Electrical Infrared Inspection

When failing or loose electrical components are present, they create heat. If arcing conditions are present or enough heat has been generated, electrical concerns can be identified visually without assistance from special equipment. However, once visible indications of an issue are present, it is often too late to perform a planned downtime repair.

Infrared thermal imaging inspections of electrical equipment can detect these hazardous conditions before they become visible to the naked eye and result in unplanned failures... or worse, an impending injury or fire.  Methodical inspections are performed of all electrical components within a facility or building. The infrared inspection is conducted following NFPA 70E safety guidelines, and documents any thermal exceptions in electrical equipment that may be encountered. Careful calculations and interpretation of the recorded thermal data can determine how severe the risk or electrical thermal exception is. A written report is provided to the client, documenting the observations with recorded images, important inspection data, and repair priority status. This assists electrical personnel in determining if immediate repair is needed, if the item can be fixed at the next planned maintenance interval, or if the component needs routine monitoring for changing conditions.  The reports can then be filed and referred to in future infrared inspections for system condition monitoring purposes.

This is contingent on a number of factors.  More and more insurance providers are encouraging their insured to have an infrared inspection performed of all their facility electrical systems because they understand risk reduction benefits. Depending on requirements or facility type, insurance providers are recommending an infrared electrical inspection be performed every 1-3 years.

As part of the commissioning process, an infrared inspection is performed on new construction electrical systems shortly after installation which establishes parameters to base future surveys on, and determine if any initial concerns are present.

GREAT QUESTION! 

Most of the time the answer is YES.  Unless a specialized optical device called an "infrared window" (also referred to as a viewport) has been installed in the electrical equipment, which permits infrared inspection without removing the deadfront or access cover, then the covers will need removed.  While infrared is a non-contact inspection method, it does require line-of-sight to the subject. Panel covers are safely opened and removed by a qualified electrical assistant. Many facilities have qualified maintenance personnel on hand to perform this task. When facilities do not have such personnel, a qualified assistant meeting NFPA 70E guidelines is brought in to assist during the inspection process.

I have devoted years of time and investment in quality training and equipment to provide our clients a truly unbiased and experienced infrared inspection service.  BC Warner Inspections does not perform repairs, so our service remains truly unbiased and dedicated to your best interest and trust.  My knowledge and experience in commercial electrical infrared inspections is surpassed by few.  In fact, as the Educational Director for the National Association of Commercial Building Inspectors & Thermographers™, I find myself answering questions and providing technical support to many local and regional infrared companies, as well as to inspectors across the United States and Canada who actively seek advice from an experienced thermographer. Infrared technology and training varies dramatically in quality, specifications, and of course costs.  Many providers, contractors, and individual inspectors unfortunately choose to enter this profession as cheaply as possible with little to no training and grossly inadequate equipment.  When accuracy, quality, and experience matters in such an important application as an Infrared electrical inspection, BC Warner Inspections & Thermal Imaging Services is the right choice for your facility.  I encourage you to choose wisely and compare credentials, experience, and sample reports.