Why a Thermography Test for Electrical
From residential homes to towering skyscrapers, electrical systems are crucial. Consider all the components needed to construct a system: electrical panels maintain lighting, HVAC, and machinery. Unfortunately, verifying system health is critical. Electrical system problems can lead to breakdowns, fires, and costly downtime. A Thermography Test for Electrical Panels is a preventative method to discover the hidden issues.
Of the many faults that can occur in electrical systems, some will lead to the generation of abnormal amounts of heat. A Thermography Test is a preventative maintenance tool that assists in the discovery of electrical faults using infrared imaging. This test is particularly useful when a system is too large to be shut down in order to diagnose the faults. This type of imaging can also be used to find leaks in systems that contain moisture.
What Is A Thermography Test for Electrical Panels?
A Thermography Test for Electrical Panels uses an infrared imaging system to scan for electrical components that experience excessive heat. Many electrical components will generate heat, and an electrical fault in that component will generate even more heat. In these situations, the component will produce a heat signature that is visible to the infrared imaging camera.
Since the equipment is being tested while it is operating, the system can stay in service, which promotes business continuity.
Common Electrical Issues Identified by Thermography
Like anything else, electrical systems degrade over time. Small problems can become major issues. Thermography Tests for Electrical Panels can reveal several hidden electrical system problems, like:
Loose Electrical Connections
Loose connections contribute to resistance, which causes heat to build and damage wires. Insulation can be ruined, and the potential for electrical fires increases. Before damage gets that bad, the heat will be identified as a hotspot with thermal imaging.
Overloaded Circuits
Going over the designed current amount will inevitably cause overheating of circuits. When that happens, infrared thermography can be used to find overloaded breakers and circuits to address the issue.
Unbalanced Electrical Loads
Some electrical components will be made to work harder if electrical loads are unbalanced. The harder they work, the more they overheat, and the shorter their lifespan. Thermal inspections identify these loads and can adjust them.
Corroded Components
With time and exposure to the environment, connections can be corroded which also increases resistance. Detecting corrosion will help avoid sudden equipment failures and will help maintain structural integrity.
Failing Equipment
Before the failure of aging electrical components, patterns of heat that are out of the norm will be formed. To avoid the expense of failure and replace equipment, thermography can be used.
How Thermal Imaging Saves Money
Electrical failures could cause repairs to be excessively expensive and cause other problems. A Thermography Test for Electrical Panels can help save money because it detects problems early.
Less Unscheduled Downtime
Unwanted electrical failures halt business and, therefore, manufacturing activity. Early detection of electrical problems with thermography allows repairs to be made during scheduled maintenance to minimize problems.
Cases of Electrical Fires
Overheated electrical components are one of the main causes of commercial and industrial fires. Hotspots can be detected with the help of thermal imaging, and can help to avoid source of ignition and makes the workplace safer.
Improves the Longevity of Equipment
When electrical components are seen to have issues and are corrected promptly, the stress on the components is less and the longevity of the components is greater.
Decreases Cost of Maintenance
Emergency repairs can be much more expensive than the regular maintenance. When problems are noticed and solved, it will minimize the repairs needed and will also minimize the costs of replacing the equipment.
Improve the Efficiency of Energy
Defective electrical components can generate excess heat and a Thermography Test for Electrical Panels can help identify the components of the electrical panel that are operating outside of the normal range.
Industries that Electrical Thermography can be Used
Since electrical systems are found in almost every industry, Thermal Imaging Inspections can be used in almost every industry.
Manufacturing Facilities
Most factories use electrical systems to automate the majority of the processes. Thermography can help reduce the risk of an electrical failure that can stop the entire manufacturing process.
Commercial Buildings
Thermal imaging can be used to check electrical systems in office buildings, shopping centers, and hotels to help ensure that the systems are safe and will not fail.
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and medical centers need to have electrical power for all of their equipment run continuously. Infrared inspections help provide assurance that the systems will be operational.
Data Centers
Severe operational problems and loss of data for a business can be caused by an electrical failure in a data center. Thermography can be used for preventive maintenance.
Residential Properties
Thermal inspections can help detect damaged systems and help homeowners if their electrical panels are overheating and/or their wiring is having problems.
The Role of Thermography Water Leak Detection
Thermal imaging is useful for more than just electrical inspections. Thermography water leak detection is another common application. Water leaks that go undetected can lead to serious damage to the structure, promote mold growth, and increase utility bills.
Thermal imaging can detect leaks by looking for the temperature changes caused by the accumulation of moisture behind walls, ceilings, and floors. The insulation and other materials that wet the walls, ceilings, and floors tend to retain heat much more than the dry materials. This can be very helpful for technicians to identify water leaks without the need for extensive and costly demolition.
Benefits of Thermography Water Leak Detection
-Detects plumbing leaks
-Prevents mold growth
-Reduces structural damage
-Reduces the cost of repairs
-Eliminates costly and unnecessary demolition
-Enhances property maintenance
Using electrical thermography with moisture inspections aids in the development of a comprehensive preventive maintenance plan of the property.
Why Infrared Thermography Is Better Than the Rest
Most electrical inspections rely heavily on visual observations and manual tests. Most electrical faults are hidden and will only be discovered in the event of an electrical failure. Infrared thermography has many advantages compared to these conventional methods.
Thermal Imaging is a Non-Destructive Inspection
Thermal imaging does not need to the dismantle equipment or damage the structures of the building. The inspections themselves are very quick and easy to do, and of low significance to the overall operations of the equipment.
Real-Time Analysis
Thermal imaging is an excellent method for analyzing system performance while the system is operating under its normal load.
Increased Safety
When performing a thermal scan, the inspector is able to maintain some distance from the equipment. This decreases the exposure of the inspector to potentially hazardous conditions.
Accurate Problem Detection
High-quality thermal imaging affords the inspector a very detailed image, which can guide the inspector to the correct area of the equipment that is presenting the failure.
Indications That You May Need a Thermography Test for Electrical Panels
Most property owners think of contacting a professional only when they notice a problem with the electrical systems. Waiting until the problem manifests is not wise. You should think about getting a Thermography Test for Electrical Panels when you observe:
- Lights that flicker
- Breakers that trip often
- Smells of burning near the electrical panel
- Odd buzzing noises
- Bills that increase in cost
- Equipment that is overheating
- An aging electrical system
Facilities with aging electrical systems need more frequent evaluations of their electrical systems.
How Frequently Should Electrical Thermography Tests Be Done?
The expected frequency of thermographic inspections is dependent on the facility, how the systems in the building are used, and the environment where the building is located. Most experts suggest that commercial and industrial buildings should have at least one inspection a year. More frequent evaluations and inspections of thermographic imaging may be warranted for the safety and reliability of high demand facilities.
Thermographic inspections should be done after:
- Upgrades
- Repairs
- Major Equipment Changes
- Power Surges
- Environmental Disasters
Preventive maintenance programs that incorporate regular thermography testing help keep the level of risk associated with unpredicted system failures to an acceptable level.
How to Choose a Thermography Inspection Service
Choosing thermography inspectors who have adequate experience and who have specialized training in electrical systems is important when the goal is to help identify and evaluate problems accurately. When you are searching for a provider look at their:
- Certifications
- Experience with electrical systems
- Infrared Cameras (how technologically advanced)
- Reporting Skills (how detailed is their report)
- Preventive Maintenance
An inspection should have thermal images, a recorded measurement, a description of what is wrong, and how to fix the problem.
Conclusion
Electrical panels are a prime candidate for thermographic testing as it can be one of the best cost saving preventative measures for electrical failures. Not only can it keep safety risks within acceptable limits, it can actually make your equipment run better. Thermographic imaging can aid business/property owners in taking our proactive measures to prevent serious threats to your business/property.
Both electrical inspections and water leak detection can aid in assessment of structural integrity without the need for testing that could damage the structure. The technologies that use infrared imaging work in unison to ensure the safety of the structural occupants and may also reduce the cost of maintenance over time.
With all of this in mind, the savings that are generated by having regular thermographic inspections is only an additional benefit. You are also maximizing safety and improving your operational reliability.