Tagged with 'Test & Measurement'

The MOM2 is a lightweight (1 kg), handheld Micro-ohmmeter. It measures up to 220 A test current, auto-ranging from 999 μohm to 1000 mohm FS. Rechargable batteries provide 2200 measurements for I min = 50 A, or 800 for I min = 100 A. Memory for 190 recorded measurements, downloadable via Bluetooth with provided software. Kelvin probes included.

A quick overview of the Flir E60 Thermal Imaging Camera including the supplied equipment, basic functionality and settings. The Flir E60 measures -20 to 650°C, IR and MSX resolution 320 x 240, 60 Hz. NETD 50 mK. 2x and 4x digital zoom. Visual image 3.1 MP, built-in LED lamps, laser locator, scalable IR picture-in-picture. Video recording, touch screen, composite video out, Wi-Fi, and USB. Infrared camera applications include electrical distribution, mechanical (belts, rollers, couplings, gaskets/seals, compressors etc), product development, HVAC/R, automotive. Bluetooth support for voice annotations and selected Extech equipment. PC software provided. Mobile app available.

How to determine failure levels for your batteries, the internal resistance measurement level, and cut-off voltage. Also gives a quick overview on setting up the Hioki 3554 Battery HiTester to conduct tests.

Takes on-the-spot measurements of the internal resistance, voltage and temperature of lead-acid batteries, principally for UPS and similar applications, without needing to shut off the battery. Instantaneous results, on a three-rank scale of Pass, Warning, or Fail, using a composite decision based on the internal resistance and the voltage. Resolution of 1 µohm, necessary for high capacity batteries (of at least 500 Ah). Includes Hioki 9460 clip type temperature leads. 

Infrared Solutions, Inc., a Fluke Company, has developed a new infrared technology called IR-Fusion™ that blends, pixel for pixel, visible and infrared images on a single display. This article describes the patent-pending, novel, low-cost approach to solving the parallax problem of combining images from separate visible and infrared optics.

From storm damage to every- day plumbing and roof leaks, moisture damage in residential and commercial buildings can be very expensive. The key is identifying and locating moisture problems before secondary damages escalate. Within the last few years, infrared cameras (thermal imagers) have become powerful tools for locating moisture problems in buildings. Instead of searching for moisture inch- by-inch with a moisture meter, an infrared camera provides the ability to scan an entire room in a matter of minutes. By locating the thermal changes from evaporative moisture cool- ing (EMC) in drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles, etc., inspectors can moisture map the entire building and isolate problems before providing an estimate for remediation. This article discusses the parameters and limitations when using infrared cameras to detect moisture inside buildings and homes.

"I have my thermal imaging camera. Now what do I do?"

In the past, establishing a preventive maintenance program has required a lot of tedious work and often just doesn’t work the way we think it should. The goal of a successful preventive maintenance program is to have easy access to historical data for each piece of critical equipment, so measurement trends can be monitored and maintenance downtime planned – preventing equipment down situations.

When a motor bearing fails, the motor heats up and lubrication begins to break down. The windings overheat and then the temperature sensor cuts out and stops the motor. Worst case, the shaft binds up, the rotor locks up and the motor fails completely.

Electric motors are the backbone of industry. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that in the U.S. alone there are 40 million motors operating in industry, and the fact that those motors use 70 % of the electricity consumed by industry indicates their importance.

Many industrial machines use gearboxes to alter and/or vary the standard speeds of electric motors. The lifeblood of any gearbox is the oil within it that lubricates the gears. If the oil level in a gearbox gets too low or loses its ability to lubricate, the gearbox will eventually fail, preceded by overheating. That’s where thermal imaging comes in.

Using a Fluke Ti20 Thermal Imager and a Fluke 975V AirMeter™ test tool, customers protect their servers by monitoring environments in rented data centers.

Contractors who restore buildings following water intrusion say that a thermal imager can be a time saver and a moneymaker, giving them a competitive edge and adding elements of professionalism and thoroughness to their offerings. “With a thermal imager, you can quickly pan through and find the five percent that’s wet. 

Today’s thermal imagers are rugged, easy to use, and much more affordable than even just a few years ago. They have become a realistic solution for everyday electrical maintenance. To use, a qualified technician or electrician points the thermal imager at the equipment in question and scans the immediate area, looking for unexpected hot spots.