5053 – Initiation to Infrared Thermography (IR)
Course Content
Master thermographic inspection to detect temperature-related failures and boost equipment reliability. Learn IR principles, heat transfer, emissivity, and practical applications across multiple fields.
Introduction
Learn how thermography helps detect early signs of temperature-driven failures.
Applications
Explore its use across electrical, mechanical, refractory, steam, building, and fluid systems.
Benefits
Prevent breakdowns, cut costs, and increase ROI through smarter diagnostics.
Core Concepts
Understand the fundamentals:
- Infrared radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Longwave vs. shortwave IR
- Heat transfer and temperature units
- Blackbody theory, emissivity, and the importance of the “E” value
Tools & Techniques
Get hands-on knowledge of thermal measurement devices and their field-specific uses.
Who should follow this course
Ideal for industrial maintenance technicians, engineers, and managers looking to gain practical skills in infrared thermography.
Prerequisite
None.
Detailed Course Overview
5053 – Initiation to Infrared Thermography (IR)
Master infrared thermography and improve your maintenance diagnostics.Infrared thermography is one of the most powerful and accessible diagnostic technologies available in modern maintenance practices.
This Initiation to Thermography course is crafted to introduce you to the essential principles, techniques, and real-world applications of industrial thermography.
Whether you’re starting your journey in condition monitoring with thermography or looking to enhance your facility’s predictive maintenance training, this course equips you with the foundational skills to detect failures before they escalate, and to use thermal inspections as a core element of your preventive maintenance tools strategy.
Why Thermography?
Heat is a good indicator that something is going wrong, be it a loose electrical panel connection, failing bearing, overloaded motor, or insulation breakdown.
Thermography allows you to see what the eye can’t, identifying potential issues based on temperature anomalies before they result in equipment failure.
This powerful predictive maintenance tool enables teams to visualize heat patterns and subtle thermal deviations, allowing for early detection of mechanical and electrical issues.
Used effectively, thermography can improve asset reliability, extend equipment life, and reduce both planned and unplanned downtime. It also supports reliability-centered maintenance programs by providing concrete, visual data for better decision-making.
What You’ll Learn
This course offers a comprehensive introduction to infrared thermography, blending theory with hands-on practice. You will learn to:
- Understand the fundamentals of infrared radiation and its place within the electromagnetic spectrum
- Differentiate between longwave and shortwave IR cameras and their applications
- Apply principles of heat transfer, temperature units, and detection thresholds
- Grasp the significance of emissivity, blackbody theory, and how these impact thermal readings
- Conduct thermal inspection techniques correctly and safely
- Navigate the infrared camera calibration process to ensure accurate data collection
In addition to theoretical knowledge, participants will gain experience with thermal camera training in real-life scenarios, developing the confidence and skills to operate cameras correctly, capture meaningful data, and interpret results effectively.
Real-World Applications of Industrial Thermography
This course goes beyond theory by demonstrating how industrial thermography is applied across different sectors.
Using case studies and interactive examples, you’ll see thermography in action across:
- Electrical systems: Locate hot spots in electrical panels, diagnose unbalanced loads, or detect failing components
- Mechanical systems: Track heat buildup in motors, bearings, gearboxes, and rotating equipment
- Steam and process piping: Spot thermal losses, blocked valves, or hidden leaks
- Refractory systems and building envelopes: Identify damaged insulation, moisture intrusion, or heat escapes
These insights will help you go from simply identifying problems to prioritizing maintenance, allocating resources more efficiently, and maximizing operational ROI.
Benefits of the Course
By the end of this course, you’ll have a strong working foundation in IR thermography certification-level knowledge, even if it’s your first exposure. Participants will be able to:
- Use thermal cameras with confidence and precision in industrial environments
- Detect equipment anomalies early, avoiding costly breakdowns
- Apply infrared camera calibration practices for reliable measurements
- Interpret thermal images with an understanding of how variables like emissivity affect readings
- Avoid false positives or missed detections due to common misinterpretations
- Strengthen your predictive and preventive maintenance programs with quantifiable insights
You’ll leave not just with technical knowledge, but with the practical ability to make a difference in your facility’s reliability outcomes—ensuring that thermal inspections become a valuable, data-driven decision tool.
Who Should Follow This Course
This course is ideal for individuals involved in maintenance and reliability, including:
- Maintenance and electrical technicians
- Reliability engineers and asset integrity professionals
- Plant managers and operations supervisors
- Predictive maintenance coordinators and planners
- Anyone involved in condition monitoring or asset performance optimization
No prior experience is necessary. Whether you’re looking for introductory IR thermography certification training or simply need a structured foundation in thermal inspection techniques, this course will set you on the right path.
This course also serves as a valuable component of any maintenance management training program, offering specialized insight into thermography for maintenance technicians and training for reliability engineers alike.
By integrating infrared inspection into your reliability workflow, you’ll strengthen your approach to rotating equipment temperature monitoring and enhance safety with proactive electrical panel heat detection.
Whether you’re building a comprehensive training path or looking to upskill your team, this course delivers practical, job-ready expertise that supports long-term performance improvements across your maintenance strategy. Invest in your team’s knowledge and turn thermal data into action.
Ready to unlock the full potential of thermal diagnostics? This introduction to infrared thermography will empower you to see what others miss—and act before failure strikes.