What's the best way to check the electrical connections in the peckerhead of motors with infrared? Should the covers be removed?

Thanks in advance.

Freezer,
Can't wait to find out what a peckerhead is. I've been called one a few times.

IR doesn't care if the view it totally unobstructed or not as long as you have a clear field of vision between the lense and a single part of what you are trying to inspect. If here is a loose connection the area around it(possible up to several inches of the wire) will heat up. So If you see something then disassembly might be required to completly determine the absolute temperature differential and hence the severity catagory or level.

regards.....
regards........

There is quite a bit of debate on this on other boards (Snell etc.) regarding removing covers vice not removing covers. We installed IR windows in order to perform inspections whenever we need to. This is the way to go if you have the time and money. rgf

This message has been edited. Last edited by: rflagg,

In this brave new world where everyone must be "Politically Correct", Peckerhead is the non-politically correct name for a motor termination box.

Another consideration is the latest revision to the NEC codes that came out in 2004. The requirements for electrical safety are much higher. To remove a peckerhead from an energized motor would probably require voltage rated gloves, insulated sleeves, and a face shield.

At what point do you want to detect the problem? That more than anything else will tell you if you need to remove the cover from the "peckerhead", "Stuffing Box", "Connection Box' and or "Dog House"

The problem is when looking at the cover can one say with absolute resolve, "No there is not a problem"! I would want the cover off, yep you need to observe safe proceedures for removing the cover, as for a window that would be one answer that one could be comfortable with in performing a good inspection

Anytime we have had an elevated terminal box temperature, we have had poor connections inside.

If we suspect bad connections in a box, we will take IR at another location (i.e. conduit, pull box, ect..)on the circuit to verify that the temp. is not being caused by the current flow.

We do not remove the cover on an energized piece of equipment to perform IR. We will obtain a clearance, remove the cover, re-energize the equipment, and take IR to verify that there is a problem. It may take longer to perform work this way but, it is much safer.

Freezer,

For under $100.00US you can install an 2" infrared window or for less you can install a 2" grill. Either way you can do ir through both and it wont break the bank.

Good luck

MARVIK U R VERY RIGHT
V R GOIN TO TO DO SOOO BUT CAN YOU TELL ME , NFPA OR OSHA REGULATES SUCH TYPE OF WIDNOW IN ENERGIZED PANELS/PCC/MCC?
FURTHER IF YOU CAN TELL @ WHICH STANDARDS APPLY ON THERMOGRAPHY DEN ITS TOO GOOD.
THANKS

quote:

Originally posted by Pete:
In this brave new world where everyone must be "Politically Correct", Peckerhead is the non-politically correct name for a motor termination box.

I was wondering if you could tell me where the name peckerhead came from. We were discussing it in a class and would like to know