Infrared Thermography
Category I
Practical infrared thermography training for maintenance, reliability and condition monitoring professionals who need to perform reliable thermal inspections, identify abnormal thermal patterns and develop effective inspection reports.
Build a Strong Foundation in Infrared Thermography
ORBITLINE Infrared Thermography Category I Training introduces the fundamental principles and practical techniques required to perform infrared thermal inspections.
The course covers infrared radiation, heat transfer, thermal imaging, temperature measurement, emissivity, reflected apparent temperature, camera operation and environmental factors affecting thermal measurements.
Participants learn how to capture reliable thermal images, recognize abnormal thermal patterns and perform basic temperature comparisons on industrial equipment.
The training also introduces practical applications for electrical systems, motors, bearings, pumps, gearboxes, furnaces, burners, process equipment and other industrial assets.
Category I Core Skills
For Maintenance, Reliability & Inspection Professionals
Designed for personnel who are beginning or developing their professional application of infrared thermography for industrial condition monitoring.
Reliability Engineers
Professionals responsible for equipment reliability, condition monitoring and predictive maintenance programs.
Maintenance Engineers
Engineers involved in troubleshooting electrical and mechanical equipment and maintenance planning.
Electrical Technicians
Personnel inspecting electrical panels, MCCs, switchgear, connections, transformers and distribution equipment.
Mechanical Technicians
Personnel working with motors, bearings, pumps, fans, gearboxes and other rotating equipment.
Condition Monitoring Engineers
Professionals integrating thermography with vibration, ultrasound and other predictive technologies.
Inspection Personnel
Personnel responsible for thermal inspections, data collection, documentation and condition assessment.
What You Will Be Able to Do
Develop the fundamental knowledge and practical skills required to perform effective infrared thermography measurements in industrial environments.
Understand infrared radiation, heat transfer and the relationship between temperature and thermal energy.
Configure the camera and understand focus, measurement range, image quality and basic camera functions.
Recognize the influence of emissivity, reflected apparent temperature and surface characteristics.
Capture reliable temperature measurements while considering distance, atmospheric conditions and measurement limitations.
Identify abnormal thermal patterns in panels, MCCs, switchgear, connections, transformers and cables.
Apply thermography to motors, bearings, pumps, fans, gearboxes and other machinery.
Recognize common thermal signatures and distinguish potential abnormalities from normal operating conditions.
Document thermal observations, temperatures, ΔT, operating conditions and recommended actions.
Major Training Areas
The course develops fundamental competence in infrared measurement, camera operation, thermal image acquisition, interpretation and industrial applications.
Infrared Fundamentals
15%Thermal Measurement
20%Camera Operation
15%Electrical Thermography
15%Mechanical Thermography
15%Image Interpretation & Reporting
20%Thermography Category I Topics
Select each module to explore the subjects covered during the ORBITLINE Thermography Category I training.
Module 01 — Fundamentals of Infrared Thermography
- Introduction to infrared thermography
- Infrared radiation and the electromagnetic spectrum
- Temperature versus heat
- Heat transfer fundamentals
- Conduction
- Convection
- Radiation
- Thermal equilibrium
- Thermal patterns and heat flow
- Applications of infrared thermography
Module 02 — Infrared Cameras & Thermal Imaging
- Infrared camera fundamentals
- Infrared detectors
- Thermal image formation
- Resolution and image quality
- Field of view
- Instantaneous field of view
- Measurement spot size
- Focus and image sharpness
- Camera temperature ranges
- Basic camera controls
Module 03 — Emissivity & Reflected Apparent Temperature
- Understanding emissivity
- High-emissivity surfaces
- Low-emissivity surfaces
- Reflected apparent temperature
- Surface reflection
- Material properties
- Surface condition and measurement accuracy
- Correcting measurement settings
- Common emissivity errors
- Practical measurement examples
Module 04 — Measurement Techniques
- Correct measurement technique
- Measurement distance
- Spot size ratio
- Camera positioning
- Viewing angle
- Atmospheric attenuation
- Relative humidity
- Ambient temperature
- Wind and environmental effects
- Measurement repeatability
Module 05 — Thermal Image Acquisition
- Inspection preparation
- Equipment identification
- Operating condition verification
- Load condition
- Thermal image composition
- Visual image comparison
- Correct focus
- Temperature measurement points
- Image storage and documentation
- Inspection consistency
Module 06 — Comparative Thermography
- Thermal comparison principles
- Comparing similar components
- Temperature difference (ΔT)
- Reference temperature
- Baseline development
- Trend monitoring
- Load normalization
- Identifying abnormal thermal patterns
- Limitations of temperature comparison
Module 07 — Electrical Thermography
- Electrical thermal patterns
- Loose connections
- High-resistance connections
- Overloaded conductors
- Phase imbalance
- Fuses and circuit breakers
- Electrical panels
- MCCs
- Switchgear
- Busbars
- Cable terminations
- Transformers
- Electrical safety considerations
Module 08 — Mechanical Thermography
- Mechanical thermal patterns
- Friction-related heating
- Bearing temperature
- Lubrication-related heating
- Motor inspection
- Pump inspection
- Fan inspection
- Gearbox inspection
- Coupling inspection
- Brake and mechanical system inspection
Module 09 — Motors, Bearings & Rotating Equipment
- Motor thermal signatures
- Motor housing inspection
- Motor bearing inspection
- Electrical versus mechanical heating
- Bearing lubrication effects
- Bearing friction
- Coupling temperature patterns
- Pump bearing temperatures
- Fan bearing temperatures
- Correlation with vibration measurements
Module 10 — Furnaces, Burners & Process Equipment
- Industrial furnace thermography
- Rotary furnace inspection
- Furnace shell temperature
- Refractory condition indicators
- Hot spots
- Burner inspection
- Burner-zone temperature comparison
- Insulation degradation
- Thermal leakage
- Process equipment inspection
Module 11 — Thermal Patterns & Basic Diagnostics
- Recognizing normal thermal patterns
- Recognizing abnormal thermal patterns
- Hot spots
- Cold spots
- Thermal gradients
- Heat distribution
- Localized heating
- Distributed heating
- Thermal symmetry
- Potential failure mechanisms
Module 12 — Inspection Safety
- Electrical inspection hazards
- Arc-flash awareness
- Safe inspection distances
- Personal protective equipment
- Access limitations
- Working around rotating equipment
- Hot surfaces
- Restricted areas
- Site-specific safety procedures
- Risk assessment
Module 13 — Data Interpretation
- Thermal image interpretation
- Temperature measurement interpretation
- ΔT evaluation
- Reference comparison
- Load consideration
- Environmental consideration
- Measurement uncertainty
- False indications
- Thermal reflections
- Basic diagnostic decision-making
Module 14 — Reporting & Recommendations
- Thermography report structure
- Equipment identification
- Thermal image and visual image
- Measurement temperature
- Reference temperature
- Temperature difference
- Operating conditions
- Observation description
- Recommended action
- Priority classification
- Follow-up inspection
Module 15 — Practical Thermography Exercises
- Infrared camera setup
- Electrical inspection exercise
- Motor inspection exercise
- Bearing inspection exercise
- Pump and gearbox inspection
- Thermal comparison exercise
- Emissivity exercise
- Reflected temperature exercise
- Thermal image interpretation
- Report preparation
Module 16 — Industrial Case Studies
- Loose electrical connection
- Overloaded electrical component
- Motor abnormal temperature
- Bearing overheating
- Lubrication-related heating
- Gearbox thermal anomaly
- Furnace hot spot
- Burner-zone temperature comparison
- Insulation degradation
- Developing corrective recommendations
Where Thermography Is Applied
Infrared thermography can support condition monitoring across electrical, mechanical and process equipment when measurements are performed correctly and operating conditions are considered.
Thermography Standards
The training introduces internationally recognized standards and practices relevant to infrared thermography and machinery condition monitoring.
Thermography Personnel Qualification
Requirements for qualification and assessment of personnel performing machinery condition monitoring and diagnostics using infrared thermography.
General Thermography Procedures
General procedures for infrared thermography applied to machinery condition monitoring, including measurement, safety, data collection and assessment.
Image Interpretation & Diagnostics
Guidance related to interpretation and diagnostics of thermal images for machine condition monitoring.
Training Details
Training Duration
32 hours of instructor-led Thermography Category I training, including theory and practical exercises.
Recommended Background
Basic maintenance, reliability, electrical or mechanical knowledge is recommended. Previous thermography experience is not required for Category I.
Training Method
Technical instruction, thermal image interpretation, practical exercises, industrial examples and case studies.
Training Format
Public classroom courses and private customer-site training can be arranged.
Practical Equipment
Training can include hands-on use of professional infrared thermal imaging equipment subject to course arrangements.
Corporate Training
Private programs can be customized for maintenance, reliability and condition monitoring teams.
Turn Thermal Images Into Reliability Decisions
Thermography becomes more valuable when thermal observations are connected with equipment operating conditions, failure mechanisms and practical maintenance actions.
Practical Training
Focus on how thermography is actually performed during industrial condition monitoring activities.
Industrial Applications
Examples include electrical systems, rotating equipment, furnaces, burners and process equipment.
Condition Monitoring
Understand how thermography can complement vibration, ultrasound and other predictive maintenance technologies.
Professional Reporting
Learn how to document thermal observations clearly and support maintenance decisions with reliable inspection data.
Start Your Thermography Training
Contact ORBITLINE for upcoming Thermography Category I training dates, pricing, corporate registration or private on-site training.