AiVibeQuality, Reliability & Maintenance
Infrared Thermography
Infrared thermography is a non-contact technique that uses thermal imaging cameras to measure surface temperature patterns, revealing abnormal heating in electrical, mechanical and process equipment that can indicate developing faults.
All objects emit infrared radiation that depends on their temperature and surface emissivity. A thermal imaging camera converts this radiation into an image in which temperature differences are visible. Inspectors look for hot spots or unusual patterns compared with similar equipment, ambient conditions or previous surveys. Accurate temperature measurement requires correct settings for emissivity, reflected apparent temperature, distance and atmospheric conditions.
In maintenance, thermography is widely used to inspect electrical panels, switchgear, connections, fuses, transformers and motor control centres for loose or corroded connections, overloads and imbalances. Mechanical applications include bearings, couplings, belts and gearboxes, and process applications include steam traps, refractory linings, insulation, tanks and heat exchangers. It is also used in building surveys and in non-destructive testing of composite materials.
Thermography sees only surface temperatures and needs a line of sight; shiny, low-emissivity surfaces such as bare metal reflect radiation and give misleading readings. Electrical inspections should be carried out under adequate load, and opening energised enclosures involves arc flash and shock hazards, so the work is governed by electrical safety regulations, site procedures and qualified personnel. Thermographers are commonly trained and certified under recognised schemes, and ISO 18434-1 gives general procedures for thermography in machine condition monitoring.
Key points
- Non-contact measurement of surface temperature patterns with thermal cameras.
- Finds loose connections, overloads, bearing problems and insulation defects.
- Emissivity, reflections and load conditions strongly affect results.
- ISO 18434-1 gives general thermography procedures for condition monitoring.
Where AiVibe comes in
AiAmbA AI Factory use cases include predictive maintenance and visual inspection on textile, automotive and electronics lines. AiAmbA IoT normalises industrial signals from protocols such as OPC UA and MQTT, with driver availability confirmed per installation.
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