Safer and Faster Method of Inspecting Electrical Switchgear
Hotspots in electrical cabinets can be quickly and safely pinpointed with cabinet doors closed, while circuits are energized and under load, using Mikron's SpyGlass™ Lens and economical Viewports. No need for an IR transparent window or metal screen barrier--which can skew thermal readings, or even break, compromising safety.

The .5” aperture Viewport is UL-rated and approved for installation at the OEM level or as a retrofit in the field. Suitable for both low-and high-voltage applications from 480 volts and up, it can be installed in 20 minutes or less on cabinets indoors or outdoors, in either vertical or horizontal positions.

For more information 1-888-506-3900 or...

Learn more about Mikron's SpyGlass Lens online

Is this something really new?

Do you inspect your switchgear and how often? DO you need a shudtwon to do it?

TO the OEM, how many of this spyglass have you sold? Any list of users and success stories?

There have literally been tens of thousands of these "ports" or IR-transparent windows installed over the past several years. While there are many unanswered questions about both, the fact is they do, when properly installed and used, allow for quick relatively safe inspection of equipment that would otherwise be difficult and dangerous to look at.

Key issues are many, including among others:
1. does the window or port lock you into one camera?
2. will the enclosure warranty be voided?
3. what is the INSTALLED cost?
4. can they meet your site safety requirements?
5. what procedures must be used to comply with safety regulations such as NFPA70E?
6. how many windows must be place in what locations to allow for full inspection of the interior?
7. what is the impact on detection and measurement?
8. can they be secured against vandals and unauthorized use?
9. what long-term durability issues are there?

I hope that standards organizations, like ASTM and NFPA, will soon help use create a framework in which we can address these and other issues. Until then, unfortunately, we are pretty much each on our own! I think the "pluses" currently outweigh the "minuses" but would urge all readers to proceed with caution and first install a test batch to learn basic lessons.

Thermally yours,

John

Many have been installed and yet so many issues to consider. Any articles addressing these issues?

Perhaps the manufacturers of the ports or IR-transparent windows want to answer the issues listed above.

What does Snell Infrared recommend?