How Infrared Thermography Helps Louisville Businesses Prevent Costly Electrical Problems

Electrical problems don’t always give you an obvious warning before equipment fails.

A loose connection, overloaded component or deteriorating electrical connection can begin producing abnormal heat while the equipment still appears to be operating normally. By the time there is visible damage, an outage or equipment failure, the problem may already be much more disruptive to repair.

Infrared thermography gives businesses another way to evaluate the condition of electrical equipment by identifying unusual temperature patterns that may deserve further investigation.

For businesses in Louisville and throughout Kentuckiana, thermal imaging can be an important part of a proactive electrical maintenance strategy, especially in facilities where an unexpected electrical shutdown could interrupt operations, production or customer service.

What Is Infrared Thermography?

Infrared thermography uses a specialized thermal camera to detect infrared energy emitted from the surface of electrical equipment.

The camera converts that information into a thermal image that allows a trained professional to compare temperatures across components and identify unusual patterns.

Instead of showing what something looks like visually, a thermal image shows differences in apparent surface temperature.

That can be useful because some electrical problems generate excess heat before they produce obvious symptoms.

Laswell provides professional infrared thermography services for commercial and industrial electrical systems throughout Louisville, Southern Indiana and the surrounding Kentuckiana area.

What Can an Electrical Thermal Imaging Inspection Find?

Infrared thermography doesn’t diagnose every electrical problem by itself.

Instead, it can identify thermal anomalies that may indicate an electrical condition that needs further evaluation.

Depending on the equipment and operating conditions, unusual heat patterns may be associated with issues such as:

• Loose or high-resistance connections
• Overloaded electrical components
• Uneven loading between phases
• Deteriorating breakers or disconnects
• Abnormal heating at terminals
• Problems within switchgear or switchboards
• Overheating motor-control components
• Failing electrical connections
• Other components operating at unexpected temperatures

A thermal anomaly tells the electrician where to look more closely.

Additional testing, inspection or troubleshooting may be necessary to determine the actual cause and the appropriate corrective action.

Why Is Infrared Thermography Useful for Businesses?

Commercial and industrial facilities often depend on electrical equipment that operates for long periods and supports critical parts of the business.

An electrical failure could affect production equipment, refrigeration, HVAC, lighting, communications, computers or an entire section of the building.

Finding developing electrical problems before they result in a shutdown gives facility owners and managers more options.

Instead of responding after equipment fails, the business may be able to investigate the condition, determine the appropriate repair and schedule the work around normal operations.

That is one of the biggest advantages of including thermography in a broader preventative electrical maintenance program.

Why Are Electrical Thermal Inspections Often Performed Under Load?

Heat patterns in electrical equipment can change depending on how much current the equipment is carrying.

For that reason, thermographic inspections are often most useful when equipment is operating under representative conditions.

An electrical component that appears normal with very little load may behave differently when the facility is operating closer to its typical demand.

The technician should consider operating conditions when evaluating thermal images so temperature differences are interpreted in the proper context.

This is also why a single thermal image shouldn’t automatically be treated as proof that a component has failed.

The temperature pattern, electrical load, surrounding conditions and comparison with similar components all contribute to the evaluation.

Does Electrical Equipment Have to Be Opened for Thermography?

Sometimes.

A thermal camera cannot simply see through a metal electrical enclosure.

The camera needs a clear line of sight to the component being evaluated. Depending on the equipment, that may require qualified personnel to access areas of energized electrical equipment using appropriate electrical safety procedures.

Some facilities use infrared inspection windows that provide a thermal-camera view of internal components without opening the equipment enclosure during each inspection.

The appropriate inspection method depends on the equipment and facility.

Because energized electrical equipment presents shock and arc-flash hazards, electrical thermography should be performed by qualified personnel following appropriate safety procedures.

Can Infrared Cameras See Through Walls or Electrical Panels?

No.

This is a common misconception about thermal imaging.

A thermal camera measures infrared energy coming from surfaces within its field of view. It does not provide an X-ray view through drywall, metal electrical panels or other solid materials.

Thermal imaging may reveal a temperature pattern on an accessible surface that suggests further investigation is needed, but the camera does not allow the electrician to see hidden wiring directly through a wall.

For electrical inspections, direct access or an appropriate infrared inspection window may be necessary to evaluate internal components.

What Electrical Equipment Can Be Inspected?

The specific equipment included in a thermographic inspection depends on the facility and its electrical system.

Common inspection targets can include:

• Electrical panels and panelboards
• Switchboards
• Switchgear
• Breakers
• Disconnects
• Bus connections
• Terminals
• Motor control centers
• Starters
• Distribution equipment
• Service equipment
• Other accessible electrical components

Facilities with larger or more complex electrical systems may have hundreds of potential inspection points.

The inspection plan should focus on equipment that is important to the operation of the facility as well as equipment where failure could create significant safety or operational consequences.

If thermography reveals equipment that is aging, overloaded or no longer appropriate for the facility’s needs, commercial panel and service upgrades may be one part of the corrective plan.

How Can Infrared Thermography Reduce Unexpected Downtime?

The biggest financial impact of an electrical failure may not be the repair itself.

Downtime can affect employees, customers, production schedules, refrigeration, computer systems, building operations and other equipment throughout the facility.

Thermal imaging can help identify abnormal conditions before a complete failure occurs.

If an issue is found early enough, the business may be able to schedule troubleshooting or repairs during a planned maintenance window rather than waiting for an unexpected shutdown.

Thermography can’t guarantee that electrical equipment will never fail, but it can give businesses more information about equipment condition and help them make maintenance decisions earlier.

Can Infrared Thermography Prevent Electrical Fires?

Infrared thermography does not prevent a fire by itself.

What it can do is identify abnormal heat patterns associated with certain electrical conditions that may require corrective action.

For example, excessive heat at a connection or electrical component may warrant further inspection to determine why the temperature is elevated.

Finding and correcting a developing electrical problem can reduce the likelihood that the condition progresses into a more serious failure.

Thermography is therefore best viewed as one tool within a broader electrical safety and maintenance program rather than a standalone fire-prevention system.

Does Thermal Imaging Replace a Regular Electrical Inspection?

No.

A thermal inspection and a conventional electrical inspection provide different information.

Visual inspections can identify physical damage, corrosion, missing components, improper installations and other visible conditions.

Electrical testing can provide information that a thermal camera cannot.

Thermography adds another layer by allowing the electrician to evaluate temperature patterns while equipment is operating.

Used together, these methods can provide a much more complete picture of the condition of a commercial electrical system.

What Happens If a Thermal Inspection Finds a Hot Spot?

Finding a hot spot is the beginning of the diagnostic process, not necessarily the end.

The next step is to determine why that component is operating at a different temperature.

That may involve:

• Comparing it with similar components
• Reviewing electrical loading
• Inspecting connections
• Taking electrical measurements
• Evaluating the age and condition of the equipment
• Reviewing previous inspection results
• Performing additional troubleshooting

Once the cause is understood, the electrician can recommend the appropriate corrective action.

Some findings may warrant prompt attention, while others can be monitored or scheduled for repair as part of planned maintenance.

What Should Be Included in a Thermography Report?

Documentation is an important part of a useful thermographic inspection.

A report may include thermal images, corresponding visible-light photographs, equipment identification, observed temperature differences and notes about conditions that deserve additional evaluation.

Clear documentation is particularly valuable when inspections are repeated over time.

Facility managers can compare current findings with previous inspections and identify whether a condition has changed.

That turns thermography from a one-time snapshot into a more useful part of an ongoing electrical maintenance program.

How Often Should a Business Schedule Infrared Thermography?

There isn’t one inspection interval that is appropriate for every facility.

The frequency should depend on factors such as:

• Type of electrical equipment
• Equipment condition
• Importance of the equipment to operations
• Electrical loading
• Facility environment
• Maintenance history
• Previous thermographic findings
• Applicable maintenance standards or requirements

A facility with aging equipment or critical production systems may require a different inspection strategy than a small commercial office.

Instead of relying on a generic annual or semiannual rule, businesses should develop an inspection schedule that fits the condition and importance of their electrical equipment.

Which Louisville Businesses Can Benefit From Infrared Thermography?

Thermal imaging can be useful anywhere electrical reliability matters, but it is especially valuable in facilities where unexpected downtime would have a significant operational impact.

That can include:

• Manufacturing facilities
• Warehouses and distribution centers
• Office buildings
• Retail properties
• Restaurants
• Healthcare and professional facilities
• Schools and institutions
• Hotels and hospitality properties
• Multi-tenant commercial buildings
• Facilities with critical electrical equipment

The larger or more electrically intensive the operation, the more valuable proactive condition monitoring can become.

How Does Thermography Fit Into Preventative Electrical Maintenance?

Thermography is most valuable when it is part of a larger maintenance strategy.

A commercial electrical maintenance program can combine thermal imaging with visual inspections, testing, equipment servicing, repairs and long-term planning.

Thermal findings can help businesses prioritize where attention is needed rather than replacing equipment simply because it is old or waiting until something fails.

Over time, that information can help facility managers understand which electrical systems are stable, which conditions are changing and where future capital improvements may need to be planned.

Infrared thermography is one of several commercial electrical services Laswell provides to help businesses maintain safer and more reliable electrical systems.

Infrared Thermography for Louisville Businesses

Unexpected electrical failures can be disruptive and expensive, but many developing problems create warning signs before complete failure occurs.

Infrared thermography gives qualified electrical professionals a way to identify abnormal temperature patterns, investigate potential problems and help businesses plan corrective work before an issue becomes more disruptive.

Laswell provides infrared thermographic inspections for commercial and industrial facilities throughout Louisville, Southern Indiana and the greater Kentuckiana region.

If you’d like to incorporate thermal imaging into your facility’s electrical maintenance plan, contact Laswell at 502-231-6326.