Thermography on Electrical Panels
Detect hot connections and anomalies on busbars, breakers and joints using IR.
- Support for scheduled maintenance
- Safe inspections using IR windows
- Reduced failure and fire risk
Method
- Check load and safety conditions
- IR inspection using IR windows or safe panel opening
- ΔT comparison between phases/equivalent components
- Priority classification and recommendations
- Post‑maintenance verification
Ref.: NFPA 70B:2023 suggests at least annual inspection; more often for critical conditions.
Scope & typical use cases
Infrared inspection of live electrical assets finds the failure modes that develop silently under load: loose or oxidised connections on busbars and lugs, overloaded phases, failing breakers and contactors, and unbalanced loads that shorten equipment life. Because the survey is contactless and performed with the panel energised — ideally at 40–60% of rated load or higher — production does not stop while we work.
Typical engagements include annual whole-plant campaigns on LV/MV switchboards and motor control centres, targeted follow-ups after maintenance or retrofit work, insurance-driven inspections (many insurers now request periodic IR surveys per NFPA 70B-style programmes), and pre-shutdown screening so the maintenance window is spent fixing known hot spots instead of hunting for them. Where panels are equipped with IR windows we inspect without opening covers at all, which keeps arc-flash exposure and downtime near zero.
Each anomaly is classified by measured ΔT against the equivalent component on a comparable phase and load, so the maintenance team gets a prioritised list — repair now, plan within the month, watch at next survey — rather than a folder of thermal images to interpret.
Deliverables
- PDF report with hot connections and severity
- IR/visible images with component markings
- Corrective actions (tightening, replacement, load redistribution)
Reference Standards
- NFPA 70B:2023
