An infrared camera is a very effective tool to detect people infected with a viral disease at a very early stage. Leading this technology are FLIR Infrared cameras developed in Sweden.  Several major airports in Asia discovered the benefit of infrared cameras in conjunction with the outbreak of  SARS a couple of years ago. They now use FLIR infrared cameras to scan whether arriving travelers can be contaminated with the ´N1H1 virus – the correct name of the virus behind the Swine Flu.

The infrared cameras used at the airports are specifically developed to detect individuals with high body temperatures in only a
couple of seconds. The cameras have been developed based on experience from previous Flu outbreaks such as SARS and Bird Flu
and are present in many airports in South East Asia, where the presence and threat of Bird Flu was the highest.

The camera produces infrared images or heat pictures of a person’s face and detects  whether the body temperature exceeds a
certain value or not. The symptoms of Swine Flu are sore throat, nausea, cough and of course fever.

“The aim is to efficiently identify and differentiate  individuals in good health from individuals with fever who might be
contaminated with the Swine Flu. After that, further medical analyses within the Public Health care will determine whether it is
Swine Flu or not”, says Arne Almerfors, Vice President FLIR Thermography.

The infrared cameras are very easy to use and have proven themselves as tools that can be operated by non-specialists after a few
hours of training.

“The camera needs no active monitoring as it has both color and sound alarm functions making staff aware of any passing
individuals with a body temperature exceeding a predefined value. On the camera display an infrared image of the individuals face
is produced, clearly marking different temperature areas as different colors. The highest temperature spot will be automatically
displayed and measured with one decimal accuracy”, says Arne Almerfors.

The infrared cameras from FLIR are very sensitive devices and measure temperature differences as small as 0.08 ºC. Ideally the
camera is set up at places with long queues such as passport or customs control. To achieve the correct temperature the camera
should focus on the most reliable temperature spot on the body – the corner of the eyes. Infrared cameras can play a vital role in
the efforts of keeping the spread of the Swine Flu or any other viral infection under control.

- Infrared cameras can be used in any environment where large numbers of  people are passing or staying, such as airports, train
stations, the underground or building lobby’s. “An infrared camera enables a quick and accurate identification of individuals that
might be infected by the virus”, says Arne Almerfors.

More details regarding Infrared cameras for temperature scanning, and Infrared images showing subjects with high body
temperatures can be found at http://www.flir-press.com/swineflu.html

Greg Bork, president of FLIR Systems Canada, commented about their participation in the upcoming event, “We’re excited to be attending MCEE, especially with the combined participation of two major trade events. At FLIR, we’re discovering that the current economic conditions have made the wide-ranging line of Extech test and measurement instruments all the more relevant for master HVAC and mechanical contractors who need to get the job done while sticking to their budget for durable, high quality tools.” Bork added, “Some customers will always shop by brand, but more and more test equipment buyers are doing their homework, comparing specs and product reviews before opening their wallets. These professionals invariably discover the unbeatable value of Extech’s robust testers and meters.”

Affordable Thermal Imaging: The $1,995 Extech i5 Infrared Camera

Designed with legendary FLIR Systems technology, the Extech i5 compact infrared camera is an easy-to-use and affordable troubleshooting tool for high quality thermal imaging. With 2% accuracy and focus-free viewing, the Extech i5 helps electrical contractors find overheating in electrical panels and transformers. HVAC and mechanical professionals use Extech i5 imagers to monitor motors, fans, steam traps, and bearings as a key part of predictive maintenance. At $1,995, the Extech i5 shatters price/performance barriers as the most cost-effective thermal imaging camera on the market.

6,400 pixel IR resolution and a large 2.8″ color display pinpoint problems fast, critical for plant-wide condition monitoring. The ergonomic, pocket-sized 12 oz. design is double-molded and splashproof, making it as rugged as it is lightweight. With 5,000 image storage in the easy-to-share JPEG format, the Extech i5 helps users report compelling findings before they become hazardous and/or expensive. In this economy, you can’t afford not to have one.

About Extech’s Affordable, Award-Winning Test Equipment for the Mechanical, HVAC, Electrical, Lighting and Industrial Markets

Thanks to FLIR Systems’ Canadian distribution of Extech’s line, HVAC/R, mechanical, electrical, and plant/MRO professionals in Canada now have a choice when it comes to choosing high-quality and affordable test and measurement equipment. Extech’s patented, built-in infrared technology can be found in their durable and accurate digital multimeters (DMMs), clamp-on meters, tachometers, thermometers, plus over 300 other precision test instruments.

For example, winner of the Gold Industrial Electronics Innovation and Technology Award, Extech’s EX623 5-in-1 clamp meter is specifically designed for HVAC/R and electrical professionals in residential, commercial, institutional, and industrial settings. The EX623 accurately measures AC and DC current, voltage, and temperatures for troubleshooting both new installations and preventive/ongoing maintenance and repairs. No other clamp meter offers the convenience and versatility of 5 meters in one instrument: AC/DC clamp meter; advanced, True RMS multimeter; infrared thermometer (Extech-patented); non-contact voltage detector; and dual Type-K thermometer. Get more done with a 5-in-1!

To learn more visit the complete Extech catalog.

Extech Handheld Gas Detectors Used to Find Leaks Fast

In the past three months, three homes in Massachusetts succumbed to explosions due to natural gas leaks. In the aftermath, two individuals died and a third was severely injured. According to a February 21, 2009 report in the Boston Globe, “Nationally, between 1998 and 2008, 323 people died and 1,341 were injured as the result of gas leaks or explosions, according to the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. Over the same period in Massachusetts, six people died and 12 were injured as a result of leaks and explosions.”

Extech EzFlex Combustible Gas Detector

While the three recent Massachusetts house explosion incidents do not appear to be linked in the eyes of officials and investigators, the increased frequency has raised concerns among gas customers and industry analysts that thousands of miles of gas pipelines and utility lines may be corroding, increasingly becoming prone to leaks. Such a potential public hazard endangers not only the lives of those in homes but also workers in business and industrial sites.

How Extech Gas Leak Detectors Can Help

As the awareness of the hazards of natural gas leaks increases, professionals in utilities, facilities maintenance, and public safety, as well as individual consumers, are using Extech’s compact, handheld gas leak detectors to quickly pinpoint the source of leaks.

For individuals who are responsible for finding gas leaks in structures such as plants, factories, schools, office buildings, and homes, or leaks in equipment that store or use gas, a gas leak detector is one of the most important tools available. These compact, handheld devices quickly identify and pinpoint gas leaks. The Extech EzFlex™ Combustible Gas Detector (model EZ40) features a flexible 16″ gooseneck for easy access into hard to reach locations. The EZ40’s adjustable sensitivity enables a user to listen to a ticking tone that increases in frequency as the user gets closer to the source of the leak. When gas levels reach 10% (Lower Explosive Limit), a warbling alarm and blinking LED are triggered.

For more general purpose use, troubleshooting gas leaks in smaller, natural and propane gas containers used with items such as soldering torches, lighters, and camping equipment, the pen-sized FG100 model from Extech is particularly versatile. The highly sensitive detector alerts users with audible and visual alarms. And, with a convenient pocket clip, the FG100 detector fits easily in a shirt pocket.

Tips for Responding to a Gas Leak

Public officials and utility representatives emphasize that gas explosion incidents are very, very rare, and have actually declined significantly in the last decade. Still, it is important to prepare a responsive approach to gas leaks in homes as well as business and industrial buildings.

Here are key points to remember if you suspect a gas leak:

• Since natural gas is colorless and odorless, a strong and distinctive scent is added, similar to rotten eggs, to make gas leaks easier to notice.
• If you can smell gas, do not use anything electrical, including light switches and telephones, nor anything that could create a flame or spark.
• Alert others and get out of the building as quickly as possible.
• Away from the building, contact emergency authorities or the gas utility immediately. Many states have strict requirements that utilities must respond to such calls in 60 minutes or less. In workplace plant settings, notify your plant manager immediately.
• Add emergency contact numbers to your cell phone contact list now for easy reference in an emergency.
• For professionals investigating gas leaks, a handheld gas detector that couples high sensitivity with both audio and visual alerts can help pinpoint the source of leaks expediently.

The two detectors listed above retail for $99.99 (EZ40) and $59.99 (FG100). For additional product specifications and applications, visit Extech.

Point #1: Buy an infrared camera that delivers accurate, repeatable results.

This may sound like a no-brainer, but if ever the phrase caveat emptor –i.e. “let the buyer beware” – it is here!

Point #2: Buy an infrared camera with high detector resolution/image quality.

Just like buying a digital camera, the more pixels, the better the resolution, and the sharper the thermal image.

Point #3: Buy an infrared camera where you can change the battery yourself.

This is one of the most important aspects of usability after you buy your new infrared camera. It’s also one of those items that is hard to process until after you’ve been working with your camera for awhile and you realize what a limitation it is if you can’t change your own battery.

Point #4: Buy an infrared camera that outputs standard JPEG format.

This point is short on text to explain, but long on being a clear benefit to end-users. Would you buy a computer that wasn’t Microsoft Word compatible? Of course not. You shouldn’t buy an infrared camera that requires additional software in order to convert their proprietary thermal image formats into a standard jpeg.

Point #5: Buy a lightweight, ergonomic infrared camera.

Material sciences, manufacturing robotics, and other key engineering factors will literally weigh on your decision of what infrared camera to purchase.

Point #6: Buy an infrared camera that incorporates a mega pixel visual camera with a built-in illuminator lamp to help clearly document your work.

Infrared cameras see in total darkness but visual cameras, as we all know, require well lighted conditions and high resolution to generate clear, sharp pictures.

Point #7: Buy an infrared camera with a built-in laser pointer.

Safety, convenience and ease-of-use are all good reasons to buy an infrared camera with a built-in laser pointer. These tend to be available on all cameras, except for the most basic, entry level models.

Point #8: Buy an infrared camera with software upgrade potential.

Today, most infrared cameras come with free software to help you analyze your images and create reports. By all accounts, they are a helpful tool made all the more necessary by both the corporate need to document findings, but also increasingly to use thermal images and reports to substantiate or trigger insurance claims, while the reports themselves are often sold to commercial and consumer customers for a wide range of inspections: energy audits, electrical inspections, gas detection surveys, building envelope analyses and predictive maintenance surveys.

Point #9: Buy an infrared camera with enhanced image fusion capabilities.

There’s been a lot of buzz about fusion capabilities with infrared cameras. Our thinking on fusion is if it doesn’t offer you more than just putting a fixed Picture-in-Picture (PiP) thermal overlay “box” over your visible image, then it may be more useful not to have it at all.

Point #10: Buy an infrared camera with a wide temperature range.

Here’s an easy one. When you buy an infrared camera, be sure that the temperature range it operates in is sufficient with the temperatures of the targets you will be viewing.

Point #11: Buy an infrared camera with upgrade potential

This is a no-brainer for any product you buy. This author is always trying to be sure that what I buy has an upgrade path or some type of formal trade-in/trade-up program.

Point #12: Buy an infrared camera from a manufacturer with strong post-sale technical support and certified training.

If you are new to the field of infrared cameras, you will obviously want to think about customer service and technical support after you’ve purchased.

Download the complete 12 Things To Know Before Buying an Infrared Camera (pdf).

If you have any questions give us a call (760) 444-0032 or shoot us an email contact [@} texsoinstruments.com.

Source: Flir Thermal Imagers

Arc Flash Protective Personal Equipment (PPE)

Arc Flash Protection

Personal protective equipment, or PPE is designed to protect employees from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards. Besides face shields, safety glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes, personal protective equipment, or PPE includes a variety of devices and garments such as goggles, coveralls, gloves, vests, earplugs, and respirators.

In order to select the proper PPE, incident energy must be known at every point where workers may be required to perform work on energized equipment. These calculations need to be performed by a qualified person such as an electrical engineer. All parts of the body that may be exposed to the arc flash need to be covered by the appropriate type and quality of PPE. Proper PPE can include Flame Resistant clothing, helmet or headgear, face shield, safety glasses, gloves, shoes, etc. depending upon the magnitude of the arc energy.

What is my risk to being exposed to arc flash? The exposure to arc flash depends on the following:

• Number of times the workers perform a task involving exposed live equipment
• Complexity of the task performed, need to use force, available space, safety margins, reach, etc.
• Training, skills, mental and physical agility, coordination with helper
• Tools used
• Condition of equipment

Exposure to an arc flash frequently results in a variety of serious injuries and in some cases death. Workers have been injured even though they were ten feet or more away from the arc center. Worker injuries can include damaged hearing, eyesight, and severe burns requiring years of skin grafting and rehabilitation.

Equipment can be destroyed causing extensive downtime and requiring expensive replacement and repair. The cost of treatment for the injured worker can exceed $1,000,000/case. This does not include very significant litigation fees, insurance increases, fines, accident investigation, etc. This also does not include process loss to the employer.

Preventive maintenance, worker training, and an effective safety program can significantly reduce arc flash exposure. Preventive maintenance should be conducted on a routine basis to ensure safe operation. As part of a preventive maintenance program, equipment should be thoroughly cleaned and routine inspections should be conducted by qualified personnel who understand how to uncover loose connections, overheated terminals, discoloration of nearby insulation, and pitted contacts.

A comprehensive preventive maintenance plan should also include:

• Using corrosion resistant terminals and insulate exposed metal parts if possible
• Sealing all open areas of equipment to ensure rodents and birds cannot enter
• Verifying that all relays and breakers operate properly

Arc Flash first became popular in the early 1980’s with the publication by Ralph Lee titled, “The Other Electrical Hazard: Electric Arc Blast Burns.” Similar studies illustrated that too many people were suffering injuries as a result of arc flash incidents. Therefore, early adopters in the petrochemical industry took steps to establish the first set of practices designed to better protect employees and electrical contractors. Soon other industries recognized the need for additional protection against arc flash hazards. These new industry standards developed by the NEC and others were designed to keep electrical workers free from the hazards of shock, electrocution, arc flash, and arc blast.