Without the benefit of a specially designed enclosure window for thermographic analysis, what must be done to obtain accurate, but safe readings using infrared thermographic techniques?
• Personnel safety around energized equipment when doors or covers are open • How quickly heat patterns change after de-energizing equipment • The purpose of a specially designed IR window in an enclosure
• Ask yourself: For an accurate thermographic reading, do I need the equipment to be under normal operating load, or can it be de-energized? • Consider what happens to hot spots immediately after power is removed—do they stay the same, fade quickly, or slowly? • Which option best balances true operating temperature with arc-flash/electrical shock safety when there is no IR window available?
• Verify which choices involve energized equipment with the door open and think about standard electrical safety/arc-flash practices. • Consider which choices would cause cooling of components and therefore less accurate indication of real operating temperatures. • Check industry guidance: accurate infrared inspections are usually done when equipment is at normal operating temperature and load, but must also follow lockout/tagout and arc-flash safety requirements.
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