Ultrasound World VI (2010)

Ultrasound World VI Program Abstracts

Abstract:  The current winter in many parts of the country has once again put into focus the absolute value of a reliable electrical infrastructure and supply to both home and business. Many areas have experiences extended outages due to supply lines becoming overwhelmed with snow and ice, succumbing to the weight and failing. This is the most visible effect of bad weather and impacts many facilities, large and small alike.

It is not, however, the only concern in a modern world demanding steady, clean electricity necessary for day-to-day operations or basic needs such as heating and refrigeration. The utility supply notwithstanding can be highly reliable, but a failure of any kind within an individual facility can create disruptions that, although on a smaller scale, can be as disruptive as the impact of an area-wide loss of service.

This can be devastating to the individual on many levels when the unexpected does occur. This paper will discuss several instances where Ultrasonic Testing clearly uncovers hidden failures certain to cause interruptions if failure stage is achieved. Preventing equipment failures and outages may avoid the most simple of convenience from impact, such as internet to receive email, all the way to life or death scenarios, such as critical care units in hospitals malfunctioning or worse, failing altogether and patient care compromised. The following examples illustrate why diligence is demanded when approaching an effective program that achieves the goals of reliability and safety.

Bio:  Joseph D. Gierlach Jr, Vice President, Technical Training and Support, TEGG Corporation, Pittsburgh, PA 
Joe has over 20 years experience in the electronics field.   He is responsible for the development and implementation of the initial training program, development of technical experiments, development of safety program to help TEGG meet requirements for NFPA 70E, author of many technical presentations and articles.  Joe is also an instructor for ASNT Level I Certification courses and a seminar instructor for NFPA-70E. Joe is a Certified Level III Infrared Thermographer and a certified Level II Airborne Ultrasound Inspector.