anyone use thermal imaging cameras and software

[Mr POD]

http://isswww.co.uk/default.aspx?gclid=CP_jwNLP2JM...

Looking at buying a thermal imaging camera to check trace heating elements on Process plant. To make sure there are no hot spots, and thus reduce risk of fire.

Anyone use it, and got anything I can add to my justification ?


Oh and here's something I found to make you all laugh .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqRy5Df9SS4&fea...

[Lord Vladimir]

no idea but that camera looks fab - bet you look at someones groin with it the first time you use it...

[Mr POD]

Lord Vladimir said:

no idea but that camera looks fab - bet you look at someones groin with it the first time you use it...

If I do I'll post you the Jpegs !!!

[VX Foxy]

My brother sells this kind of stuff - although it's mostly industrial rather than hand held. This is the company he works for http://www.landinst.com/
I'll point him to this thread but don't hold your breath...
Also look at http://www.flirthermography.co.uk/

HTH

[Andrew[MG]]

^^ that looks like a lot of fun!

[Olf]

Permanently installed thermal imaging cameras (at least infra red cameras) are used widely in process industries for example to monitor flares and ensure either that they light when they are supposed to or that the pilots have not extinguished.

I can't tell you who normally supplies these but obviously you should be looking for suppliers who hold the correct hazardous area and ingress protection ratings.

Vendor wise a good example/starting point might be:

http://www.thermalimaging.co.uk/

or try Argus fire.

Just out of interest, surely on trace heating circuits either the individual circuits could be monitored for power consumption at the trace heating junction box or alternatively fused in an RCD stylee?

Edited by Olf on Thursday 12th June 10:01

Edited by Olf on Thursday 12th June 11:48

[Mr POD]

Olf said:

Just out of interest, surely on trace heating circuits either the individual circuits could be monitored for power consumption at the trace heating junction box or alternatively fused in an RCD stylee?

I'm a manufacturing Engineer by trade, and have only been in this company a few weeks, and TBH It's all new to me (which is good). I've inherited a project which involves looking at all sorts of safety and fire risks, and this is on the edge of the project.

You are right though, surely we must monitor the power consumption. I'll ask that question : The last near miss, smouldering of the insulation was because of an arcing, on a sharp pipe joint.

[Olf]

Mr POD said:

Olf said:

Just out of interest, surely on trace heating circuits either the individual circuits could be monitored for power consumption at the trace heating junction box or alternatively fused in an RCD stylee?

I'm a manufacturing Engineer by trade, and have only been in this company a few weeks, and TBH It's all new to me (which is good). I've inherited a project which involves looking at all sorts of safety and fire risks, and this is on the edge of the project.

You are right though, surely we must monitor the power consumption. I'll ask that question : The last near miss, smouldering of the insulation was because of an arcing, on a sharp pipe joint.

What type of trace heating are you using and who is installing it? It's a fine art as I'm sure you're aware.

Process industry uses people like Bartec.

Might be worth considering the problem at root and looking at the protection systems you have in place for current and temperature. The likelihood of you being in the right place at the right time with your hand hled camera and detecting the one hot spot that causes your fire is minimal at best!

Edited by Olf on Thursday 12th June 13:56