Saputo Foods values plant reliability, so they were naturally interested in learning more about incorporating InfraRed (IR) imaging into their preventative maintenance program. Sharing knowledge is one of my core values, so before I began imaging the plant, I found it important to explain the benefits and limitations of IR technology to the customer. The primary benefit of IR is that it does not require an equipment outage, which helps maintain productivity. Additionally, IR is non-invasive compared to other electrical tests that require lifting and replacing wires. However, IR does have limitations. For example, hot spots are usually only visible when equipment is running at full load, and bare metal can reflect the temperature of the surroundings, giving false readings.

When Saputo decided to proceed with IR imaging, we collaborated with their maintenance staff to define a practical scope, focusing on the main switchgear and the panels. The initial report served as a template for future IR scans, and as our relationship grew, the contractor I then worked for was able to offer even more services to Saputo.