COOLTOOLS
capabilities allow sharing images and
connection to Meterlink-enabled test
and measurement equipment.
The new line of IGM test and measurement products integrates thermal
imaging into traditional pieces of test
instruments, such as moisture meters and
clamp meters.
Ben Cabot, product manager at Milwaukee Tool, said a thermal imager
is a valuable tool anywhere that heat
or temperature variations can signify
a problem. The most common equipment inspected in these applications
are switchgear, breakers, bus ducts, fuse
clips, transformers and capacitors.
“Demand is heavily driven by the
decrease in cost of thermal-imaging
tools, making it justifiable for a much
broader set of uses,” Cabot said. “With the
decrease in cost, electrical contractors are
starting to look at leveraging the benefits
of thermal imaging with their service
teams. With the ability to equip more
teams with high-quality thermal imagers,
service managers can provide a new level
of service—essentially providing more
opportunities for proactive maintenance
before issues become problems. This bet-
ter protects facility stakeholders’ assets,
gives them peace of mind and builds
trust in the provider. It’s all about differ-
entiating service from competitors and
providing better service to customers.”
While there have been significant
improvements in image quality, tool size
and simplicity, one of the most notable
changes has been the price.
“The cost of thermal sensors has
gone down dramatically, allowing users
to purchase higher quality units for
much less than they could even two
years ago,” Cabot said. “This allows
users to get a full return on their invest-
ment much faster than they could in
years past, opening the door to a steady
increase in the adoption rate for thermal
imagers across the electrical trade. This
is especially relevant in the adoption of
thermal imagers for service technicians,
as already noted.”
Simplicity is important.
“Thermal imagers have the poten-
tial to be very technical and complex
tools, so, as contractors seek to provide
thermal imagers to service technicians
of varying experience levels, simplicity
is key,” he said. “Users are demanding
tools that are intuitive and simple to
understand so that they spend more
time doing work and less time learning
how to use the tool.”
Users also must evaluate the software
that comes with the tool, not just the
thermal imager alone.
“Capturing thermal images is just the
first step,” he said. “Users must also be
able to quickly analyze the data and summarize issues that are found easily.”
Milwaukee Tool offers two thermal
imager models: one with 160-by-120-
pixel imaging, a camera for standard
pictures and manual focus capabilities.
The 7,800-plus-pixel model has proprietary Dual Sense technology for superior
definition of hot and cold details in the
same image.
GRI F FI N, a construction and tools writer from Oklahoma City, can be reached at up-front@cox.net.
Thermal-imaging
training
As thermal-imaging equipment
becomes more complex to provide
a broader range of high-quality
imaging and information storage,
training becomes increasingly
essential. Some manufacturers
offer a variety of individual, group
and online training as well as third-party training services.
Fluke and Flir offer a variety
of hands-on and online training
options and third-party training.
Fluke, Flir and Milwaukee Tool
all use The Snell Group for third-
party Level I, II, III and specialty
training. Snell infrared training
classes are scheduled worldwide
on a regular basis. Customized
on-site infrared courses can be
arranged. Visit www.thesnellgroup.
com/infrared-training for more.
—J.G.
Flir CM174 600A AC/DC imaging clamp meter with infrared
guided measurement www.flir.com
