Tip of the Week

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Tip written by: Infraspection Institute

Ambient temperature is a term which appears in nearly all thermographic reports. However, many thermographers define ambient differently. Some define it as room air temperature while others define it as the temperature inside of the component enclosure.

According to the IEEE, for electrical components ambient temperature is the environmental temperature immediately surrounding the subject component. For devices located within enclosures, this is the temperature within the enclosure while it is closed and operating. For components in free air, it is the temperature surrounding the component.

Over the past forty years, several entities have developed repair priority guides for determining the severity of detected thermal anomalies in electrical systems. All of these guidelines specify temperature rises; however, most do not specify whether the reference is a similar component or ambient air temperature thus leaving the choice up to the thermographer. Prior to conducting an infrared inspection, thermographers should determine whether to use ambient temperature or a similar component for their reference temperature. In many cases, a similar component will provide a more meaningful reference than ambient air temperature.

Infrared inspection of electrical distribution systems is one of the many topics covered in the Level I Infraspection Institute Certified Infrared Thermographer® training course. For information on thermographer training or to obtain a copy of the Standard for Infrared Inspection of Electrical Systems & Rotating Equipment, visit us online at: www.infraspection.com or call us at 609-239-4788.

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