Practical guide

Electrical thermography.

Maintain equipment, prevent damage, identify hazards. 1

2
Table of contents
Introduction 4

Where is electrical thermography used? 6

Possible areas of application 7

What does qualified electrical thermography require from a 8

thermal imager?

Detector resolution 10

Thermal and geometric resolution 11

What should electrical thermographers be able to do? 12

Certification: Expert for electrical thermography 13

What needs to be taken into account for quick inspections? 14

How should a qualified electrical thermography measurement 15

proceed?

What should be examined and how often? 17

What should you pay attention to in practice? 18

How are electrical thermal images evaluated? 20

What must thermography reports contain? 22

What are the limits of electrical thermography? 24

Conclusion 25

Info / sources 26

About Testo SE & Co. KG 28

3
Introduction
Electrical thermography can As an imaging measurement method,
prevent damage and avoid thermography enables the non-
operational failures. At the contact visual measurement of surface
same time, it requires expert temperatures on electrical equipment.
knowledge. What must the thermal This allows thermal weak points to
imager be able to do, what skills be localized and documented during
must the thermographer have? operation, under real operating
What advantages and possibilities conditions and from a safe distance
does electrical thermography offer with a single recording. This enables
and what sources of error lurk rapid early detection of problem areas
during recording and evaluation? and weak points, which minimizes fire
and accident hazards and prevents
consequential damage and production
downtime.

A thermal imager can be used to locate faults, maintain equipment, prevent damage and detect
hazards.

4
Documenting plant conditions Thermography also plays an important
and potential risks increases plant role with regard to insurance, as it
reliability and safeguards plant assets. can be a condition for the conclusion
Necessary repairs or modernizations of a contract and in some cases can
can also be better planned and also reduce premiums. In addition,
implemented. electrical thermography also creates
Thermography measurements are more legal certainty for the plant
part of today’s risk management operator through the documentation of
in companies. If you convert these the thermal condition of the examined
advantages into cost savings and equipment, as well as the computer-
compare them with the expenses for aided processing of the measurement
a thermographic examination, you results in the form of thermography
quickly arrive at a ratio of up to 20:1. reports.
If a fire or total failure of a production
plant is prevented by thermography,
and thus possibly millions in damage,
this value is multiplied.

5
Electrical thermography

Where is electrical thermography

used?

Since increased contact resistances Overheated components on these

and other faults manifest themselves parts of the system can not only cause
in the form of atypical heating, damage that can become a source
thermography can in principle be of danger for users or operating
used in all systems in which current- personnel and cause fires. They can
carrying conductors are located. That also lead to performance degradation,
is why thermal imagers are used in which can affect the long-term
many plant areas: profitability of plants. Faults can
- Low, medium and high voltage also be detected and rectified more
installations quickly, so that systems are up and
- Measurement and control cabinets running again in the shortest possible
- Fuse boxes time and operating downtimes are
- Cable trays minimized.
- Transformers
- Electrical machines As maintenance and servicing intervals
- Photovoltaic plants etc. are optimized, operating costs can
also be reduced, thus increasing the
reliability and cost-effectiveness of
plants. Thermography can also be
used in research and development -
for example, for the optimization of
electronic components.

Overheated electrical components can become

a significant source of danger and cause fires.

6
Possible areas of application
Testing high-voltage systems

Most symptoms of wear, material fatigue or

cable rupture in the transmission of electrical
current are preceded by thermal warming due
to increased resistance. Using the thermal
imagers from Testo, warming can be tested
without contact and from a safe distance, without
endangering the user or needing to shut down
the system.

Electrical maintenance of equipment

Faulty electrical connections or overload
conditions on electrical equipment can lead
to costly downtime. Regular inspection of all
electrical installations using a testo thermal
imager helps minimize the risk of a breakdown.
This enables the immediate and precise detection
of both existing defects and potential sources of
faults and danger.

Monitoring and checking solar and photovoltaic plants

In large photovoltaic plants regular and thorough
checks are essential, as a malfunction in a single
solar cell can already have a negative effect
on the yield of the overall plants. By means of
thermography, these checks can be carried out
over large areas efficiently and without contact.

7
Electrical thermography

What does qualified electrical

thermography require from a
thermal imager?
In professional electrical resolution) and/or for the lenses. It is
thermography, the quality of thermal recommended that a thermal imager
images plays a central role. That is for use in electrical thermography
why there are higher requirements for meets the following requirements:
the resolution of the infrared detector
(thermal, geometric and temporal

Feature Requirements

Detector format ≥ 320 x 240 pixels

Thermal resolution (NETD) ≤ 0.08 K at 86 °F (+30 °C)
Geometric resolution (IFOV) ≤ 2 mrad with normal lens (smallest measurable
object: ≤ 3 mm)
Accuracy/measured value ±2 % or 2 K
Temperature measuring range -4 to 932 °F (-20 to +500 °C)
Spectrum LW 7.5 to 14 μm
Frame rate ≥ 20 Hz
Lens Normal, wide-angle, telephoto lens, depending
on the measurement task
Display External or swiveling display is recommended

Adjustable measurement parameters Emissivity, reflected ambient temperature

Measurement functions Temperature range scale, 1 measuring point
(spot), 1 isotherm, 1 measuring spot, automatic
hotspot search function, freeze function
Calibration Annually

Thermal imagers testo 883 and testo 890 fulfil these requirements.

8
A thermal imager is used to examine fuses and connections in control cabinets.

Thermography makes surface temperatures visible.

The measurement location must be "thermographically accessible" and the measurement does not
work through glass or macrolon panes.

9
Electrical thermography

Detector resolution
Thermal imagers with high detector, thermal or geometric resolution provide better
image quality and more accurate readings. Below you can see a comparison of the
detector formats 160 x 120 (left graphic) and 640 x 480 (right graphic).

A revolutionary technology – testo SuperResolution

With testo SuperResolution technology, you can conveniently improve the image
quality of your Testo thermal imager by four times more pixels and the geometric
resolution by a factor of 1.6. testo SuperResolution uses the natural movements
of the hand, very rapidly taking images one after the other and slightly offset to
each other. These are real measured values, which are then combined from 5
recordings into one recording by means of an algorithm.

Standard thermal image SuperResolution thermal image

10
Thermal and geometric resolution

Thermal resolution
Thermal resolution (NETD) is specified in millikelvin (mk) and refers to the
smallest temperature difference that a thermal imager can detect. For objects
with small temperature differences, thermal resolution is therefore very important.
The smaller the value of the thermal resolution, the better the quality of the
measurement results.

Field of view (FOV) FOV

The field of view (FOV) of the thermal

imager describes the area visible with
30°
the thermal imager. It is dependent on
the lens used.

1 m

Geometric resolution
The geometric resolution (IFOV) describes the smallest object that can be
recorded by the imager system with its respective detector and lens, depending
on the measuring distance. It is indicated in milliradian. The size of this object
corresponds to one pixel on the thermal image.

Detector 80 x 60 160 x 120 320 x 240 640 x 480

Lens (FOV) 45° x 34° 32° x 23° 30° x 23° 42° x 32°

IFOV 10.3 mrad 3.3 mrad 1.7 mrad 1.13 mrad

3.3 ft. 0.4 in 0.13 in. 0.07 in. 0.04 in.
(1m) (10.3 mm) (3.3 mm) (1.7 mm) (1.13 mm)
16.4 ft. 2.03 in. 0.65 in. 0.33 in. 0.22 in.
(5m) (51.5 mm) (16.5 mm) (8.5 mm) (5.65 mm)
33 ft. 4.06 in. 1.3 in 0.67 in. 0.44 in
(10m) (103 mm) (33 mm) (17 mm) (11.3 mm)

Different geometric resolution of the imager systems.

11
Electrical thermography

What should electrical

thermographers be able to do?

Beyond the correct operation of the Contracting companies and the fire
imager, electrical thermographers protection insurance must be able to
should know the possible sources of rely on the measurements.
error and limitations of thermography, High demands are therefore placed
and correctly evaluate measurement on qualified electrical thermography
results. This requires specialist service providers: In addition to
knowledge of optics, thermal radiation, training as an electrician, proof of a
thermal conduction, measurement professional qualification in the form of
technology and materials science, certifications is required.
which can be acquired in seminars
or through self-study. Additional
knowledge of the mode of operation
and technical design of the respective
measurement object, materials used,
etc. is a prerequisite for the correct
evaluation of thermal anomalies. Often,
additional measurements must be
taken to determine other parameters,
such as operating currents by current
clamp. Therefore, the thermographer
must also be familiar with these
measurement tools.

Thermography of an electrical installation

including measurement of operating currents
by means of current clamp.

12
Certification: Expert for electrical
thermography

In order to maintain the quality of Both certifications are based on a

the professional qualification, it must five-day training course followed by
be reviewed regularly. Electrical an examination. Recertification is
installations should therefore only required for both experts in electrical
be examined by persons who, in thermography (IT 2 Elektro) and VdS-
accordance with the requirements of recognition after four and five years,
the insurance industry, can present respectively. If electrical systems
the certificate "Expert for Electrical are inspected in accordance with
thermography" (IT 2 Elektro) or VdS- the requirements of fire protection
recognized expert for electrical insurance companies, the VdS
thermography (see www.vath.de/ prescribes annual calibration of the
ausbildung/zertifizierung as well as imager technology.
expert interview, see below).

Certification as an expert VdS-approved expert for

for electrical thermog- electrical thermography
raphy
Duration of the course 5 days 5 days
Subsequent examination ✔ ✔
Recertification after 5 years 4 years
Additional requirements Annual calibration of the
-
imager technology

13
Electrical thermography

What needs to be taken into account

for quick inspections?

The following points should be such as heavy contamination,

observed for quick inspections of defective insulation, etc.
switching cabinets, fuse boxes, cable
- Opened electrical cabinets or
trays, etc.:
removed covers must be closed
- During the quick inspection, the again or reattached after the IR
safety distances must always be measurement.
observed.
- Any anomalies that endanger
- Carefully open or remove cabinets or operational safety must be reported
covers. If they cannot be opened, do immediately to the responsible
not use force and do not shake. persons.

- Electrical equipment should always

be inspected thermographically and
visually, in conjunction with current
measurement if necessary.

- The measurement should also take

into account non-thermal anomalies,

Open/close care-
fully

Check thermographically and

visually

Observe safety distance

14
How should a qualified electrical
thermography measurement proceed?

Within the scope of thermographic - Only after a safety briefing by the

measurement and detailed system plant operator or safety officer is
inspection by qualified electrical the inspection permitted and the
thermographers, the following points measurement can begin.
must be observed in detail:
- Measurements on electrical
- Thermographer (working systems may only be carried out
independently) and plant operator when accompanied by a qualified
determine the organizational electrician from the company. The
procedure. specialist removes any covers, if
necessary before the measurement
- In principle, the plant operator
date. In the case of possible pre-
should determine the inspection
runs, the switch cabinets must be
requirements, because he knows
closed to prevent cooling.
the plant best and knows which
plant components are essential for - During the IR measurement, the
ongoing operation, when which safety distances must always be
equipment is in operation and observed. Opened electrical cabinets
accessible. or removed covers must be closed
again or reattached by personnel
- When determining a suitable
responsible for the plant after the IR
measurement date, several factors
measurement.
should be taken into account,
e.g. the time of year (temperature
development), production cycles
or scheduled plant shutdowns. The
latter can be used to troubleshoot
the detected errors, if necessary.

15
Electrical thermography

- An electrical thermography test - Any anomalies that endanger

consists of an IR inspection operational safety must be reported
and visual inspection. Thermal to the responsible persons
anomalies should therefore always immediately and highlighted in the
be documented with a combination written documentation (see below).
of thermal image and visual image, The documentation should be
if necessary in conjunction with a prepared promptly and handed over
current measurement. to the client in printed form or as a
PDF file.
- Assessment criteria for thermal
anomalies must be agreed in
advance between the client and the
contractor and fixed in the quote.

- In parallel, a measurement log

should be kept in which non-thermal
anomalies should also be recorded,
such as heavy contamination,
defective insulation, electrical
cabinets that cannot be opened,
covers that have not been removed,
motor outlets that are not burdened,
etc.

16
What should be examined
and how often?

Electrical components and Annual examinations are

their connecting elements are recommended, if possible in addition
thermographically examined under to or in annual alternation with the
current load at all voltage levels, prescribed repeat examination.
mostly as a preventive inspection as Depending on the age, condition,
part of condition-based maintenance current load or importance of the
for early detection of thermal system, shorter or longer intervals
anomalies. The minimum current load may also be appropriate. All relevant
should be 30 percent, based on the plant components and equipment are
nominal load of the system (IB ≥ 30% examined, such as:
IN). New electrical installations should - Connection areas
be inspected under load before full - Contacts
operation is started in order to detect - Clamping equipment
possible installation faults at an early - Terminal strips
stage. Existing electrical systems - Connection areas and surfaces of
in public buildings, commercial and transformers, converters and engines
industrial businesses should be - Power cables and cable bundles etc.
inspected on a regular basis.

Existing electrical plants New electrical plants

Annual examinations Before the start of full operation

17
Electrical thermography

What should you pay attention to in

practice?

Electrical thermography is essentially Mainly due to a lack of

based on two physical effects: the experience, mismeasurements
heat emission of current flowing and misinterpretations occur
through conductors (current heat) and again and again in practice.
induction heat: For example, materials used in
electrical thermography behave
- Electrical current heat: Current
thermographically in completely
flow through a resistor results in
different ways: Non-conductors
ohmic dissipation. This causes
such as ceramics, plastics and other
a heating and temperature
insulating materials are good IR
increase proportional to the
emitters, so temperatures on these
contact resistance and the square
non-conductive surfaces can be
of the current load. Increased
measured well.
contact resistance can occur
due to insufficient conductor and
In contrast, bare metals cannot be
connection cross-sections, aging
measured at all without appropriate
and fatigue, pinched insulations or
preparation because the heat radiation
abraded coatings.
from surrounding objects is reflected
- Induction heat: This is based on the
on the object surface. As a result, the
heating of magnetic components,
object temperature is superimposed in
which can occur, for example,
the thermal image by the temperature
due to eddy current losses in an
reflections of surrounding objects. This
electromagnetic alternating field.
can lead to faults being overlooked
or heating being interpreted as faults
when they are in fact not. Experienced
thermographers therefore measure
with a field-proven emissivity.

18
Measurements are not performed on If the operating principles, loads,
bare, high-gloss surfaces or contacts. operating temperatures or installation
Dust deposits are also problematic, situations of a system are not
because on bare components they sufficiently known and are not
lead to a higher emissivity with higher adequately taken into account,
heat radiation. Safety covers made of this can also lead to incorrect
glass, Plexiglas or other transparent measurements and misinterpretations.
plastics also prevent correct IR Therefore, one should familiarize
measurement. They are transparent to oneself with the functioning and
the eye, but not to the thermal imager, thermal characteristics of a plant as
so you only measure the surface well as possible malfunctions.
temperature of the cover. If possible,
covers must therefore be removed
before measurement.

19
Electrical thermography

How are electrical thermal images

evaluated?

Without an evaluation, interpretation After the measurement, the detailed

and documentation by an expert, evaluation takes place in the office or
thermal images are only colourful even on site with the analysis software
pictures and thus worthless. Even included in the scope of delivery.
during the measurement, thermal It can display, modify, optimize,
images should be examined in organize, analyze thermal images on
advance to get a first impression of the PC monitor, contrast or overlay
the measured object or for plausibility them with visual photos, and compile
checks. For this initial on-site them into a thermography report.
evaluation, thermographic cameras
have several features that allow When analyzing with the help of
both the current and stored thermal the evaluation software, it must be
images to be reviewed in advance. ensured that the selected display
These include temperature scaling, a format of the temperature values is
measuring point and measuring area clear and meaningful with regard
display or the position and value of the to the measurement task set. The
min/max temperature. evaluation should be clear and
the thermal image should not be
overloaded. Proven temperature
criteria are measuring point and
measuring surface. In contrast,
histograms, temperature profiles or
isotherms are only useful for special
evaluations.

The thermal images should already be

examined during the recording.

20
When evaluating and interpreting the Noticeable temperature differences
thermograms, the operating conditions do not necessarily have to be a
(current load) of the examined problem in principle; conversely, even
equipment and plant components small temperature differences can
must always be taken into account. indicate serious defects. Therefore,
Likewise, it should be noted that electrotechnical expertise and
detected temperatures may be experience are just as important in
dangerous for certain equipment and the interpretation as, for example,
types, and normal for others. knowledge about the aging of
components and connections.

Evaluation using the PC analysis software testo Overlays of thermal image and real image can
IRSoft improve image orientation, so combinations of
thermal image and real image are useful.

21
Electrical thermography

What must thermography reports

contain?
Thermography reports or complete. The basic data of
documentation serve as a basis thermography reports include:
and decision-making aid for optimal - Client
planning, for example of repair and - Examined objects
maintenance measures, and must - Objectives
therefore be carried out very carefully. - Name of the thermographer and
The electronic recording of the thermal persons involved
condition of the examined equipment, - Test date
as well as the computer-aided - Thermal imager system applied with
processing of the measurement results optics used
in the form of thermography reports, - As well as any supplementary
help to ensure that the documentation measurement technology used.
to be kept by the operator as proof
or evidence in the event of normal The evaluation section should contain
operation or a malfunction, is process- the thermal images and visual photos
safe and legally reliable in case of from as identical a shooting angle
litigation. Professional thermography as possible, including the shooting
reports thus create more legal location, shooting date, shooting time
certainty. and file name. Detected defects or
hot spots should have a temperature
All measurement results are presented measurement point in the thermal
and summarized in a thermography image, keeping in mind that each hot
report. It consists of the test report, spot may have a different emission
the measurement protocol, lists of factor.
defects and the IR reports. These Other mandatory contents include a
contain the image documentation, description of the object (building,
including an evaluation of the load- hall, control cabinet, control panel,
dependent temperature values. component, etc.) and, if possible,
Thermography reports must be the load condition at the time of
understandable, plausible and measurement in amperes and/or as

22
a percentage of the maximum load. management of the thermal images
Further information includes existing after an inspection tour. This
temperatures of the defect location - eliminates mix-ups
and/or temperature differences - avoids evaluation errors
between defect locations and - saves time by eliminating the need
identical, thermally inconspicuous for manual image assignment on the
components with identical loads as PC.
well as a defect classification.

The measured temperature

distributions and temperature
gradients must be checked for the
term "thermal abnormality" under
various aspects, such as whether
the load is continuous, whether there
For repeated thermal imaging of measuring ob-
are deviating ambient conditions or
jects, SiteRecognition technology offers imme-
how high the packing density is in the diate recognition of measuring locations.

control cabinet. Therefore, individual

agreements must be made with the
client.

Especially in the case of recurring

measurement of the same installations,
the assignment of thermal images
must be carried out very carefully.
Support here is provided by a Testo
technology:
The testo SiteRecognition technology
takes care of the fully automated
recognition of the measuring With the included evaluation software, the
thermal images are compiled into a meaningful
location as well as the storage and and plausible thermography report.

23
Electrical thermography

What are the limits of electrical

thermography?

Electrical thermography has technical hazard protection covers cannot be

and system limitations. For example, inspected at all or only with a great
thermographic inspection of systems deal of effort. Defects caused by
with too low a current load is not contamination of the equipment may
useful because faults are hardly only become dangerous if hazardous
detectable. If the electrical current leakage currents are generated due to
during the test is too low in relation the degree of contamination or voltage
to the maximum possible current, overloads.
thermographic examinations are not
possible and the results cannot be With the thermographic examination,
evaluated. Therefore, there should be this defect may not be detected in
a minimum load of 30 percent based time. These examples make it clear
on the nominal load. In addition, it that electrical thermography is an
must always be taken into account effective means of increasing the
that defective equipment does not safety of electrical installations.
necessarily cause constantly higher However, both the possibilities and
temperatures and that a dangerous physical-technical limitations must
condition may only occur at high always be taken into account.
loads.

Defects within a piece of

equipment are also only detected
thermographically from the outside
when the heating that has occurred
inside has transferred to the surface of
the housing. Likewise, encapsulated
systems and systems with contact

24
Conclusion: Ideal supplement to
periodic inspection

Thermography has established and useful addition. Moreover, thermal

proven itself in the electrical industry images always represent only a
as a time-saving, economical and snapshot. For this reason, it is
modern measurement method. recommended that thermographic
Nevertheless, it is not a substitute inspections be carried out at regular
for recurring visual inspection, intervals, as this can additionally
function tests, current measurement, increase the statistical certainty of
etc. of electrical systems, but a detecting faults.

Thermal imagers from Testo

testo 883 testo 890

Infrared resolution 320 x 240 pixels 640 x 480 pixels

Thermal sensitivity < 40 mK < 40 mK at 86 °F (+30 °C)

Standard lens:
Standard lens:
1.13 mrad
1.7 mrad
Geometric resolution Telephoto lens: 0.42 mrad
Telephoto lens:
Super-telephoto lens:
0.7 mrad
0.18 mrad

25
Electrical thermography

More info on the web*

ASTM International (ASTM) ISO – The International Organization for
https://www.astm.org/ Standardization
ASNT – The American Society for Non https://www.iso.org/home.html
Destructive Testing (NDT) LETA – The Law Enforcement Thermographers’
https://www.asnt.org/ Association
IEC – The International Electrotechnical https://leta.org/
Commission OIML – The International Organization of Legal
https://www.iec.ch/homepage Metrology (Organisation Internationale de
Infraspection Institute Standards Métrologie Légale)
https://infraspection.com/infrared- https://www.oiml.org/en/
standards/

Literature/Sources*
 esto (Publ.): Practical guidebook
T Testo (Publ.): Practical Guide Thermography
"Thermography in preventive maintenance", for Photovoltaic Systems, Testo AG, self-
Testo AG, self-published, Lenzkirch, 2014, published, Lenzkirch, 2015, Download: https://
Download: www.testo.de/media/medien_ media.testo.com/media/69/da/eea8d60db98c/
deutschland/download/broschueren/ praxisratgeber-photovoltaik-2015.pdf
praxisratgeber-instandhaltung-2014-07.pdf
 esto (Publ.): Pixel number is a quality
T
criterion - Information for choosing a suitable
thermal imaging camera, Testo AG, self-
published, Lenzkirch, Download: https://
media.testo.com/media/f9/99/094362eeb32f/
Whitepaper-Pixelzahl-Qualittskriterium.pdf

*S
 election, without claim to completeness

26
 Regulations/sources
INTERNATIONAL

ISO 6781:1983 Thermal insulation — Qualitative detection of thermal irregularities in building envelopes — ASTM E1311 Standard Test Method for Minimum Detectable Temperature Difference for Thermal Imaging
Infrared method Specifies a qualitative method, by thermographic examination (infrared method), for detect- Systems This test method gives a measure of a thermal imaging system’s effectiveness for detecting a small
ing thermal irregularities in building envelopes. The method is used to identify wide variations in the thermal spot within a large background. Thus, it relates to the detection of small material defects such as voids, pits,
properties, including air tightness, of the components constituting the external envelopes of buildings. Does cracks, inclusions, and occlusions. MDTD values provide estimates of detection capability.
not apply to the determination of the degree of thermal insulation and air tightness of a structure.

ASTM C1371 Standard Test Method for Determination of Emittance of Materials Near Room Temperature
ISO 10878:2013 Non-destructive testing — Infrared thermography — Vocabulary Using Portable Emissometers This test method covers a technique for determination of the emittance of typ-
ical materials using a portable differential thermopile emissometer. The purpose of the test method is to pro-
Defines terms used in infrared thermography for non-destructive testing and forms a common basis for
vide a comparative means of quantifying the emittance of opaque, highly thermally conductive materials
standard general use.
near room temperature as a parameter in evaluating temperatures, heat flows, and derived thermal resist-
ances of materials.

UNITED STATES

ANSI-ASHRAE 101-1981 Application of Infrared Sensing Devices to the Assessment of Building Heat Loss This test method does not supplant Test Method C835, which is an absolute method for determination of
Characteristics. (Withdrawn 6/1989 because ASTM standard is preferred) total hemispherical emittance, or Test Method E408, which includes two comparative methods for determi-
nation of total normal emittance. Because of the unique construction of the portable emissometer, it can be
calibrated to measure the total hemispherical emittance. This is supported by comparison of emissometer
ASHRAE 105-2007 (Supersedes 105-1984) Standard Methods of Measuring and Expressing Building Energy measurements with those of Test Method C835.
Performance This standard is intended to foster a commonality in reporting the energy performance of exist-
ing or proposed buildings to facilitate comparison, design and operation improvements, and development
of building energy performance standards. It provides a consistent method of measuring, expressing, and ASTM E1311 Standard Test Method for Minimum Detectable Temperature Difference for Thermal Imag-
comparing the energy performance of buildings. This revision of ANSI/ASHRAE Standard 105-1984 provides ing Systems This test method covers the determination of the minimum detectable temperature differ-
a method of energy performance comparison that can be used for any building, proposed or existing, and ence (MDTD) capability of a compound observer-thermal imaging system as a function of the angle sub-
that allows different methods of energy analysis to be compared. Historically Standard 105 has provided a tended by the target.
basis for reporting energy use, with only limited ability to express or compare building energy performance.
This version of Standard 105 extends the reach considerably and is intended to provide a common basis for
reporting building energy use, expressions of energy performance, and comparisons of energy performance. ASTM E1543 Standard Test Method for Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference of Thermal Imaging Sys-
tems This test method gives an objective measure of the temperature sensitivity of a thermal imaging sys-
tem (relative to a standard reference filter) exclusive of a monitor, with emphasis on the detector(s) and pre-
ASNT-SNT-TC-1A recommendations for thermal/infrared testing, as established by the American Society for amplifier.
Non-Destructive Testing (ASNT). Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing (2006)
Note1—Test values obtained under idealized laboratory conditions may or may not correlate directly with
provides guidelines for employers wishing to establish in-house certification programs. SNT-TC-1A estab-
service performance.
lishes the general framework for a qualification and certification program. In addition, the document provides
recommended educational, experience and training requirements for the different test methods. This test method affords a convenient means for periodically monitoring the performance of a given ther-
mal imaging system.

ASTM C1046 Standard Practice for In-Situ Measurement of Heat Flux and Temperature on Building Enve- NETD relates to minimum resolvable temperature difference as described in Test Method E1213. Thus, an
lope Components This practice covers a technique for using heat flux transducers (HFTs) and temperature increase in NETD may be manifest as a loss of detail in imagery. Intercomparisons based solely on NETD fig-
transducers (TTs) in measurements of the in-situ dynamic or steady-state thermal behavior of opaque com- ures may be misleading.
ponents of building envelopes.
Note2—NETD depends on various factors such as spectral bandwidth and background temperature.
ASTM C1060 Standard Practice for Thermographic Inspection of Insulation Installations in Envelope Cavi-
ties of Frame Buildings This describes the techniques to conduct qualitative thermal inspections of building
walls, ceilings, roofs and floors that may contain insulation in the stud bays. ASTM E1862 Standard Test Methods for Measuring and Compensating for Reflected Temperature Using
Infrared Imaging Radiometers This test method describes procedures for measuring and compensating
for reflected temperature when measuring the surface temperature of a specimen with an infrared imag-
5.1 Although infrared imaging systems have the potential to determine many factors concerning the thermal ing radiometer.
performance of a wall, roof, floor, or ceiling, the emphasis in this practice is on determining whether insula-
tion is missing or whether an insulation installation is malfunctioning. Anomalous thermal images from other
apparent causes are not required to be recorded; however, if recorded as supplemental information, their ASTM E1897 -14(2018) Standard Test Methods for Measuring and Compensating for Transmittance of an
interpretation is capable of requiring procedures and techniques not presented in this practice. Attenuating Medium Using Infrared Imaging Radiometers The transmittance of an attenuating medium can
cause errors for an infrared thermographer using an infrared imaging radiometer to measure the temperature
of a specimen through the medium. Three test methods are given for measuring and compensating for this
ASTM C 1153 Standard Practice for Location of Wet Insulation in Roofing Systems Using Infrared Imaging error source. A test method is given for measuring the transmittance of an attenuating medium.
This describes the techniques used to determine the location of wet insulation in roofing systems.

ASTM E1933 Standard Test Methods for Measuring and Compensating for Emissivity Using Infrared Imag-
ASTM C1155 Standard Practice for Determining Thermal Resistance of Building Envelope Components from ing Radiometers This test method describe procedures for measuring and compensating for emissivity when
the In-Situ Data This practice covers how to obtain and use data from in-situ measurement of temperatures measuring the surface temperatures of a specimen with an infrared imaging radiometer.
and heat fluxes on building envelopes to compute thermal resistance. Thermal resistance is defined in Termi-
nology C168 in terms of steady-state conditions only.
ASTM E2018 Standard Guide for Property Condition Assessments: Baseline Property Condition Assessment
Process The purpose of this guide is to define good commercial and customary practice in the United States
ASTM D4788 Standard Test Method for Detecting Delaminations in Bridge Decks Using Infrared Thermogra- of America for conducting a baseline property condition assessment (PCA) of the improvements located on
phy This test method describes how infrared thermography is used for delamination determinations of port- a parcel of commercial real estate by performing a walk-through survey and conducting research as out-
land cement concrete bridge decks. lined within this guide.

ASTM E1213 Standard Test Method for Minimum Resolvable Temperature Difference for Thermal Imaging ASTM E2758-10 Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Wideband, Low Temperature Infrared Thermome-
Systems This test method describes the process to determine the minimum resolvable temperature differ- ters This guide covers electronic instruments intended for measurement of temperature by detecting inten-
ence (MRTD) capability of the compound observer thermal imaging system as a function of spatial frequency. sity of thermal radiation exchanged between the subject of measurement and the sensor. The devices cov-
ered by this guide are referred to as IR thermometers.

ASTM E1256 Standard Test Methods for Radiation Thermometers (Single Waveband Type) The methods
described in these tests can be utilized to evaluate the following six basic operational parameters of a radi-
ation thermometer (single waveband type): Section Calibration Accuracy 7 Repeatability 8 Target Size 9
Response Time 10 Warm-Up Time 11 Long-Term Drift.

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Electrical thermography

About Testo SE & Co. KG

Testo, with its headquarters in An average annual growth of over

Titisee in the Black Forest, Germany, 10% since the company’s foundation
is a world market leader in the in 1957 and a current turnover of 400
field of portable and stationary million euros impressively demonstrate
measurement solutions. In 37 that the Black Forest and high-tech
subsidiary companies around the systems go perfectly together. The
world, roughly 3400 employees work above-average investments in the
in research, development, production future of the company are also a
and marketing for the high-tech part of Testo’s recipe for success.
company. Customers all over the Testo invests about a tenth of its
world are impressed by the measuring annual global turnover in Research &
technology expert’s high-precision Development.
measuring instruments and innovative
solutions for the measurement
data management of the future.
Testo products help save time and More information at
resources, protect the environment www.testo.com
and human health and improve the
quality of goods and services.

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 Testo headquarters in Titisee-Neustadt/Germany.

Testo site in Lenzkirch/Germany.

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 Subject to change, including technical modifications.

Testo North America
40 White Lake Road
Sparta, NJ 07871
2981 423X/msp/08.2022

800-227-0729
[email protected]

www.testo.com
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