I have 3 years as level I certified infrared thermographer, with most of my experience with electrical and mechinical on conveyor systems. I was going by a utility pole and noticed this one hot spot, there was almost no wind and it doesn't appear to be a reflection, I am hoping that someone can tell me whether or not this is a problem that needs to addressed

Seems to be a broken link Bruce. Could you host it somewhere and insert it into a post?

Let me try to post this picture again

 

 

Hi folks,

 Since the image is in .IMG format, you will need to right click on the image link, and use "Save Target As" to store the image on your computer. Then you should be able to open it, assuming you have the proper software. Only the more garden variety image formats (JPEG, GIF, PNG, TIFF) will be displayed inline with your post.

Best regards,

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Andrew Snell
IRTalk.com System Administrator
www.thesnellgroup.com

I changed the file to a bitmap hopefully it can be accessed this time, I hope some will be able to tell me if this is actually a problem with this pole

It looks like a problem.....it definately sticks out. Do you have a digital image of this?

Jeff

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Jeff Gadd
Vision Infrared Services
www.visioninfrared.com

Here is the picture of the utility pole

It looks like it may be a lightning arrestor which, if it is, should not be hotter than ambient. It is difficult to tell from the photograph. Is connected to a ground wire?

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

Yes, it has a ground wire attached to it

It's looks like the arrester resistant is become lower than the other so it will cause heat inside the arrester. you may need another test such as insulation resistance test to confirm and compare with others. The arrester in your picture need to be inspected as soon as possible, because arrester is GO-NO-GO equipment, they don't have standard value to determine it is bad or still OK so you should replace them if heat sign is appear on them

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Sofan Afandi
Electrical Technician

It is difficult to say exactly from your photos, but I suggest you are looking at a lightning arrester that is failing. Any heat above ambient in these suggests impending failure which can occur catastrophically. I'd suggest you confirm your finding and consider scheduling replacement.

I was invited to present a paper recently at the Doble conference on the topic of inspecting lightning arresters. If you, or other readers are interested, I can provide a copy to you. 

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

Yes, I am interested in a copy of your paper could you email it to me at air1bjr@ups.com.

Thank you

 

 Bruce J. Riopell

Relability & Process Development Group
Worldport Plant Engineering

UPS Louisville, KY

I also would like a copy. You can email me @ leow@fayette.coop

Thanks in advance;