Why Maintain Electrical Circuits? | How Thermal Imaging Prevents Electrical Faults

Be Proactive: Use thermal imaging to prevent electrical faults

Things are humming along nicely when all of a sudden, your electrical supply: kaput. It can happen any day, at any hour, and beyond the inconvenience, an unplanned electrical outage is costly and worse – highly dangerous. 

How’s this for a motivating statistic: 22% of industrial fires are caused by faulty electrical equipment. With this kind of liability, prevention is better than cure. In response, Thermal Imaging is emerging as a top tech for building maintenance. And in turn, insurance companies cost-cut for businesses implementing proactive strategies to reduce risk.  

Thermal Imaging Explained

Otherwise known as thermography, Thermal Imaging uses a sophisticated electrical thermal imaging camera to calculate the infrared radiation (heat) an object gives off. This data is then used to compose images of these objects, even in low-light environments. Emitted energy, known as ‘heat signature,’ is then transformed into a distinctive colour gradient that portrays temperature variation accurate to one-tenth of a degree. In these greyscale images, white equals heat, black equals cold, and the greys show temp gradients between the extremes. Some cutting-edge models include colour. 

A virtually undetectable tool, you want Thermal Imaging on your side to expose problems, keep your workplace assets safe and save on spendy repairs. Rest assured, knowing your building inhabitants are safe and sound. For an office building, a Thermal Imaging scan is recommended every 2-3 years. Manufacturing sites experience a high-power drain on electrical systems, requiring a more frequent scan each year. 

Electrical Maintenance Matters

An electrical infrared inspection can stave off electrical failure and find overheated parts in electrical devices and switchboards. Detect hot spots caused by loose electrical connections, unstable loads, overloading on electrical circuits and degrading insulation or wire damage waged by pests. Thermography scanning of the switchboard is a highly effective means of mitigation.

The Benefits Are Hot

Thermal Imaging has more than one purpose. Across all of its applications, the practice has racked up some impressive benefits. Here are ten:

  1. Reduced Downtime
    It’s only a matter of time until equipment lets you down. Thermal Imaging is non-contact and non-invasive tech, so everything keeps on keeping on while inspections are happening; productivity, profitability and workplace safety are intact. Planning for zero or nominal downtime is a no-brainer.

  2. Repairs Needed
    As temperature variations are measured, areas in need of repair come to light. When you’re not on top of problem areas, you can evade costly excess maintenance.

  3. Lost Production
    Getting ahead of problems diminishes outages. The gap lies in the productivity that can continue if you identify equipment issues before they fail. TI scans ultimately let people keep doing what they need to do.

  4. No Surprises
    Lessening the risk of faults through
    thermal imaging electrical testing keeps expensive equipment safe and saves money. No one wants to hear the words ‘you need a new one’ out of the blue. Thermal Imaging
    is a form of active maintenance that lessens costly and vital equipment replacement.

  5. Hot Spots Exposed
    Because these spots emit more heat, they can’t hide from Thermal Imaging. The result of lousy airflow, loose or damaged wiring, component failure or overloading – find these spots before they become a problem.

  6. Seal the Deal
    By locating any air leaks or moisture penetration, you can avoid the costly repairs of the resulting damage. And because you’re not allowing anything to get to the point of disrepair, Thermal Imaging helps you avoid any exploratory demolition

  7. Long Term Repair
    Thermal Imaging is an active management strategy, as opposed to dealing with issues when they arise. Because you’re maintaining as you go, there’s no scrambling for parts, supplies or labour when things go wrong. Frequent, planned repair is better than breakdown costs.

  8. Insurance Issues
    Having the precaution of Thermal Imaging in place means your insurance company can be confident you’re less of a liability. It’s a fact – these scans keep the cost of insurance claims down, and some insurers even mandate these scans.

  9. Surely Safer
    Knowing you’re regularly monitoring for any problems means less OH&S risk. Thermal Imaging prevents equipment failure, fire risk and harm to occupants. Early detection of hot components helps avoid the development of unbalanced or overloaded circuits. It also lessens the risk of melting or sparking cables which are fire hazards.

  10. Speedy and Exact
    hermal Imaging surveys are fast, and they calculate the surface temp distribution of electrical and mechanical equipment under normal load conditions. No need for any time-draining prep work.
Thermal image of power electric wires

Be Proactive, Not Reactive

Prevention is better than cure – it’s worth saying twice. Thermal imaging of electrical panels is a top tool for recognising stressed elements of your electrical system before they cause issues. In a nutshell – solve the problem as a matter of planned maintenance before it causes you strife. Instead of relying on protection systems like sprinklers to keep risk at bay, Thermal Imaging lets you locate potential problems invisible to the naked eye. Avoid downtime, and don’t risk putting property and lives in danger.

Please chat with our team of electrical specialists to find out more or book your thermal inspection. Put this intelligent process in motion and take the heat off risks to your building.