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Workshop highlights many uses of IR cameras

At a recent workshop cosponsored by Western and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association, utilities learned more about a technology that can increase system reliability and add value to customer service programs.

Those are high priorities for Western customers, so it is no surprise that more than 40 participants turned out for the May 19 infrared camera seminar at Tri-State headquarters in Westminster, Colo. Participants included representatives from large and small utilities, some with IR scanning experience and some who were picking up a camera for the first time. Several utilities brought along facility managers from their large key accounts.

Energy Services Representative Peggy Plate, of the Rocky Mountain region, organized the event in response to customer requests. “The camera is the most popular piece in our Equipment Loan Program,” she said. “As our customers have become aware of all its uses, they’ve wanted to learn more.”

Al Teal, director of marketing for Wheatland Rural Electric Association, was one of those asking for the training. “When I see something that is this useful to me, I want other utilities to know about it, too,” he said.

Technology offers across-the-board benefits
From the transmission system to small factories, IR cameras can identify hot spots and heat leaks before they turn into costly outages and breakdowns. That function alone is so valuable that Western recently launched a program to upgrade its own IR capabilities.

The week before the Tri-State workshop, several Western substation electricians attended an in-house training by EPRI Solutions. “We learned that a good IR program combined with visual inspections can catch up to 75 percent of potential substation equipment failures before they happen,” said RMR Technical Support Division Manager Chuck Miller, who participated in the training.

While anything that helps prevent power outages is valuable to consumers, home and facility audits yield direct benefits that customers can easily relate to. An IR scan can show homeowners energy leaks that are driving up their electric bills. C&I customers, especially those with big electric equipment systems, can cut operating costs with a power quality audit.

Audits are great for building customer relationships and managing loads, too. When utilities show their key accounts how to plug energy leaks and identify preventive maintenance opportunities, everybody wins.

Different features meet different needs
Many who attended the workshop already owned cameras or were considering buying one, noted Plate. The price of a camera generally ranges from $11k to more than $50k. “The lower priced models can often accomplish most of what utilities need,” said Plate. Each customer has specific needs and preferences for IR audits, so knowing more about the capabilities of popular models can help them make a decision, she added.

Camera manufacturers FLIR Systems and Mikron Infrared, Inc. were on hand to supply that information. The two vendors gave participants an overview of thermography, demonstrated their equipment on Tri-State’s electrical system, talked about different features and presented case studies.

Teal said, “I liked that both major vendors were there. We got to hear two different perspectives, instead of feeling like it was a sales pitch for one product.”

Wheatland has an active residential auditing program, Teal explained, and is considering purchasing its own camera. Right now, he borrows cameras from High Plains Power, Inc. or Western’s Equipment Loan Program.

Through the Equipment Loan Program, customers can test drive a selection of IR scanning tools ranging from the basic to the sophisticated. The simpler ISI models 91, 94 and 96 require less experience to operate. With the optional VCR, the user can make a video recording of heat leaks that homeowners can reference for repairs. The ISI models 380 and 2000 both come with an 8 mm VCR in the kit.

For more complicated inspections and experienced operators, several FLIR ThermaCAMs and the recently acquired Mikron TH7550 offer more options. These cameras save digital images to a PC memory stick.

Another useful tool for performing audits and spot maintenance is the infrared heat gun. It does not record images, but can be aimed at suspected hot spots to get a temperature reading.

Workshop sponsors needed
The day-long training session stirred interest in future workshops, with one customer suggesting eastern Nebraska as the next location. The vendors liked the format as well—FLIR and Mikron both offered to send representatives to other workshops in Western’s territory.

Western is looking for more utility partners to sponsor IR camera training. Regional Energy Services representatives will coordinate registration, schedule speakers and host the meetings. Utilities are asked to provide meeting space and marketing materials and support for the event.

If your utility is interested in sponsoring a training workshop for infrared cameras, or any other technology, call or email your Energy Services representative.