Bearing Fault Detection Technique by using Thermal Images: A case of Study

Induction Motors (IMs) have been extensively used in the industry due to their low-cost, fast installation, and easy operation. However, it is necessary to have adequate maintenance programs because sudden faults, in the IM, could lead in important financial losses. Several methods have been proposed in the literature, where the thermography images analysis is an excellent candidate due to it is a non-invasive and non-contact technique, avoiding problems that exist in traditional techniques as indirect and unnoticed interference from other equipment in the signal to analyze, e.g. vibration or current. In this paper, a methodology based on the analysis of the specific region in thermography images to detect bearing damage is developed. In this manner, a study of two common damages is performed. The analysis is performed in three regions in the IM, with mechanical load, and with different supply frequencies. The difference of temperature among the regions are studied and the results are shown a difference in about 1.8°C between healthy and damaged condition, enough difference to detect the damage in the bearing taking into account that the IM has a cooling fan in the back.