Infrared Business Tips & Insight

Infrared Business Tips & Insight Presenter: Jay Bowen, Infrared Training Center. With increasing energy costs, thermal imaging cameras have quickly become prevalent for commercial and residential building inspection. Understanding the process of applying thermography and performing surveys efficiently and profitably is covered. This session will explore the numerous applications for thermal imaging technology beyond inspecting building envelopes. Discovering markets and revenue streams that augment the infrared building inspection are discussed. Examples will be given for each application and the basic conditions required. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 2

Your Presenter Jay Bowen Electrician/ Engineer 32 years Thermographer 15 years Level III Master Electrician - Wisconsin Certified Electrical Inspector - Wisconsin Designer of Electrical Systems - Wisconsin Associate Degree Electronics Technology Electrical Contractor Business owner Involved in construction since 1977 Designed & Built one of the highest rated energy star homes in Wisconsin Green Bay, Wisconsin Packer Fan (season ticket holder), 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 5

Why IR Building Inspections? Building performance Insulation verification Locate air leakage Structural verification Moisture intrusion 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 6

What Can Infrared Thermography Find? Moisture Moisture Location(s) (Mapping) Evaluate Window Testing without Demolition Evaluate Roof Condition (ASTM C1153) Wall Condition Framing locations Pipe or duct locations Insulation Condition (ASTM C1060) Effectiveness (R values) Gaps Air infiltration Location of air infiltration during air test Electrical or Mechanical Problems 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 7

Seeing Through Walls??? Infrared cameras are NOT X-ray machines and cannot see through common materials. They image thermal energy from surface temperatures. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 8

Tools Blower Door Ammeter Anemometer FS Mirrors Moisture Meters Borescope 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 9

Topics to Understand The Electromagnetic Spectrum Infrared and Visible Spectrums Infrared Detection Devices Modes of Heat Transfer Radiation Conduction Convection Evaporation Thermal Capacity Thermal Image Interpretation Patterns Artifacts 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 10

Choosing a camera Choosing a camera from the many available is a complicated task. Identify some important parameters Define some of the terms 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 12

Camera Resolution Camera resolution is the ability for the camera to detect and measure targets of a specific size Expressed in a multitude of ways as IFOV MFOV SSR Do all of these terms mean the same thing? 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 13

Camera terms IFOV (instantaneous field of view) smallest object that an imager can detect ( see ) but not measure accurately, expressed in milliradians The instantaneous FOV (IFOV) is a measure of the spatial resolution of a camera's focal plane array (FPA) detector and stated in terms of individual detector elements or pixels. For example, an FPA with 120 x 120 individual detectors has a total of 14,400 pixels. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 14

Camera terms MFOV (measurement field of view). The smallest object that an imager can measure accurately, expressed in milliradians (usually a multiple of the IFOV of the camera) MFOV IFOV 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 15

Camera terms SSR (spot size ratio). Used to calculate the maximum distance one can be from the camera to an object of a specific size to accurately measure it. SSR = D s = 1 MFOV D s 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 16

Camera Selection Regardless of which parameter is being discussed, they are all dependent on the imagers detector: Pixel density of the detector 80 x 80 120 x 120 140 x 140 160 x 120 180 x 180 320 x 240 640 x 480 Angle view of the lens attached to the camera 12 24 45 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 17

Let s Use a Visual Example The Effects of Pixel Density Camera Resolution Can You Tell What This Is An Image Of? Camera Selection How About Now? Getting Any Better? Better Yet? Are We There Yet? The BEST Highest Resolution! 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 18

Camera Selection 80 x 80 Camera resolution differences 120 x 120 160 x 120 320 x 240 640 x 480 All images were captured at the same distance from the target 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 19

Camera Selection 80 x 80 200 x 150 120 x 120 320 x 240 All images were captured at the same distance from the target 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 20

Camera Selection 140 x 140 320 x 240 Additional framing from a removed window All images were captured at the same distance from the target 640 x 480 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 21

Camera Information IR image: a common size 200 x 150 pixels. Field of view depends on the distance between the camera and the scene. Visual image: 1536 x 1536 pixels (~2.3 mega pixels). How much can be seen in the image and resolved in detail. More pixel count generally means more detail from a given distance. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 22

Camera Specification Pixels (detector size) 140 x 140 Pixel size (IFOV) 2.10 mr Field of View (lens) 25º x 25º Focus NETD (sensitivity) Measurement Functions Close focus 0,12 m < 100 mk Spot, Alarm above/below, Dew point alarm, Insulation alarm Temperature Range(s) -20 C to 120 C, 0 C to 350 C Operating range - 15 C to 50 C Battery operating time ~ 5 h 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 23

Camera Specification Recommendations for a residential energy auditor: Detector not less than 120 x120. Low sensitivity but not higher than 100mK. FOV not less 20º. Pixel size or IFOV no larger than 3 mrad 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 24

Tip #2 - Lens Can the camera change lens? Common 25 Do I need additional lens? Telescopic 15 Wide 45 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 25

Lens Higher Res Lower Res Another reason for a lens is to capture a space or object in one image. Example shown; the space can t allow room to physically move further away to get this door in one image. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 27

Standards A technical standard is an established norm or requirement. It is usually a formal document that establishes uniform engineering or technical criteria, methods, processes and practices. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 28

Existing Standards - American ASTM C1060- [90 (2003)], Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavities of Frame Buildings ASTM E 1186 [03], Standard Practice for Air Leakage Site Detection in Building Envelopes and Air Barrier Systems ASTM C 1153-97 (Reapproved 2003), "Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging ASTM E 779 03, Standard Practice for Determining Air Leakage Rate By Fan Pressurization ANSI-ASHRAE 101: Application of Infrared Sensing. Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat. Loss Characteristics 800 RESNET Standard for Performance Testing 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 29

Tip #3 Delta T X2.1 Infrared inspection requires a sufficient difference in temperature from inside to outside ( T) for a sufficiently long period of time, to produce discernible differences between areas with studs and areas that may contain insulation. Indoor temp Outdoor temp Delta is "change". Delta T is (T in -T out ) 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 30

Delta T X2.2 Minimum temperature difference ( T) of 10 C (18 F) between interior and exterior surface or ambient air temperatures for a period of 4 h prior to test. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 31

Delta T Without a temperature difference the heat transfer through and around a wall does not occur and the image will lack contrast. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 32

Tip #4 Avoid Wind X2.3.2 Avoid Wind For exterior surveys, the wind speed should be less than 6.7 m/s (15 mph) and the building surface should be dry. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 33

Avoid Wind An inside look at a small interior deficiency Exterior is 20 F and interior is 70 F Refrigerator gap 0 minutes 30 minutes A 3mph wind was placed on this area 60 minutes 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 34

Tip #5 Solar Influences X2.3.1 Avoid Solar Radiation No direct solar radiation on the inspected surfaces for approximately 3 h previous to the inspection for light frame construction and approximately 8 h for masonry veneer construction. T greater than 10 C reduces these times. Direct sunlight and other strong sources of thermal radiation make discrimination of uninsulated areas unreliable. Exterior surveys should be performed after sunset and before sunrise for best results. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 35

Tip #6 Air Flow Air flow through a building can have a powerful impact on comfort, expense, and air quality. Blower doors provide a way to quantify air flow and the resulting heat loss, along with a way to pinpoint specific leaks. The benefits of their use have been understood and documented enough that most professionals now consider them essential for effective (and costeffective) air sealing. 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 39

Tip #8 - Reports This is typically the only part of process the customer sees. It must be accurate and timely It should be concise and direct and include pertinent information 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 47

Tip #9 An R Value Calculator Many Caveats to understand. Developed by Dr. Bob Madding of Infrared Training Center 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 50

How much does that cost me? No attic insulation ~R-3 Good attic insulation ~R-40 Assume 33X33 ft = 1000 sq ft Massachusetts weather Heating and AC Oil Heat 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 51

Energy savings estimate Enter Values Degree days found at: www.weatherdatadepot.com/dd.asp 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 52

Alternates to Auditing Electrical Mechanical Roofs Commissioning Quality control 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 54

Electrical Imaging Know your safety rules NFPA 70E specifically PPE criteria Know the equipment Fuses and breakers Oil filled vs. dry transformers Understand basic electrical knowledge Voltage levels Current relationship to resistance Understand thermography physics and science Reflection Emission Trefl or background Heat transfer Heat Capacity Material specific heats 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 55

Electrical Imaging Why is this GFCI receptacle normal? But this regular receptacle not? 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 57

Know your safety rules Approach and guarding Know the equipment Bearing and sleeves Valve types Understand basic mechanical knowledge Torque and speeds Fluid flow dynamics Mechanical Imaging Understand thermography physics and science Reflection Heat transfer Emission Heat Capacity Trefl or background Material specific heats 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 59

Roof Deck Imaging Know your safety rules Access and guarding Know the roof material and underlayment Insulation Deck type Understand thermography physics and science Reflection Emission Trefl or background Heat Capacity Heat Transfer 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 62

Summary There is an endless application list for thermal cameras and trained thermographers. Thank you and enjoy the thermal world!! 2010 Infrared Training Center. All rights reserved. Intended for use by Infrared Training Center customers and prospects only 71