Infrared

Infrared thermography detects problems in your electrical system that are not visible to the naked eye.

How?

By detecting unusual heat build up caused by loose connections, dust and other conditions surrounding your electrical apparatus.

Heat is one of the most destructive forces of any electrical system!

Excessive Heat Destroys Electrical Equipment!

Why?

The heart of any electrical system is its insulation. Insulation is very important because:

• It protects the conductors from contact with each other,
• It protects the conductors from a direct path to ground.

Heat deteriorates the effectiveness of the insulation in two ways:

• It expands the conductor and the insulation around it. Eventually the insulation separates from the conductor, becomes brittle and will either break off or melt, exposing the live conductor.
• As the heat spreads through the conductor, atmospheric temperature cools parts of the conductor that are furthest away from the hot spot. The heating and cooling effect will cause moisture build up around the conductor and insulation, causing a path to ground.

A phase to phase or a phase to ground fault can cause serious damage and failure to exisiting electrical equipment. Not to mention:

• Damage to Production Equipment
• Loss of Production
• Dissatisfied Customers and Employees
• Law Suits
• Insurance Claims
• Personal Injury or Death

Need We Say More?
Applications:

• Power Distribution Lines
• Transformers
• Capacitor Banks
• Lightning Arrestors
• Circuit Breakers
• Conductors
• Splices
• Switches
• Load Centres
• Motor Control Centres
• Motors & Generators
• Contactors
• Terminations
• Switchgear Bus Connections

Our committment to you is to ensure the safe and efficient operation of your electrical system. Black & McDonald Field Service Division is comprised of a team of highly experienced engineers, power systems technologists and infrared technicians. We service a very diverse customer base, from large industrial and manufacturing plants, to retail and commercial facilities.

Technical Field Services has consistently proven its ability to serve customers by:

• Reducing and controlling unscheduled electrical interruptions.
• Ensuring proper maintenance and efficient operation of power and distribution systems.
• Protecting capital investments in long term assets.
• Providing planned budgets for system upgrades and repairs.
• Providing the customer with the most advanced resources and technologies in the power and engineering industry.
• Keeping the customer informed of the condition of their facilities electrical system.

Final Project Reports

• All reports are computer generated, allowing us to log and track the test results for future trend analysis.
• Our full color comprehensive reports contain:
  • the scope of work
  • a list of equipment inspected
  • all "As found/As Left" test results
  • thermal and visual reference images
  • recommendations for correction of deficiencies

Planning

• Nothing is required from the customer except his authorization to proceed
• No power outage is required. Therefore, the program can be completed at your leisure. (It is recommended that the inspection be performed when your facility is operating at its peak, either during hot summer months or cold winter months)