Infrared thermography and its role in rural utility environment

The thermal energy emitted from an object can be seen and measured as a thermograph with the help of infrared imaging and measurement camera. This process of measuring heat emission is known as infrared thermography. From a one arrester to a transformer, nearly every piece of equipment on a utility system gets hot before failure. This makes infrared thermography not only a cost effective mean but also a valuable diagnostic tool in improving system efficiency, power quality, workers´ safety, and averting outages, valuable equipment failure and line losses. This paper looks at the process of setting up an infrared thermography program, thermography process; describe its advantages, and its usage by rural cooperatives. The paper also accentuates the advancements in infrared technology.