BERGSTROM ELECTRIC INC. EARNS NATIONAL AWARD FROM ASSOCIATED BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) recently announced that Bergstrom Electric’s work on the Bismarck State College Aquatic & Wellness Center in Bismarck, ND has earned the company a Pyramid Award in the Electrical: Commercial Less than $2 Million of ABC’s Excellence in Construction Awards. Mike Yri - Project Manager received the award Feb. 22 during the 21st annual Excellence in Construction Awards celebration at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Orlando, Fla. |
Bergstrom Receives Top Honors at 2010 IEC National Convention Bergstrom Electric, Inc. received the highest award possible for the two projects it submitted this year in the Independent Electrical Contractor’s (IEC) Awards of Excellence in Electrical Construction competition. |
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Service Department  If you have a small electrical repair job, a potential expansion of your home or outbuilding, or if you just have a question about your electrical system, give Jason Wardner at Bergstrom a call—701-775-8897. We can answer your questions or get a technician out to you to diagnose the problem. Don't take risks with electricity! Let one of our professional technicians handle your repair work. |
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Thermal Imaging Scans Save Time and Money  Thermal imaging is a photograph of the thermal properties of an object. It gives an accurate comparison of the surface temperature of an item compared to surrounding components. Usually, if there is a significant difference in temperature, there is a problem that needs to be addressed. The pictures at the right give a good example of thermal imaging at work. The photograph at the top shows the main fuses of an electrical panel. This visual reference shows nothing out of the ordinary and, indeed, the owner did not notice any problems with the operations of this unit. However, the thermal image below tells a different story. The numbers indicate the temperature of the various components. As indicated, the fuse holder and wire termination are running at 137 degrees - significantly higher than any of the surrounding components. “We recommended immediate action to prevent further equipment damage.“ explains Jaime Dietzler, Manager of the Thermal Imaging Division at Bergstrom Electric. “The wire could eventually burn off, which would mean a loss in production while the equipment is down waiting for parts and repair. Or something could catch off of that heat - it’s certainly a fire hazard.” The technology has numerous applications and is earning praises from industry experts. Jeff Millard, a technical designer at Widseth Smith Nolting architects had his first experience with thermal imaging during a project at Valley Eldercare in Grand Forks. “All of the parties involved were trying to figure out what was going on with the front entry,” he explains. “The furnace unit we had sized for the area was having a really hard time keeping the entry at 70 degrees like they wanted. Bergstrom did some thermal imaging of the entry and the photos showed that one small area was letting in 20 degree air because of a few missing blocks on the old wall! Just by doing that 15 minute thermal scan probably saved the contractor thousands of dollars.” According to Millard, the administrator of Valley Eldercare was so impressed with the results of the thermal imaging that he wants more of the building photographed as well, including the roof where there are several bad ice spots. The technology can be even more crucial in industrial applications, where equipment downtime can mean the loss of thousands of dollars every hour. Bergstrom recommends regular thermal imaging scans of the following equipment: - Electrical Panels - Switch Gear - Bus Duct - Motors - Variable Frequency Drives - Disconnects - Control Cabinets - Transformers - Circuit Breakers - High Voltage Switch Cabinets - Transfer Switches Mechanical Equipment - Gears - Bearings - Belt Drive Motors - Refractory Insulation - Pumps Flat Roof and Wall Inspections - Check insulation and water intrusion. Steam Operating Systems - Scan steam traps and like components. (One malfunctioning steam trap could cost your business $10,000 annually. ) The benefits of a thermal imaging scan are numerous, and include: - Reduced unscheduled down time. - Preventing loss of production. - Longer Equipment life. - To Set baselines in new equipment installations - To Satisfy insurance requirements - Reduction in the chance of electrical fires - Avoiding component failure that may result in accidents and save human life - Troubleshooting - Identifying building energy loss problems. - Identifying water intrusion before it spreads creating mold or safety hazards - Any situation were temperature is critical All of the benefits mean a better bottom line for the home owner, business owner, contractor, engineer, or architect involved. A thermal imaging scan does not take long, and is largely dependent on the size of the area and how many images the owner needs. Bergstrom’s certified technicians photograph everything with their infrared cameras, download and review the images, note problem areas, and prepare a report for the owner with recommended actions. Dietzler recommends annual scans to track the temperatures of equipment and determine if there is deterioration in some pieces over time. Whether done annually or just once, thermal imaging photographs are a good investment for a business or home owner. If you are interested in a thermal imaging scan for your business, contact Jamie Dietzler at Bergstrom Electric at 701-775-8897. |
