Application Note

HVAC inspections
Heating and cooling systems,
whether for maintaining pro-
duction parameters or human
comfort, are easily monitored
with the Fluke 62 Mini Infrared
Thermometer. Check air stratifica-
tion, supply and return registers,
furnace performance and steam
distribution systems and conduct
energy audits to pinpoint system
upgrade opportunities.
For example, IR non-contact
thermometers can be used to
troubleshoot steam traps, which
are designed to remove water
(condensate) that has condensed
from the steam as it travels in
transfer pipes. If a steam trap fails
while open, it will leak steam,
causing an energy loss. If it fails
while closed, it won’t remove
condensate from the steam line,
making it useless. A faulty steam
trap can cost a plant $500 USD or
more per year, and in any given
year, 10 % of all industrial steam
traps fail. Since many plants have
as many as 1,000 traps, they can
quickly become high-value main-
tenance targets.
To verify whether a steam trap
is working properly, use a non-
contact thermometer like the 62
Mini to measure from input to
output. On a properly operating
trap, the temperature should drop
significantly. If the temperature
doesn’t drop, the steam trap has
failed open and is passing super-
heated steam into the condensate
line. If the temperature drop is
overly large, the trap may be
stuck closed and is not ejecting
heated condensate. Condensate
in steam lines reduces the effec-
tive energy of the steam and can
cause difficulties in steam driven
processes.
Use non-contact temperature measurements for inaccessible targets.
4 Fluke Corporation Frontline test tools for predictive maintenance
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Fluke Corporation
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©2005 Fluke Corporation. All rights reserved.
Printed in U.S.A. 6/2005 2517382 A-EN-N Rev A