Thermography Of Electrical Panels

In a typical manufacturing plant infrared thermography inspections did on electrical systems such as electrical switchboards high voltage distribution equipment motors corresponding controllers transformers and other control panels.

Thermography of electrical panels.

Infrared thermography is a test that can be utilised to identify unbalanced loads poor connections deteriorated insulation or any other issues in energized electrical panels or components without dismantling the components. The two nfpa documents that have changed the face of infrared thermography over the last few decades are nfpa 70b and nfpa 70e. Businesses with high electrical demands should have a thermographic scan performed at least annually on critical systems such as circuit panels switchgears and transformers. Question how often does thermography have to be done on our electrical system answer.

Infrared thermography is used to find areas of excess heat caused by increased resistance so that problems can be corrected before a component fails causing damage to the component creating safety hazards and productivity loss. Using thermal imaging cameras we can help you to inspect electrical systems in your premises. Infrared electrical inspections find hot spots caused by defects in connections and components. They do this to mitigate losses.

Based on the scan results a schedule to rescan should be based on the types of equipment power consumption and age of the electrical systems. Electrical thermography can diagnose faults in electrical systems. Statistics reveal that electrical equipment damage and lost connections cause 25 30 of all failures to switchboards switches circuit breakers and cables. At the electrical panels infrared thermography is used to perform preventive maintenance inspections broadly the following can be observed loose connections terminations oxidation at the cable termination points dust deposition at terminations defective lug crimping overloaded or imbalanced circuits.

Firstly in most countries thermography is not a legal requirement however there are other reasons that it should be done. This type of fault is easy to detect using infrared cameras. Some insurance companies require thermography to be done as part of their insurance requirements. 70b is the recommended practice for electrical equipment maintenance while 70e is the standard that covers electrical safety in the workplace.