Thermography Testing- Mechanical and electrical technologies might malfunction unexpectedly. However, a significant period of increased heat in the various components of the system typically precedes equipment breakdown. The situation can be addressed before the electrical equipment breaks if the growing heat is discovered early enough. Infrared thermography is a useful maintenance technique for detecting hot or cold spots. Using technology to investigate electrical faults has several advantages. (thermography testing)

WHERE DOES THE TERM “THERMOGRAPHY” COME FROM?

Thermography is a non-destructive test method for detecting potential electrical safety issues and fire incidents in electrical equipment

The method inspects electrical equipment by taking heat distribution photographs and is based on the notion that most components in a system display an increase in temperature when they fail. It assists in detecting hot spots, faulty connections, unbalanced loads, degraded insulation, and other possible issues in electrified electrical components. It lets you see what’s wrong with an electrical system right away. Overloaded circuits or poor wiring can cause fires if electrical faults are not detected quickly enough. (thermography testing)

Why is Electrical Panel Thermography Testing Important?

Electrical system failures, such as failure of terminals, electrical insulation, and related components, are estimated to be responsible for 10% of fires.

During the infrared testing procedure, faults with electrical infrastructure under load will emerge as abnormal temperatures visible in the live image on the thermal imaging camera. Employees may also be exposed to live electrical circuits resulting from system failures, putting them in danger of serious damage or demise from electrocution. Detecting and correcting high-resistance connections will decrease the likelihood of a breakdown of the electrical wires and associated components. (thermography testing)

Thermography is a non-destructive testing method used to detect and measure small temperature differences to help find deterioration in assets and plant sites. Thermography can support the maintenance of industrial plants and equipment with its fast and cost-effective application

Thermographic testing, also known as infrared inspection, is a contact-free predictive maintenance method used to detect connections defects, system overloads, deteriorated insulation, and other potential problems in electrical components. (thermography testing)

Other advantages of locating and correcting these flaws include cost savings through energy conservation and lower shutdown and maintenance costs. Current flow is increased when circuit resistance is high. When current flow is increased, power consumption increases as well. Furthermore, high current draw can cause critical electrical circuit components such as circuit breakers, fuses, and transformers to fail prematurely. Higher maintenance & repair costs, as well as business interruptions, are the outcome of these failures. (thermography testing)

How are Electrical Panel Thermography Tests Performed?

A thermal imager or infrared camera is the testing gadget used by inspectors. These gadgets provide a thermal image by measuring a heated item’s natural infrared radiation emissions. Thermal imagers today are small and portable, with simple settings. In addition, because no direct contact with the system is required, testing can be carried out while the system is fully operational, resulting in no production loss or downtime.

The following are some of the factors that can be discovered during thermal testing:

  • Connections of high resistance
  • Areas of high demand
  • The cables are overloaded. 
  • Fuse or circuit breaker overload 
  • A motor or conveyor bearing failure is on the verge of failing 
  • Overheated motor windings
  • Distribution equipment that has overheated 
  • Inequity in phase load
  • High-level illumination with hot areas (easily scanned from the floor)
  • Overcrowding in trunking causes heat build-up.
  • The disintegration of thermal insulation (hot or cold)
  • a loss of heat
  • Infiltration of damp air

STOPLEAKLOSS has extensive experience performing thermography testing of electrical panels for commercial, industrial, and other facilities in India. STOPLEAKLOSS has the knowledge and expertise to accurately detect and record a wide range of electoral faults that can occur in electrical systems.