Infrared Thermometers: Indispensable Tools in Facility Maintenance
The noncontact handheld thermometer easily determines whether motors, boilers, bearings, electrical systems, and all types of operating equipment are functioning properly, and detects signs of developing problems. These instruments quickly and conveniently measure surface temperatures from a safe distance to keep your plant operating efficiently and preventing costly shutdowns.
How do I measure temperature with an IR thermometer?
There are three noncontact thermometer measurement techniques:
- Spot: determine the absolute surface temperature of an object.
- Temperature differential: compare two spot measurements against each other.
- Scanning: detect changes along a wide or continuous region target.
What are the benefits of using IR thermometers?
- Effectively find your problems quickly and safely, saving time and cost
- IR thermometers are accurate, usually within one degree
- IR thermometers safely read hard-to-reach or inaccessible objects
What are the main areas I can use my IR thermometer?
- Electrical Maintenance. Check for heat created by loose connectors or buildup. Instantly troubleshoot problems in battery banks and power panel terminations, ballasts, switch gears, and fuse connections, and identify hot spots in the output filters on DC battery connections.
- Equipment Maintenance. Check moving parts in motors and gear work for hot spots. Temperature change can indicate developing problems in many types of equipment, from ovens and boilers to freezers. Routine temperature audits of generators and their bearings can prevent expensive repairs.
- Building Controls. Monitor HVAC/R components for quick energy audits and room balancing in a short time.
- Troubleshoot engine problems. Temperature is a vital indicator of how well cooling systems are performing, or whether friction, vibration and other conditions are creating wear in braking systems and bearings.
- Process/Product. Monitor process line equipment. Check the temperature of different products on production lines from rubber tires to plastic and cellophane wrapping to chocolate bars.