Free Engineering Tool
Thermography Temperature Limits
Classify infrared inspection findings per ISO 18434. Enter component type and measured ΔT above reference to get severity classification and recommended action.
Classification
Electrical Components (NETA MTS, ΔT over ambient)
| ΔT (°C) | Severity | Priority | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–10 | Minor | 4 | Monitor, repair at convenience |
| 11–20 | Intermediate | 3 | Plan repair at next scheduled outage |
| 21–40 | Serious | 2 | Repair as soon as possible |
| >40 | Critical | 1 | Immediate action — risk of failure/fire |
Mechanical Components
| Component | Minor | Intermediate | Serious | Critical |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Motor body | <10°C | 10–25°C | 25–40°C | >40°C |
| Bearing housing | <10°C | 10–20°C | 20–35°C | >35°C |
| Coupling | <5°C | 5–15°C | 15–25°C | >25°C |
| Steam trap | <20°C | 20–40°C | 40–60°C | >60°C |
| Insulation | <5°C | 5–15°C | 15–30°C | >30°C |
ΔT is the temperature difference between the measured component and a reference (similar component under same load, or ambient). It is the primary severity indicator.
Four levels: Minor (monitor), Intermediate (plan repair), Serious (repair soon), Critical (immediate action). Thresholds vary by component type.
Per NETA MTS (ΔT over ambient): 1–10°C = Minor, 11–20°C = Intermediate, 21–40°C = Serious, >40°C = Critical.
Temperature rise is proportional to I²R. At partial load, findings may be worse at full load. Always record load % and extrapolate to full-load conditions.
ISO 18434 (CM framework), NETA MTS (electrical), ASTM E1934 (buildings), IEC 62446 (solar PV). ISO 18434 covers machine condition monitoring by IR.
The procedures described on this page were developed and field-tested by the Vibromera team using the Balanset-1A, a portable dual-channel balancer and vibration analyzer for on-site rotor balancing.
Combine vibration analysis with thermography for comprehensive condition monitoring.
Nikolai Shelkovenko
Nikolai Shelkovenko is a vibration analysis engineer and the founder and CEO of Vibromera. For more than 15 years he has balanced rotating equipment in the field rather than on a test bench: mulchers, industrial fans, crushers, centrifuges, shafts and spindles. That work is what the Balanset instruments grew out of — they were designed as a tool a specialist can carry to the machine and use alone, on site, not as laboratory equipment. Vibromera was founded in 2017 and has been based in Porto, Portugal, since 2023. Development, assembly and support of the Balanset line all happen here. The flagship instrument is the Balanset-1A, a portable analyser for single- and two-plane balancing and for vibration diagnostics. Nikolai is personally involved in customer support, in working through difficult balancing cases and in the development of the software. He works with customers worldwide, in any language.
