 Circuit
Breakers
 Transformers
 Switches
 Bus Plugs
 Motor Starters
 Fuses
 Switchgear
 Panelboards
Available: Monday - Friday 8 AM - 4:30 PM Central time
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INFRARED
SCANNING SERVICE
MIDWEST's Infrared Scanning Service, also known as Thermographic Scanning,
is the most powerful electrical maintenance tool available. MIDWEST has
provided Infrared Scanning services for over twenty years. Infrared is
used to locate defects and potential failures in electrical equipment by
scanning for abnormal hot spots and heating patterns. By finding
electrical problems manifested by heat, we are able to locate and repair
defects before they cause unscheduled power losses, equipment damage, or
even catastrophic equipment failures and possible personal injury.
Infrared Scanning is an extremely effective method of locating problems in
anything electrical that carries current. Here are examples of electrical
equipment successfully scanned with Infrared:
| Substations |
Switchgear |
Motor Control Centers |
| Transformers |
Circuit Breakers |
Cables, terminators, potheads |
| Bus Duct |
Bus Plugs |
Overhead Distribution Lines |
| Starters |
Contactors |
Transmission Lines |
| Power Panels |
Lighting Panels |
High Voltage equipment |
| Switches |
Controls |
Low voltage equipment |
MIDWEST's Infrared Scanning service has many other
applications, such as locating building roof leaks, detecting building
heat loss, finding flaws in Induction Heating equipment, and locating
defective steam traps. Any deficiency that is manifested by heat can be
Infrared Scanned. MIDWEST has even used Infrared Scanning for such exotic
projects as scanning the tires of race cars and the legs of injured
horses.
Advantages of Our Service
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Infrared Scanners The
state-of-the-art Infrared Scanners are compact and extremely
sensitive. The sophisticated microprocessor controls provide
immediate on-site analysis, immediate recording of the digital
infrared images, and further analysis of the infrared images after
leaving the equipment site. The analysis and recordings of the
infrared data is performed with the simple push of buttons. Digital
visible light images are recorded fast and accurately. The overall
ease of operation allows quick effective scanning and documentation
in dramatically reduced time. |
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Thermographers Our
Thermographers are highly trained and experienced in Infrared
Scanning. They are also Engineering Technicians with extensive
experience in maintaining, repairing and testing the electrical
equipment and switchgear that they scan. The unique combination
of training and hands-on experience is absolutely essential to a
successful Infrared Scanning Service. |
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Reports MIDWEST's
reports document problems using (1) Infrared Images, (2) Real-life
images, (3) Evaluations of the cause of a problem, (4) Determination
of the severity of a problem, (5) Temperature of the problem, (6)
Temperature difference from ambient and adjacent or similar
equipment, and (7) Recommendations for repair |
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Engineering MIDWEST
also has the equipment to perform repairs and to perform additional
engineering troubleshooting such as load analysis, harmonic
analysis, voltage drop analysis, and forensic analysis of damaged
equipment. |
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Ultrasonic Scanning MIDWEST performs Ultrasonic Scanning of high voltage equipment
during Infrared Scanning projects. Ultrasonic scanning is a powerful
service for detecting destructive corona and tracking on high
voltage and medium voltage electrical systems. This service will
find incipient failures that might otherwise not be found by visible
or infrared inspection. |
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Safety "Safety
First!" Our Thermographers have special safety equipment for
working near energized electrical equipment while Infrared Scanning.
They have received technical and hands-on safety training. They are
qualified per OSHA Part 29 Section 1910. They are required to
receive a minimum of 80 hours of additional training and
must follow MIDWEST's Safety and Drug Policies. |

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Click on question marks below to get answers to these frequently-asked questions.
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How is Infrared Thermography / Thermal Infrared Scanning used for Electrical Maintenance?
Most electrical equipment failures go through a stage where they give off heat before the actual physical failure takes place. Since infrared radiation is actually "heat" that is invisible to the human eye, we use Infrared Thermography, specifically an Infrared Scanner, to view heat to find electrical problems before failure occurs.
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How sensitive are the Infrared Thermography Scanners?
The Infrared Scanners MIDWEST uses are sensitive to 0.1 0 C. This permits detection of electrical problems long before they manifest symptoms that allow detection by any other method.
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How expensive is the Thermal Infrared Scanning and Infrared Thermography equipment?
Like many things, you get what you pay for. For Infrared Thermography, the good equipment is very expensive…the price of an expensive car or a cheap shack in the woods, depending on your tastes. For $50,000 you could buy very effective Infrared Scanning and Infrared Thermography equipment with the auxiliary equipment necessary for a nice system.
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So, where is the catch? Why don't more companies buy infrared scanning and Infrared Thermography equipment?
Buying Thermography equipment is the easy part. Reading the 'instructions' is the hard part. Actually, more important than the Infrared Scanning equipment is the Thermographer's knowledge of electrical equipment and switchgear; Knowledge of how electrical equipment works; How it is most likely to fail; The relative importance of differing levels of heat in the equipment; Classic Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA); And the best method to repair the defect or incipient failure.
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What are the dangers of Infrared Scanning electrical equipment and switchgear?
There are tremendous dangers associated with Infrared Scanning electrical equipment and switchgear. Most Infrared Thermography and Thermal Infrared Scanning is performed on "live front" energized equipment. A mistake could result in accidental contact with "live" parts and possible electrocution or permanent injury to the Thermographer. An electrical failure when accessing or scanning the equipment could result in catastrophic burns to the Thermographer from an arc flash; Possibly debilitating burns and permanent scaring; Possible blindness.
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Are there any rules covering Infrared Scanning electrical equipment?
OSHA Title 29, 1910.331-335, Safety Related Work Practices, has requirements for "Qualifying" Thermographers exposed to electrical hazards over 50 volts. The new NFPA 70E Standard for Electrical Safety Requirements for Employee Workplaces has very specific and serious criteria for protecting a Thermographer during the scanning service.
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