Infrared electrical inspection, electrical testing finds hot connections

Infrared Electrical Inspections

Detect system overloads, loose and defective components. Infrared electrical testing finds hot, dangerous problems fast.

Call 845-641-5482 to schedule an infrared electrical survey.

Infrared image of hot connection on 800Amp switch

These images from an electrical infrared inspection show overheated connections. The left image is an 800 amp switch with an internal connection problem overheating the bottom right wires. The right image shows heat generated from a loose connection on the top wire.

How does Infrared find electrical problems?

Georg Simon Ohm (16 March 1789 - 6 July 1854) was a German physicist who discovered there is direct proportionality between the voltage applied across a conductor and the resultant electric-current now known as "Ohm's Law".

Ohm discovered that for a given current, as a component's resistance increases it will dissipate more power and its temperature will rise.

Increased resistance and heat is the primary failure mode for most electrical components and Infrared cameras detect this heat.

This is why an Infrared electrical inspection is the best technology to detect and early electrical failures, because most things electrical tend to get hot before they fail.

In electrical systems increased resistance can be caused by component age, fatigue, oxidation, wear, loose connections or poor installation. Even new components can be defective.

The above image of a 20 amp circuit breaker has a loose wire screw. The loose connection increases it's resistance causing it to get hot. Our high resolution imager clearly shows the hottest area of the wire is by the screw head.

Infrared electrical inspections performed per NFPA and insurance company recommendations can detect and document incipient failures.Combined with timely, effective repairs, an electrical infrared survey will improve safety, reliability and reduce unscheduled down time.

This video demonstrates how an electrical Infrared survey is performed.

Looking for information on Electrical Infrared inspections?

Call 845-641-5482 to discuss your needs.

This infrared image of a breaker panel shows several connections generating high heat. The problems may be caused by loose wires, corroded connections or excessive current draw.

Having an infrared electrical inspection is a low cost, high ROI investment which can minimize injury, liability, catastrophic failures and downtime. Few investments have the substantial ROI of an infrared electrical survey.

Before an electrical component burns up, it heats up. Infrared thermography is used to perform Pd/Pm inspections on electrical equipment because excess heat is usually the first sign of trouble on electrical (or mechanical) apparatus. These failures from loose connections, imbalanced circuits, defective breakers, damaged switches, faulty fuses or fuse clips, overloaded circuits, workmanship or material defects and a range of other conditions which eventually lead to excess heat and component failure.


Defective Knuckles on disconnect switch overheating.		Defective fuse clip will cause circuit failure.

Infrared Thermography finds the problems early in the failure cycle. Early detection allows maintenance personnel to take corrective action before a component fails, minimizing damage to the component, reducing repair costs, eliminating production losses, preventing safety hazards and saving energy. Call us to discuss ROI on a cost effective electrical inspection at your facility.

Infrared scanning of electrical components and systems should be part of any predictive maintenance program and performed on a routine basis. The use of Infrared to detect the early indications of failure is prudent and cost effective. With infrared, preemptive action can be taken to minimize equipment breakdowns and safety hazards.

A spliced connection is overheating

Spliced connection overheats and loose breaker wire

Loose connection on B phase measures over 200F

Electrical Commissioning

The electrical distribution system is the foundation for every other system in your commercial building. Let's face it, if the electrical system isn't working, neither is your communication, fire and/life safety, security, or any other mechanical systems! It might seem like overkill to go through the commissioning process, but a study on losses associated with electrical failure showed that over 50% of the 766 losses were caused by inadequate maintenance and testing.

Fortunately, this company's insurance underwriter insisted on an Infrared electrical inspection prior to issuing the policy. Its a good thing they did. The image on the left shows a severely overheated connection, it will eventually fail.

Infrared scans of Electrical power systems

Determines if the components and system have been properly installed and are not damaged
Reduces downtime
Reduces risk of equipment failure
Increases safety
Improves insurability
Reduces liability exposure of the designers and installers
Improves system performance
Determines whether components and systems operate properly and meet the design intent
Determines if components and systems are in compliance with the project specifications and design
Reduces construction schedule delays
Saves money

If you have a new or remodeled commercial building, or are installing, upgrading or maintaining your commercial power system, feel free to give us a call and set up an electrical infrared scan of site. Make sure you are getting what you pay for, and that your building and systems are functioning according to specifications!

These supply cables are overheating at the lug connection. The vertical buss barr is also hot due to a loose connection where it screws into the lower section of buss bar.

Infrared thermography can quickly identify potential problems with breakers, inter connections, wire crimps, and loose or corroded connections. You can reduce unscheduled down time and catastrophic failures with an Infrared electrical survey.

An effective preventative maintenance strategy would include an infrared scan of all electrical, moving and rotating equipment!

Hot wires and buss bar due to loose connectios

In this image (left) of a UPS supply during a load test, a battery which is more resistive literally screams, "Replace me, I'm running hot!"

For battery banks, an IR scan is a great way to perform a quality check of the entire "System" not just any one cell.

We can see thermal abnormalities in each battery, connector, and terminal block. Every interconnect cable, distribution panel, and fuse can be checked!

For preventative maintenance on electrical systems, it's hard to beat the NON-CONTACT method of infrared!

Hot Transformer

Image above left: a typical example of how infrared can quickly see a loose or deteriorated connection.. Here we have a loose connection on a transformer tap. If left unrepaired, this part will fail, the transformer will fail, and anything that it is supplying voltage to will go down.

Image above right: an Oil Circuit Breaker at a utility substation; with infrared imaging it's easy to see that there is something wrong here!

In very little time, a well-trained thermographer can find these problems, allowing you to schedule the repair before unscheduled failure happens.

The cost of an IR scan is small in comparison to its benefits. Return on investment is very easy to justify! Contact Infrared Imaging Services to set up an infrared scan appointment at your facility.