Newsletter Archive – January 2016

Volume 5 Issue 1 January 2016

Director’s Message

Since its earliest usage, English has been a dynamic language that is constantly evolving; however, a recent announcement seems to challenge even conventional boundaries.

For the first time ever, the Oxford Dictionaries Word of the Year is a pictograph: . Although it is officially called the ‘Face with Tears of Joy’ emoji, you may know it by other names. There were other strong contenders from a range of fields, but was chosen by Oxford as the ‘word’ that best reflected the ethos, mood, and preoccupations of 2015.
Similar to English, thermography is a technology that is constantly evolving. The number of applications for thermal imaging continues to expand along with pertinent standards. Presently, the number of products from manufacturers of hardware and software is at an all-time high. Increased public awareness of thermal imaging has raised the expectations of consumers and those who use thermal imaging in-house.

With these challenges in mind, it is incumbent upon thermographers to keep pace with changes in our industry. As you make plans for the upcoming months, consider taking a refresher course, advancing your training to the next level, or joining us at this month’s IR/INFO Conference.

SuccessIRies 103 – Starting, Marketing, and Managing an Infrared Consulting Company

As the science of thermography expands, it continues to attract individuals and companies looking for business opportunities. Despite the acceptance of thermography, many companies struggle or fail at their attempts in offering this proven technology. Success in any consulting business requires a combination of technical and business skills, and thermography is no exception.
Part of Infraspection Institute’s distance learning program, SuccessIRies 103 is intended for anyone wishing to start an infrared consulting business or to expand the service offerings of an established business. This course focuses on the fundamentals required to start, market, and maintain an infrared consulting company.

This course is designed for beginners and experienced thermographers. Course is 40 minutes long and may be accessed 24/7 from a standard web browser or a smart device.
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Measuring Motor Temperatures

Measuring motor temperature is often a challenge since electric motors differ widely in their design and construction. While many have suggested measuring the motor casing along the stator, this method does not work well for motors that are fan cooled or exposed to external air currents. For uncooled motors, this approach can produce varying temperature values depending upon the location of the subject temperature readings.

In 1997, a research project led by Infraspection Institute utilized instrumented motors in a controlled environment to determine the effect of excess force on installed motors. One of the primary goals of this research was to identify a location for collecting reliable temperature data.

From our research it was found that measuring the exterior of the motor bellhousing within 1″ of the output driveshaft consistently produced temperatures that were within 1 to 2 Celsius degrees of the motor windings and the inboard bearing assembly. Temperatures taken at the bellhousing were especially useful for fan-cooled motors since this area was unaffected by convective cooling from the fan.

When measuring motor temperatures, keep the following in mind:

  • Make certain that all thermometers are within calibration and used properly
  • Motor temperature will vary with load and ambient temperature. Be certain to record both along with motor temperature
  • Elevated temperatures can be caused by electrical or mechanical defects within the motor and/or defective installations
  • Motors having an elevated temperature should be further investigated for cause and repaired or replaced accordingly
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Attend IR/INFO and Get FREE Training

In celebration of IR/INFO’s 27th anniversary, Infraspection Institute are pleased to announce a special offer combining the world’s most respected infrared training and certification program with the industry’s original technical conference.

Attend IR/INFO and receive a tuition voucher for up to 100% discount on a 2016 Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course.
Special offers may not be combined with any other discount. Training course vouchers must be used by 12/31/16. Tuition vouchers are transferable to a third party for a $500 administrative fee.
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