Infrared Scans
What is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal imaging is the non-contact detection and measurement of infrared energy or temperature.
How do thermal imagers work?
Much like digital cameras, Thermal Imagers capture pictures. Instead of seeing visible light like digital cameras, thermal imagers use a detector to measure infrared energy. These measurements are then used to create a thermal image by assigning colors to correspond with certain temperatures.
MCS, Inc. uses thermal imaging to inspect, troubleshoot and maintain electrical, mechanical and process equipment. Detecting abnormal heat patterns on equipment prior to a failure allows our customers to lower costs, increase productivity, reduce risk and save money.
MCS, Inc. provides Infrared Thermal Imaging scans and reports using Infrared Cameras to detect and document anomalies invisible to the naked eye and which are often only visible in infrared. Coupled with our many years of experience in the industry we are now able to quickly find and solve many issues and conduct superior investigative inspections.
MCS, Inc. conducts inspections such as electrical fault/switchboard surveys and insulation energy efficiency checks in commercial buildings. The Thermal Imaging camera is great for finding missing or incorrectly fitted insulation which can often be seen beside, against or over lights, which is a fire risk. Along with our Infrared cameras we also use the latest equipment such as non-invasive moisture meters, energy monitors and other non-destructive, non-invasive equipment to confirm our findings without causing any damage.
About Infrared and How the Infrared Camera Works
Infrared is an energy which can be described as light we can't see. The infrared camera sees the light as heat and can show this in the Picture. Infrared light consists of electromagnetic wavelengths, which lie between the visible and microwave portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Although we can't see Infrared, humans can sense it as heat. All materials whose surface temperature is above absolute zero (-273 °C) emit infrared. Infrared light is closest in wavelength to visible light and "far infrared" is closer to the microwave region of the electromagnetic spectrum. Far infrared waves are thermal. Objects at temperatures found in buildings radiate heat almost entirely in the far infrared range. Thermal imager's sense infrared which varies with the temperature of the objects in a scene. The image generated provides a thermal signature of the scene. Infrared energy from the objects in the scene are focused by the optics onto an infrared detector. The infrared information is then passed to a signal processor which translates the infrared data into an image that can be viewed, and the infrared images along with normal digital images can be stored for later documentation in the camera's reporting software.
Why a thermal scan?
Before an electrical component burns up, it heats up. Infrared thermography is used to perform Pd/Pm inspections on electrical equipment because excess heat is usually the first sign of trouble on electrical (or mechanical) apparatus. These failures from loose connections, imbalanced circuits, defective breakers, and damaged switches, as well as faulty fuses or fuse clips, overloaded circuits, workmanship or material defects, and a range of other conditions which eventually lead to excess heat and component failure.
Infrared Thermography finds the problems early in the failure cycle. Early detection allows maintenance personnel to take corrective action before a component fails. This minimizes damage to the component, reducing repair costs, eliminating production losses, preventing safety hazards and saving energy.
We can help with:
* Hot Spot Checks
* Overloaded Circuits
* Faulty Terminal Connections
* High & Low Voltage Contacts
* Floor Heating Faults and Mapping
* Damaged Insulation
* Electric Motor Load Balancing
* V Belt Tension
* Cooling Systems
* Hydraulic System Operation
* Alignment of Pumps
* Bearing Problems
* Preventative & Predictive Maintenance
