thermal imaging and ultrasound are often used together in industrial inspections, especially for detecting leaks, electrical faults, and mechanical issues. They complement each other really well.

🔧 How They Work Together

🔥 Thermal Imaging

  • Detects heat and temperature differences.

  • Great for spotting:

    • Hot spots from electrical faults

    • Steam or hot gas leaks

    • Overheating in bearings, motors, and transformers

🔊 Ultrasound Detection

  • Detects high-frequency sound waves from:

    • Gas and air leaks

    • Steam traps

    • Electrical arcing, tracking, and corona

    • Mechanical friction or vibration

🧠 Why Use Both?

Use Case Thermal Imaging Ultrasound Why Both?
Steam Leaks Detects heat plume Hears turbulent flow noise Confirms presence and pinpoints source
Compressed Air Leaks ❌ Not visible thermally ✅ Detects high-pitched hiss Ultrasound is primary, but IR confirms temp anomalies
Electrical Faults Detects hot spots Hears arcing/corona sounds One shows damage, the other hears it early
Bearing Issues Detects heat buildup Hears increased friction/noise Catches early and late-stage failure signs

🛠️ Practical Example

Let’s say you're doing a plant maintenance inspection:

  1. Use ultrasound to walk the steam lines and listen for high-frequency hissing — a likely leak.

  2. Pull out a thermal camera to visualize the exact heat signature and confirm the leak’s location.

  3. You now have proof with visuals and sound, which helps prioritize repairs and document issues.

✅ Combined Benefits

  • Higher accuracy

  • Faster diagnostics

  • Cross-verification reduces false positives

  • Better for preventive and predictive maintenance