Troubleshooting Paper Machine Problems Through Thermal Imaging

Expert troubleshooters have a good understanding of the operation of electrical components that are used in circuits they are familiar with, and even ones they are not. They use a system or approach that allows them to logically and systematically analyze a circuit and determine exactly what is wrong. They also understand and effectively use tools such as prints, diagrams and test instruments to identify defective components. Finally, they have had the opportunity to develop and refine their troubleshooting skills.

You have four opportunities to trouble shoot centrifugal pumps and each opportunity can offer you a clue as to what is wrong with the pump. Let's take a look at each of these conditions:

Too much heat can cause multiple problems with cartridge mechanical seals. Some heat problems are not seal design or seal installation related.

Part 5 of 9 on Troubleshooting Mechanical Seals: Scoring - symptoms, causes, failure modes, and solutions.

The 9 articles in this series will outline common issues with mechanical seals, how to notice them, and troubleshooting tips. The series addresses: wide wear track, centered/miscentered, even/uneven wear track, scoring, chipping, coking, heat cracking or checking, and blistering.

Part 8 of 9 on Troubleshooting Mechanical Seals: Heat Cracking or Heat Checking - symptoms, causes, failure modes, and solutions.

In a properly operating bearing the race ways and rolling elements will become dull in appearance. This dullness is not an indication of wear and has no affect on the life of the bearing. These dull surfaces form the visible paths that I will be referring to in the following paragraphs, so their appearance and location is important in analyzing any type of bearing failure.