We detect and document electrical system overloads, loose and defective components with infrared thermography

Georg Simon Ohm (16 March 1789 - 6 July 1854) was a German physicist who discovered that there is a direct proportionality between the potential difference (voltage) applied across a conductor and the resultant electric-current now known as "Ohm's Law".

 This infrared image of a circuit breaker panel clearly shows several connections which are generating more heat than others.  Some problems can be caused by loose wires, corroded connections or excessive current draw.

Having an infrared scan of your electrical systems now, is a very low cost way to minimize the risk or injury, liability, catastrophic failures and downtime in the future. Few things have the great ROI of an infrared electricial scan!

Before an electrical component burns up, it heats up. Infrared thermography is used to perform Pd/Pm inspections on electrical equipment because excess heat is usually the first sign of trouble on electrical (or mechanical) apparatus. These failures come in the form of  loose connections,  imbalanced circuits, defective breakers, damaged switches, faulty fuses or fuse clips, overloaded circuits, workmanship or material defects and a wide range of other conditions which eventually lead to excess heat and component failure.

Defective Knuckles on disconnect switch overheating.		Defective fuse clip will cause circuit failure.

 Infrared Thermography finds the problems early in the failure cycle. Early detection allows your maintenance personnel to take corrective action before a component fails, minimizing damage to the component, reducing repair costs, eliminating production losses, preventing safety hazards and saving energy. Call us to discuss ROI on a cost effective electrical scan at your facility.

Infrared scanning of electrical components and systems should be part of any predictive maintenance program and performed on a routine basis. The use of Infrared to detect the early indications of failure is a prudent and very cost effective solution to electricial PDm. With Infrared, preemptive action can be take to minimize equipment breakdowns and safety hazards.

 Spliced connection overheats and loose breaker wire

The electrical distribution system is the foundation for every other system in your commercial building. Let's face it, if the electrical system isn't working, neither is your communication, fire and/life safety, security, or any other mechanical systems! It might seem like overkill to go through the commissioning process, but a study on losses associated with electrical failure showed that over 50% of the 766 losses were caused by inadequate maintenance and testing, costing close to $4 million dollars!

The image on the left shows a severely overheated connection, it will eventually fail. Fortunately, this company's insurance insisted on an Infrared electrical scan prior to underwriting the policy...smart people!

Infrared scans of Electrical power systems

• Determines if the components and system have been properly installed and are not damaged
• Reduces downtime
• Reduces risk of equipment failure
• Increases safety
• Improves insurability
• Reduces liability exposure of the designers and installers
• Improves system performance
• Determines whether components and systems operate properly and meet the design intent
• Determines if components and systems are in compliance with the project specifications and design
• Reduces construction schedule delays
• Saves money

If you have a new or remodelled commercial building, or are installing, upgrading or maintaining your commercial power system, feel free to give us a call and set up an electrical infrared scan of site. Make sure you are getting what you pay for, and that your building and systems are functioning according to specifications!

These supply cables display a thermal signature which indicates they are overheating at the lug connection. The vertical buss barr is also hot due to a loose connection where it screws into the lower section of buss bar.

Infrared thermography can quickly identify potential problems with breakers, inter connections, wire crimps, and loose or corroded connections. You can reduce unscheduled down time and catastrophic failures with an Infrared electrical survey.

An effective preventative maintenance strategy would include an infrared scan of all electrical, moving and rotating equipment!

 In this image (left) of a UPS supply during a load test, a battery which is more resistive literally screams, "Replace me, I'm running hot!"

For battery banks, an IR scan is a great way to perform a quality check of the entire "System" not just any one cell.

We can see thermal abnormalities in each battery, connector, and terminal block. Every interconnect cable, distribution panel, and fuse can be checked!

For preventative maintenance on electrical systems, it's hard to beat the NON-CONTACT method of infrared!