s T6-600 or T6 – 1000 as examples.

Digital Multimeters

DMMs are called the Swiss Army Knife of measurement tools for nothing. Technically, this versatile and flexible instrument can measure or test voltage, current, resistance, continuity, capacitance, frequency, diodes, duty cycle, and more. Just like the Fluke 87V Industrial Multimeter and Fluke 3000 FC, you can’t go wrong with Fluke’s digital multimeters.

Clamp Meters

Clamp meters are very convenient to use for accessing wirings in tight spaces, panels that are beyond easy reach, and extra-large conductors. Fluke’s top-seller Fluke 381 Remote Display True-RMS AC/DC Clamp Meter with IFlex is your best option for this one, so check it out!

Insulation Testers

You can now quickly find problems on your electrical system by saving and comparing measurements over time on a wireless device. See Fluke 1587 FC Insulation Multimeter for yourself!

Infrared Cameras and Thermometers

Rugged, handheld Infrared non-contact cameras and thermometers quickly measure surface temperatures in hard-to-reach or hazardous areas. Infrared cameras are ideal for quick inspection of electrical panels in order to determine potential problem areas before further testing and troubleshooting. Check out our very own Fluke VT04A Visual IR Thermometer!

Fluke is an internationally-acclaimed and trusted manufacturer of electrical testing tools. In the Philippines, Presidium.PH Corporation is an official distributor of Fluke products. For additional queries, contact Presidium at +632 464 9339 or info@presidium.ph.