M Line – M.E.A.C.

Mechanical Installations

In many industries, mechanical systems serve as the backbone

of operations.

Thermal data collected with a thermal imaging camera can be

an invaluable source of complimentary information to vibration

studies in mechanical equipment monitoring.

Mechanical systems will heat up if there is a misalignment at

some point in the system.

Conveyor belts are a good example. If a roller is worn out, it will

clearly show in the thermal image so that it can be replaced.

Typically, when mechanical components become worn and less

efficient, the heat dissipated will increase. Consequently, the

temperature of faulty equipment or systems will increase rapidly

before failure.

By periodically comparing readings from a thermal imaging

camera with a machine’s temperature signature under normal

operating conditions, you can detect a multitude of different

failures.

Suspected roller Overheated bearing

This thermal image shows an electric engine under normal operation.

Motors can also be inspected with a thermal imaging camera.

Motor failures like brush contact-wear and armature shorts

typically produce excess heat prior to failure but remain

undetected with vibration analysis, since it often causes little

to no extra vibration. Thermal imaging gives a full overview and

allows you to compare the temperature of different motors.

Other mechanical systems monitored with thermal imaging

cameras include couplings, gearboxes, bearings, pumps,

compressors, belts, blowers and conveyor systems.

Examples of mechanical faults that can be detected with thermal

imaging are:

• Lubrication issues

• Misalignments

• Overheated motors

• Suspect rollers

• Overloaded pumps

• Overheated motor axles

• Hot bearings

These and other issues can be spotted at an early stage with

a thermal imaging camera. This will help to prevent costly

damages and to ensure the continuity of production.

Motor: Bearing Problem.

Motor: Internal Winding Problem.

References: Flir Systems

Electrical systems

Thermal imaging cameras are commonly used for inspections of

electrical systems and components in all sizes and shapes.

The multitude of possible applications for thermal imaging cameras

within the range of electrical systems can be divided into two

categories: high voltage and low voltage installations.

High voltage installations

Heat is an important factor in high voltage installations. When electrical

current passes through a resistive element, it generates heat. An

increased resistance results in an increase in heat.

Over time the resistance of electrical connections will increase, due

to loosening and corrosion for instance. The corresponding rise in

temperature can cause components to fail, resulting in unplanned

outages and even injuries. In addition, the energy spent on generating

heat causes unnecessary energy losses. If left unchecked, the heat

can even rise to the point where connections melt and break down; as

a result, fires may break out.

Examples of failures in high-voltage installations that can be detected

with thermal imaging:

• Oxidation of high voltage switches

• Overheated connections •

Incorrectly secured connections

• Insulator defects

These and other issues can be spotted at an early stage with a thermal

imaging camera. A thermal imaging camera will help you to accurately

locate the problem, determine the severity of the problem, and

establish the time frame in which the equipment should be repaired.

A wide view of a substation can quickly show areas where unwanted high

resistance connections exist. No other predictive maintenance technology is

as effective for electrical inspections as thermal imaging.

One of the many advantages of thermal imaging is the ability to perform

inspections while electrical systems are under load. Since thermal imaging

is a non-contact diagnostic method, a thermographer can quickly scan a

particular piece of equipment from a safe distance, leave the hazardous

area, return to his office and analyze the data without ever putting himself

in harm’s way.

Thermal imaging cameras allow you to inspect high voltage installations

from a safe distance, increasing worker safety.

Continuity is very important to utilities since many people rely on their

services. Therefore thermal imaging inspections have become the core of

utility predictive maintenance programs throughout the world.

Thermal imaging cameras are used for inspections of electrical systems and

components in all sizes and shapes and their use is by no means limited to

large high voltage applications alone.

Electrical cabinets and motor control centers are regularly scanned with

a thermal imaging camera. If left unchecked, heat can rise to a point that

connections melt and break down; as a result, fires may break out.

Besides loose connections, electrical systems suffer from load imbalances,

corrosion, and increases in impedance to current. Thermal inspections can

quickly locate hot spots, determine the severity of the problem, and help

establish the time frame in which the equipment should be repaired.

Examples of failures in low voltage equipment that can be detected with

thermal imaging:

• High resistance connections

• Corroded connections

• Internal fuse damage

• Internal circuit breaker faults

• Poor connections and internal damage

These and other issues can be spotted at an early stage with a thermal

imaging camera. This will help to prevent costly damages and to avoid

dangerous situations.

Whether you intend to use thermal imaging cameras for

low voltage inspections in production plants, office facilities,

hospitals, hotels or domestic residences, FLIR Systems has

exactly the right thermal imaging camera for the job.

References: Flir Systems

Powerful Microprocessor-Based Lighting Control Panels

Automated Logic’s Lighting Control (LC) line brings the power and simplicity of WebCTRL® to your building’s lighting systems. The LC line utilizes advanced microprocessors to provide superior lighting control, while delivering the rapid response required by lighting applications.

Zone Controller

Automated Logic’s ZN551 provides unprecedented power and flexibility through fully programmable networked controllers. The ZN551 controllers connect to the Building Automation System (BAS) network using BACnet over ARCNET 156 kbps or MS/TP. The ZN551 supports a line of RS room sensors using Rnet port

Zone Controller

Automated Logic’s ZN253 provides unprecedented power and flexibility through fully programmable networked controllers. The ZN253 controllers connect to the Building Automation System (BAS) network using BACnet over ARCNET 156 kbps or MS/TP. The ZN253 supports a line of RS room sensors using its Rnet port.

Zone Controller

Automated Logic’s ZN220 provides unprecedented power and flexibility through fully programmable networked controllers. The ZN220 controllers connect to the Building Automation System (BAS) network using BACnet over ARCNET 156 kbps or MS/TP. The ZN220 supports a line of RS room sensors using its Rnet port.

Rugged Flexibility for Single Equipment Applications

Automated Logic’s powerful SE line provides a rugged solution for single equipment applications. Designed to operate in a wide range of environmental conditions, SE controllers can be used in rooftop units, mechanical rooms, equipment closets, or almost any other weather tight location. Fully programmable using the EIKON® graphic programming language, SE controllers use native BACnet communications over either a high-speed ARCNET 156 kbps network or a medium speed MS/TP network to provide maximum flexibility and interoperability.

Powerful Gateway

Automated Logic’s Equipment Portal (EQ-PRTL) sets a new standard for integrating other manufacturers’ equipment into WebCTRL®. EQ-PRTL is a powerful gateway to a single piece of equipment /device using proprietary or open protocols such as Modbus and LonWorks. Support for BACnet® over ARCNET 156 kbps and MS/TP communications are standard.

Characteristics

Introduction To Building Management Systems

A BMS is most common in a large building. Its core function is to manage the environment within the building and may control temperature, carbon dioxide levels and humidity within a building. As a core function in most BMS systems, it controls heating and cooling, manages the systems that distribute this air throughout the building (for example by operating fans or opening/closing dampers), and then locally controls the mixture of heating and cooling to achieve the desired room temperature. A secondary function sometimes is to monitor the level of human-generated CO2, mixing in outside air with waste air to increase the amount of oxygen while also minimising heat/cooling losses.

Systems linked to a BMS typically represent 40% of a building\\\’s energy usage; if lighting is included, this number approaches 70%. BMS systems are a critical component to managing energy demand. Improperly configured BMS systems are believed to account for 20% of building energy usage, or approximately 8% of total energy usage in the United States.[citation needed]

As well as controlling the building\\\’s internal environment, BMS systems are sometimes linked to access control (turnstiles and access doors controlling who is allowed access and egress to the building) or other security systems such as closed-circuit television (CCTV) and motion detectors. Fire alarm systems and elevators are also sometimes linked to a BMS, for example, if a fire is detected then the system could shut off dampers in the ventilation system to stop smoke spreading and send all the elevators to the ground floor and park them to prevent people from using them in the event of a fire.

Functions of Building Management Systems

The three basic functions of a central, computer-controlled BMS are:

• controlling

• monitoring

• optimizing

the building’s facilities, mechanical, and electrical equipment for comfort, safety, and efficiency.

A BMS normally comprises of:

• Power systems

• Illumination system

• Electric power control system

• Heating,Ventilation and Air-conditioning HVAC System

• Security and observation system

• Magnetic card and access system

• Fire alarm system

• Lifts, elevators etc.

• Plumbing system

• Burglar alarms, CCTV

• Trace Heating

• Other engineering systems

• Home Automation System

• Fire alarm and Safety system

Benefits of BMS

Building tenant/occupants

• Good control of internal comfort conditions

• Possibility of individual room control

• Increased staff productivity

• Effective monitoring and targeting of energy consumption

• Improved plant reliability and life

• Effective response to HVAC-related complaints

• Save time and money during the maintenance

Building owner

• Higher rental value

• Flexibility on change of building use

• Individual tenant billing for services facilities manager

• Central or remote control and monitoring of building

• Increased level of comfort and time saving

• Remote Monitoring of the plants (such as AHU\\\’s, Fire pumps, plumbing pumps, Electrical supply, STP, WTP etc.)

Maintenance Companies

• Ease of information availability problem

• Computerized maintenance scheduling

• Effective use of maintenance staff

• Early detection of problems

• More satisfied occupants

References

Wikipedia