17.3.3 Comparative measurement
For thermographic inspections of electrical installations a special method is used,
which is based on comparison of different objects, so-called measurement with a
reference. This simply means that you compare the three phases with each other.
This method needs systematic scanning of the three phases in parallel in order to
assess whether a point differs from the normal temperature pattern.
A normal temperature pattern means that current carrying components have a given
operation temperature shown in a certain color (or gray tone) on the display, which
is usually identical for all three phases under symmetrical load. Minor differences in
the color might occur in the current path, for example, at the junction of two different
materials, at increasing or decreasing conductor areas or on circuit breakers where
the current path is encapsulated.
The image below shows three fuses, the temperatures of which are very close to each
other. The inserted isotherm actually shows less than +2°C (+3.6°F) temperature
difference between the phases.
Different colors are usually the result if the phases are carrying an unsymmetrical
load. This difference in colors does not represent any overheating since this does not
occur locally but is spread along the whole phase.
10713203;a3
Figure 17.6 An isotherm in an infrared image of a fusebox
A ‘real’ hot spot, on the other hand, shows a rising temperature as you look closer
to the source of the heat. See the image below, where the profile (line) shows a
steadily increasing temperature up to about +93°C (+199°F) at the hot spot.
Publ. No. T559580 Rev. a486 – ENGLISH (EN) – November 17, 2010 99
17 – Introduction to thermographic inspections of electrical installations
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