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Mechanical Applications
Introduction
Infrared thermography is a powerful inspection method to assist in the reduction of maintenance costs on mechanical equipment and is therefore a critical factor in the operational reliability of industrial or commercial facilities.
All electrical and mechanical equipment have an allowable operating temperature limit. Infrared thermography allows for the remote monitoring of temperature patterns while the equipment is online and operational. Unlike many other test methods, infrared can be used on a wide variety of equipment including electrical systems, pumps, motors, bearings, and most process equipment. One of the major troubles in mechanical systems is excessive temperature.
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Mechanical Equipment Inspections
If this were a perfect world all of the electrical energy supplied to a machine would result in 100% conversion into work performed by the mechanical equipment. We know this in not the case! A certain amount of energy is converted to thermal energy by friction or resistance from the mechanical load, thereby increasing the temperature of the machine. All mechanical systems generate thermal energy during normal operation that allows infrared thermography to evaluate their normal operating condition. As mechanical equipment begins to fail there will be a change in the normal thermal signature. There are many causes of increasing temperatures in mechanical systems such as friction, cooling degradation, material loss or blockages can all generate high levels of thermal energy. Friction for example, can be caused by wear, overload, misalignment, over or under lubrication and misuse.
Motor is operating at elevated temperature of 110°C. It was found the mechanical system the motor was driving had deteriorated to a point of failure. |
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| The thermal pattern of motor indicated there was misalignment of the machine train. | The bearing and front of the motor was at elevated temperatures. The belts were loosened off and the temperatures returned to normal. |
In the hands of a trained and experienced technician, infrared thermography is the ideal instrument to aid in identifying failing mechanical equipment before it can cause a catastrophic loss.
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| This motor has a localized hot spot at the bottom right. This could be due to the deterioration of the windings. | |
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| A problem with the mechanical drive of this pump is thermally identified. The motor is operating at elevated temperatures, probably as a result of high rotational resistance in the pump. | |
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