INFRARED DONE RIGHT

Thermography for Electrical Maintenance

The Power of

Electrical Thermography in Predictive Maintenance

Less downtime. More peace of mind. Infrared (IR) thermography is an unparalleled method of preventative maintenance in electrical systems. It saves time, reduces costs, prevents fires, and even saves lives. As the most effective form of non-destructive testing, its benefits are unrivaled.

We’re a thermal imaging company specializing in commercial & industrial electrical systems. By monitoring in real time using thermographic IR equipment, we detect and report anomalies for purposes of preventive maintenance, in accordance with NFPA 70B.

Basically, we help to keep the power on by detecting small problems before they turn into bigger problems.

Why Electrical Thermography?

Poor installation, misuse and overuse of electrical components can lead to excessive heat. If ignored, components will overheat and continue to do so until temperatures become extreme. High electrical resistance, usually from poor connections, generates sparks and resistive heating, which can burn away insulation.

When insulation becomes badly damaged, electricity can take unintended paths, such as grounding out through metal enclosures, causing short circuits. While fuses and breakers should de-energize the circuit to stop the fault current, this can still result in power disruptions.

Best-Case and
Worst-Case Scenarios

In the best-case scenario, an electrical problem might result in the loss of non-critical equipment, such as the nuisance tripping of a breaker cutting off power to a few receptacles. However, the worst-case scenario could be a severe electrical fire, which can occur if an upstream protective device fails to operate correctly, allowing continuous sparks to ignite nearby combustibles.

Consequences of Failing Electrical Components

Failing electrical components can lead to production losses, property damage, and even fire or injury. Regular maintenance, including routine infrared (IR) inspections, can greatly improve the performance and reliability of a facility’s electrical system. Just as you wouldn’t drive a car for 20,000 miles without an oil change, your electrical system needs regular check-ups.

What Causes Overheating?

Overheating in electrical systems is primarily caused by faulty connections and contacts. These issues can arise from under-torqued or cross-threaded connections, as well as from normal wear-and-tear over time.

01

Connections / Contacts

Connections can overheat due to being under-torqued, cross-threaded, or from heavy use over time.

02

From Normal to Excessive Heating

Equipment aging and continuous use near capacity can escalate normal heating to excessive heating.

03

Overloading / Undersizing

Overheating can occur in household connectors or large industrial breakers, especially when machinery is added without increasing electrical capacity.