IR Windows for Inspection Safety

Our IR Window Inspection Specialists are standing by to safeguard your inspection process.  Talk to Atlas Inspection Technologies today at 800.281.0650 Toll Free 206.774.8704 from International locations.

IRISS Industrial VPFR Infrared Windows

Available in 1/2", 2", 3", & 4" View Diameters – Life Time Warranty

• Complies with impact and load requirements of IEEE C.37.20.2 section a.3.6
• Meets impact and flammability requirements of UL Standard 508C and 746C
• UL94 5VA Flammability Rated Assembly
• IP 65/NEMA 4 Rated both open and closed
• Allows for safe thermal imaging of fully energized electrical components through closed doors
• Works with all infrared cameras
• Manufactured with non conductive materials
• Available in IR Polymer or Calcium Fluoride
• Simple to install in 10 minutes or less

IRISS Infrared Windows: IEEE Compliant

This series of IR infrared windows meets the mandatory IEEE Standard (C.37.20.2 section a.3.6) for visual viewing panes in medium and high voltage electrical equipment (36 kV metal clad and 72kV station switchgear) and allows IR inspections to be completed safely as per the requirements of NFPA 70e. No other infrared viewing pane assembly available today meets these requirements for severe pressure, impact and flammability.

IRISS IR Windows: NFPA 70E Compliant

IR Windows’ standard, the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) specification NFPA 70E establishes guidelines for safe work practices around live electrical components. This is changing how thermographers can conduct thermal inspections of low, medium and high voltage  electrical equipment.

Infrared windows help Predictive Maintenance (PdM) thermographers comply with NFPA 70E by allowing them to scan the electrical equipment without opening or removing covers of electrical enclosures.

Scanning without opening enclosures greatly reduces the risk of Arc Flash, it makes inspection faster, and takes away many of the triggers of an arc flash.

The first element of any risk assessment is the adoption of the hierarchy of control whose first principal is to ELIMINATE RISK. The use of personal protective equipment (PPE) should always be considered as a last resort.

Thermal Inspections of Electrical Equipment

IRISS Infrared Windows are used to remove the risk to thermographers by ensuring that they are never exposed to energized electrical equipment while inspecting equipment, therefore ensuring safer IR inspections of electrical switchgear. Additionally the use of this type of inspection methodology means that the switchgear always remains shut during the inspection eliminating 99.9% of the causes of arc flash.

Eradicate the Two Main Failure Modes for Traditional IR Windows

The IRISS VPFR range of infrared windows were designed to eradicate the two main failure modes of traditional IR windows using crystal lenses, breakage from impact and loss of function from water ingress. The IR2 lens system used in the VPFR range has the same IR transmission as traditional IR crystals with none of the inherent weaknesses, also the lens system is a fraction of the price of crystals making IR windows a much more cost effective solution that they have ever been.

10 Things You Need To Know About Infrared Windows – FREE Pocket Guide!

This is an excellent 42 page guide that discusses everything from the basics to current topics on IR window design, installation, inspections, and NFPA and OSHA implications.

Request Your Copy Today

• What is an Infrared Window
• Infrared Window Lens Materials
• The Importance of Emissivity in Electrical Thermography
• Know Your IR Transmission Rates
• Field of View (FOV) Through an Infrared Window
• Proper Installation of an Infrared Window
• Certifications and Standards
• Arc Flash, NFPA & OSHA: Implications on Infrared Inspections
• Infrared Window Program Benefits
• Infrared Window Cost-Benefit Analysis

Make Your IR Inspection Program Safe and Efficient

Periodic infrared (IR) inspections of critical equipment have become the center piece of a world-class electrical preventative maintenance program. Yet, for all the potential failures this technology has averted, an IR inspection requires that electrical panels be open – and fully-energized. Just the mere presence of open, energized panels significantly increases the risk of triggering an explosive arc flash. One solution: eliminate the need to open panels by installing IRISS IR inspection windows.

Fully-Energized – Fully-Loaded

Industry standards prescribe routine thermographic inspections of electrical systems at least annually (see NFPA 70B). These inspections must be performed while the equipment is fully-energized and fully-loaded; otherwise, faults can easily hide — while components rapidly cool when de-energized.

Opening electrical panels to inspect energized components significantly increases the chance of an arc flash explosion. The vast majority of arc flash incidents occur when electrical panels are open – and energized. So open-panel inspections can pose a very real hazard to worker safety, plant assets and process uptime. Opening energized electrical panels to inspect components significantly increases the chance of an arc flash explosion. An IRISS infrared inspection window allows plant thermographers to carry out inspections more safely — and efficiently. When installed, thermographers can easily identify fault conditions while the window maintains the electrical equipment in an “enclosed and guarded” condition. By eliminating the need to open and remove panel covers, the risks posed by inspection — and human error — are virtually eliminated. This makes the entire IR inspection process no more risky than reading a panel meter (see NFPA 70E). Click on the image to view a video of an arc flash accident.

IR Windows – Added Bonus

Once
installed, IR windows eliminate the need to continually reopen panels. Typically, the man-hours required to perform an IR inspection drop by more than 80%. Most firms will use this cost savings to increase the inspection frequency on critical assets – identifying problems and preventing potentially catastrophic losses.

Unconditional Life Time Warranty – covering both workmanship and material performance throughout the life of the product. Call us today to find out more about IRISS Infrared Windows.

Other Links and Downloads

• Emissivity Labels
• Infrared Windows for Custom Applications
• Reinforced Optic Grilling Brochure and TechSpecs
• Transmissive Panel Covers Brochure and TechSpecs
• Infrared Windows Brochure and TechSpecs
• Infrared Camera Rentals
• Flir Infrared Camera Sales

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