IRISS News

IRISS Industrial Grade IR Windows now offered in ABB SafeGear Medium Voltage Arc-Resistant Switchgear

IRISS, inc., manufacturer of the world’s only “industrial-grade” infrared window is proud to announce that its VPFR infrared window will now be offered as an option on all ABB SafeGear Medium Voltage Arc –Resistant Switchgear.

ABB SafeGear has been successfully arc-resistant tested to a maximum of 50kA with IRISS VPFR-75 3-inch Infrared Windows installed on the rear doors of the switchgear.

ABB used IRISS windows during the testing held at the KEMA Labs facility in Shallfont, PA to IEEE C37.20.7 (2007) in January of 2009, for compliance throughout North America.

“Today, switchgear manufacturers regularly install IR windows at the point-of-manufacture. We are so excited to have ABB including our ‘industrial grade’ infrared windows in new switchgear to their customers ” states Tammi Pickett, Marketing Director.

Martin Robinson, IRISS, inc – CEO comments, “The use of infrared (IR) inspection windows in industrial applications has grown exponentially
over the past five years. IR windows are being used in almost every industry that utilizes or produces energy – from pulp and paper mills to pharmaceutical research facilities, from refineries to office buildings, IR windows have been proven to save companies money by facilitating more efficient and safer work practices. I am proud that IRISS is making thermography safer and more accurate by their very nature, IRISS products are simply Safer by Design”.

About IRISS inc.

Established in 2007, IRISS, inc. is a privately held company whose mission is to enable companies to “save time, save money and save lives.” As manufacturer of the world’s first and only industrial-grade infrared windows, IRISS’s end-user-designed products are the culmination of more than 15 years experience using and designing infrared windows, and launching infrared window programs around the world. IRISS products are the heart of efficient and safe work processes for infrared electrical surveys and thereby provide the means with which companies can reduce and eliminate risk to plant assets and personnel.

By facilitating closed-panel inspections, use of IRISS infrared windows eliminate 99.9% of arc flash triggers during IR electrical surveys and help companies to comply with NFPA and OSHA mandates. 

Contact:
Arby Dickert, Americas Sales Manager
a.dickert@iriss.com

The Myth of Arc Flash Resistance

Myths are entertaining, instructive, and inspirational. Myths are intended to be harmless, told around a campfire or as a bed-time story. Because Myths have no basis in reality, there is no one to hold responsible for their truthfulness. They are often just believed to be true and are passed along through a community without ever really being researched to prove their validity. Most of the time, a Myth is about something simple or inconsequential.

When a Myth is about something as serious and potentially deadly as what can withstand an Arc Flash event, these “stories” can have consequences that are anything but harmless or amusing.

An Arc Flash is not a Myth. An Arc Flash event occurs daily in industrial workplaces just like yours. On average, one fatality or serious injury occurs every 3.2 hours as a result of an Arc Flash event.

There is a myth that an Arc Flash-resistant IR window exists. Many reliability and maintenance professionals are under the impression that an IR window will protect them in the event of an arc blast. The consequences of believing this myth can cost you your life!
 

Infrared windows cannot protect you from an Arc Flash event. The simple fact is: there is no such thing an Arc Resistance rating for an IR window.

Any claims to the contrary are just plain dangerous and negligent.

An IR window is a data collection point for Infrared inspections. An IR window allows for a closed panel inspection of electrical switchgear components. Closed-panel inspection using IR windows will eliminate more than 99 percent of arc flash triggers during inspection. IR windows are a safer, more efficient way to perform infrared inspections of energized electrical equipment using an Infrared camera.

At IRISS, your safety is our primary concern. That is why we want you to know that believing the Myth of the Arc Flash-resistant IR Window has life-threatening possibilities.

IRISS never overlooks a detail.

Neither should you.