The intent of this inspection is to assist in the detection of potential equipment failure by measuring abnormal temperature signatures of electrical distribution system components. By evaluating the operating condition of these components, potential failure can be located and problem severity determined as part of a structured ongoing maintenance program where outages and repair of your electrical system can be avoided.

How it works

All objects around us including ourselves are constantly emitting thermal radiation (heat). This technique for making energy visible is called Infrared Thermography. The thermal image is captured by an IR imager for meaningful interpretation. Data it contains is digitally stored and computer processed for further analysis. This information is permanently stored for future reference and trend analysis.

Report Format

Any thermal anomalies are presented on a report page as a thermal image and a digital photograph of the electrical component. To best determine the severity of a problem direct temperature measurements of the equipment and the temperature differential of the faulty component are provided.

Interpreting the Report

Thermographic inspection should be performed under normal equipment load conditions. When equipment can be measured under normal operating conditions the following information can be used as a guide for the action to be taken.

Operating Temp and Temp Differential

Electrical distribution system components are designed to operate within certain temperature parameters. When they continue to operate in excess of those parameters there life is shortened directly proportional to the amount of excess heat. Areas of electrical components operating at higher temperatures then that of the adjacent area are typically an indication of a problem with that component.

Our Part

Components are always inspected for physical damage to determine if the component should be replaced rather then repaired. In our report we will make recommendations that may help you in your maintenance procedure. An inspection should be made after the problem has been repaired to ensure it has been properly corrected.

“Quality Information”. It is essential. If you get any other type, you have wasted your time and your money. In the field of Thermal Imaging of electro-mechanical equipment, “Quality Information” can only be achieved by qualified personnel performing their craft to a specific set of parameters.

Just as you insist on a qualified technician to work on your electrical equipment, your car or even yourself, you should insist your Thermographer is not only certified but also experienced in the field he or she is shooting. Imaging electro-mechanical is a specific field. It is not roofs. It is not building envelopes. That is why you do not have auto mechanics do your plumbing or your brain surgery. They are industry specific.

The Thermal Imaging of electro-mechanical in our present environment is like the “old west”. It is completely unregulated. Anyone with a camera and a “Certificate of Certification” can profess to be a Thermographer. Without the knowledge of the target he is shooting, he is wasting your time and money. Worse yet, he is jeopardizing the integrity of your facility. Your life blood.

When looking for an Infrared company, ask if the equipment to be Imaged is opened for the Thermographer. Then listen carefully. There is a difference between opening a cover and removing a cover. Opening a cover may be as simple as it sounds. It is done quickly. It may be why that price is so cheap. It doesn’t work!

In Imaging electrical equipment, it is necessary to remove all covers, deadfronts, access panels and open all disconnects. While an Infrared Camera may see trace heat on the outside of a cover, it does not see through the cover. It cannot detect heat from bad connections or failing fuseholders. It cannot tell you what amp load is on the specific device. The time and effort must be expended to determine what the heat source is. It is necessary to understand that in some cases, some heat is the “nature of the beast”.

“Quality Information”. It can only be obtained by doing a quality job with quality personnel. In this case people who have experience in the electro-mechanical field. Anything else is a waste of your time and money.

American Training and Inspection has worked in the electrical safety industry for the past 35 years. We have had the opportunity to help in the safety aspect of the school systems in a large area of the United States. We would like to share some of these things with the infrared community.

A school system in a small rural area had contracted with us to do the infrared inspections on the schools in there entire district. For them it was a large undertaking and the expense seemed to be a large ticket item. This in the few days that followed proved to be a small expense when it came to the safety of the children. Our company sent it one thermographer for the eight building system with an estimated twelve days of on site work and imaging with the assistance of one maintenance worker from each building to help remove and reinstall panel covers. One of the buildings was constructed twenty six years ago and had all of the appropriate inspections both when the building was completed and on a yearly basis as part of the building Pm program (of which we were impressed). As the inspection moved at a brisk pace revealing a few problems, but nothing of great consequence.

On the second day of the inspection a disconnect was opened that had not been opened since the original construction. This disconnect was up hill of a 480 volt transformer feeding four sub panels that lead to class rooms. When the door was opened it was apparent that no fuses had been installed from the original construction, four pieces of number 10 wire were in place in lieu of the fuses. A short piece of wire such as this at 480 volts would carry enough current to start a sizeable fire or even create an electrical explosion. This anomaly was noticed and corrected before a life threatening disaster could occur.

After a few more days went buy and only small problems were found the main switchgear was opened in the middle school to find #2 aluminum wire that had been so hot that the insulation was melted off. When it went through a pipe to the fused disconnect the insulation was so brittle that it could not be moved without the wire shorting into the case of the solenoid bank it fed. This problem was more of a threat to the maintenance staff than to the students, due to it being situated in a boiler room that was not open to the children.

These are only two stories that happened in one of the school systems we have inspected. The dangers could go on as long as there are buildings.