Frequently Asked Questions   What is INFRARED THERMOGRAPHY? Infrared thermography is the technique of creating fully analysable images, from the thermal radiation given off by a subject, by means of an infrared camera. This image is called a thermogram as seen in applications. Is infrared thermography for me? If you are responsible for the prevention of, an unexpected breakdown, insulation failure or ultimately a fire, or if you are responsible for the planning of shutdowns, or risk management - then YES, there is no substitute for infrared thermography. I use a hand-held infrared meter, why do I need thermography? If you were the commander of a battalion and were expecting critical information from a trusty scout you sent into the field, you would make damn sure your sniper has 20/20 vision ie. "friend? enemy? friend? enemy?" these are not the type of questions you want your sniper to be asking himself before pulling the trigger.   In other words, knowing there is something hot in the region of the contactor ie. "coil? hot connection? burnt contacts? poor krimp on lug? phase imbalance? reflection from another heat source nearby?" similarly are the same questions your staff should not be asking themselves when a "hotspot" is detected using an IR spot meter. Digital Infrared Thermography and an experienced thermographer is the only solution to an effective infrared program.   KNOW THE SOURCE! I have had an infrared survey before, and wasn't that impressed, so what has changed? A combination of experience ,training, the latest technology and a world class reporting system that can be tailored to your specific application. Try a free demo of our services or a one-off survey of your site where if you are not happy with the results, the service is free. Do I get results immediately? Yes, any serious faults found will be reported immediately ,while you will recieve a full report either in hard-copy form or on CD within 5 working days. What must I specify as a minimum requirement when putting out a tender? 1.Thermographer must have a minimum of three years FULL TIME experience, and if elecrical cabinets are to be scanned, a "A-grade" license should be held. 2.Equipment must be digital (images recorded to disc ie.PCMCIA flash memory) 3.Results of critical faults must be presented to staff for immediate attention. 4.Report must list all cabinets or machines surveyed. What is emissivity? Not all materials emit thermal radiation in the same way, this is known as the emissivity of the subject. This value is a measure of the radiant energy emitted by a surface, the maximum value for emissivity is 1.0 eg. Glass = 0.92 @ 0 deg Celsius and Silver paint = 0.31 @ 25 deg Celsius. The emissivity can be compensated for by the camera so an accurate temperature can be taken.