Thermography

Term from Mechanical Maintenance industry explained for recruiters

Thermography is a method of inspecting equipment and buildings by taking special heat pictures that show temperature differences. It's like taking a photo that shows hot and cold spots, which helps maintenance workers find problems before equipment breaks down. This technique is widely used in building maintenance, electrical systems checking, and mechanical equipment inspection. You might also hear it called "thermal imaging" or "infrared inspection." It's a way to spot potential issues without having to shut down equipment or take things apart, saving time and money in maintenance work.

Examples in Resumes

Conducted monthly equipment inspections using Thermography to prevent failures

Led Thermal Imaging surveys of electrical systems in manufacturing facilities

Certified in Infrared Thermography for predictive maintenance programs

Used Thermographic analysis to identify potential equipment failures

Typical job title: "Thermography Technicians"

Also try searching for:

Predictive Maintenance Technician Infrared Thermographer Maintenance Inspector Building Systems Inspector Reliability Technician NDT Technician Condition Monitoring Specialist

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: How would you implement a facility-wide thermographic inspection program?

Expected Answer: Should discuss creating inspection schedules, establishing baseline readings, training requirements, reporting procedures, and how to prioritize critical equipment.

Q: What factors can affect thermal image accuracy and how do you account for them?

Expected Answer: Should explain environmental conditions like ambient temperature, reflective surfaces, distance to target, and how to adjust settings and techniques accordingly.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What safety precautions do you take when conducting thermal inspections?

Expected Answer: Should mention personal protective equipment, maintaining safe distances from live equipment, working with qualified escorts when needed, and following facility safety protocols.

Q: How do you document and report your findings from a thermal inspection?

Expected Answer: Should describe creating detailed reports with images, temperature measurements, severity levels, and recommendations for repairs or further monitoring.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What are the basic components of a thermal imaging camera?

Expected Answer: Should describe the basic parts like the lens, detector, display screen, and basic controls for focusing and capturing images.

Q: What's the difference between qualitative and quantitative thermography?

Expected Answer: Should explain that qualitative looks for general hot/cold patterns, while quantitative involves specific temperature measurements and comparisons.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic camera operation
  • Simple equipment inspection
  • Report writing
  • Understanding of basic safety procedures

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Advanced inspection techniques
  • Problem diagnosis
  • Multiple equipment types inspection
  • Data analysis and trending

Senior (5+ years)

  • Program development
  • Team leadership
  • Complex system analysis
  • Training and mentoring

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No certification in thermographic inspection
  • Lack of understanding of basic safety procedures
  • Unable to interpret thermal images
  • No experience with reporting software
  • No knowledge of equipment maintenance basics