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.