Infrared Electrical Inspection Services

Thermal infrared electrical imaging is most commonly used for inspecting electrical switchgear because they are fast and non-contact. Typical electrical thermal scans are qualitative, comparing similar components for irregularities.

If you are a facility manager, maintenance manager or building owner responsible for safety, production and repair at your facility, you should consider a regular infrared (IR) electrical inspection of your electrical system including panels, switches, disconnects, motors, and MCC.

How Infrared Electrical Scans Work

Temperature anomalies appear even when a visible inspection reveal little or nothing at all. Thermography is very effective in detecting these anomalies because they are easily recognized with an IR camera. When the equipment is under normal loads and components have different temperatures then this would be an anomaly or finding.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) for 2023 70B requires that every commercial and industrial building in the United States should have an IR survey at least once a year. GSA recommends annul inspection also. Increasingly commercial building insurance companies are requiring IR surveys of electrical and mechanical systems for their insured. Some companies may even offer discounts if you have the surveys performed. We inspect airports, hotels, hospitals, data centers, casinos, schools, apartment complexes, medical centers, banks, grocery stores, restaurants, grain elevators and universities. Also Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspections.

Thermography should be a part of your Predictive Maintenance Program. Minimizing damage to electrical systems, addressing and correcting potential safety and operation-stopping hazards prevents downtime, saves money and protects employees.

Due to the dangers of arc flash, typically above 480 volts, only trained personnel should open and close equipment enclosures and take any readings. Common sense should rule. In some cases an infrared windows can be installed on equipment that is difficult to get to or dangerous and need of an infrared scan often.

Why Advanced Infrared Electrical Service?

We provide detailed, high-quality and easy to understand certified infrared inspection reports that thoroughly documenting our findings that can be included in your preventive maintenance. We are trained and certified Level II IR inspection.

If you need an infrared electrical scan in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Katy or anywhere you can contact us for a free proposal.

Infrared Electrical Inspection Services

Thermal infrared electrical imaging is most commonly used for inspecting electrical switchgear because they are fast and non-contact. Typical electrical thermal scans are qualitative, comparing similar components for irregularities.

If you are a facility manager, maintenance manager or building owner responsible for safety, production and repair at your facility, you should not be without a regular infrared (IR) electrical inspection of your electrical system including panels, switches, disconnects, motors, bus ducts and MCC.

How Infrared Electrical Scans Work

Temperature anomalies appear even when a visible inspection reveal little or nothing at all. Thermography is very effective in detecting these anomalies because they are easily recognized with an IR camera. When the equipment is under normal loads and components have different temperatures then this would be an anomaly or finding.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70B for 2023 now requires that every commercial and industrial building in the United States should have an IR survey at least once a year. GSA recommends annul inspection also. Increasingly commercial building insurance companies are requiring IR surveys of electrical and mechanical systems for their insured. Some companies may even offer discounts if you have the surveys performed. We inspect airports, hotels, hospitals, casinos, schools, apartment complexes, medical centers, banks, grocery stores, restaurants, grain elevators and universities. Also Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) inspections.

Thermography should be a part of your Predictive Maintenance Program. Minimizing damage to electrical systems, addressing and correcting potential safety and operation-stopping hazards prevents downtime, saves money and protects employees.

Due to the dangers of arc flash, typically above 480 volts, only trained personnel should open and close equipment enclosures and take any readings. Common sense should rule. In some cases an infrared windows can be installed on equipment that is difficult to get to or dangerous and need of an infrared scan often.

Why Advanced Infrared Electrical Service?

We provide detailed, high-quality and easy to understand certified infrared inspection reports that thoroughly documenting our findings that can be included in your preventive maintenance. We are trained and certified Level II IR inspection. We have conducted IR scans on over 12,500 pieces of electrical equipment.

If you need an infrared electrical scan in Austin, Dallas, Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Katy or anywhere you can contact us for a free proposal.

thermal infrared hot connection Houston Texas

Thermal infrared hot connection and visual of electrical breaker (hover)

Infrared image of a hot fuse and visual of the fuse bank (hover)

Why Infrared Inspections Work

George Ohm discovered Ohm’s Las that says as resistance increases at a given current the component temperature will rise and dissipate more power. This can be costly for many reason. The temperature increase causes accelerating aging which can lead to failure. There is a voltage drop and increase in current. Loss of watts dissipated as heat.

Georg Ohm on Wikipedia

Most electrical equipment will get hot before they fail which makes infrared inspection the perfect tool to diagnose the electric system. Better to catch the problem before it fails and ends up being very expensive.

What can be found in IR scans:

Short circuits
Loose connections
Open circuits
Bad breakers
Faulty fuses
Overloads
Unbalanced loads
Inductive currents
Energized grounds

Some of the benefits of IR scans:

Quick to find problems
No need to shut down the system
Reduces downtime
Increase equipment life
Prevents costly failures
Low risk
Lower equipment repair cost
Improve inspection efficiency

Download sample pdf report

Developmental Proprietary Total Severity Rating

Over time you can see that infrared survey is making a difference. Based on number of components scanned and ratings of any findings.

0.0 to 1.0 is Low
1.1 to 3.0 is Average
3.1 to 7.0 is Above Average
Above 7.0 is High

Possible use to adjust length of time between infrared surveys. Higher the serverity the shorter the time between survey and lower the severity the more time can pass between survey.

Thermal image of loose connection on breaker

Loose connection found with infrared camera

Overheated fuse shown with thermal inspection

Electrical inspection with infrared locates hot fuse

We inspect schools, hospitals, apartments, university, hotels, commercial and industrial facilities and more. If your insurance company wants you to get an IR scan then contact us.

We are in Katy Texas and serve all of the state of Texas as well as other areas.