Overview
Thermal Imaging (Thermography) is a method of producing visual images from invisible thermal radiation. Its role as a maintenance aid and for fault finding is becoming increasingly more important and accepted. It provides an instantaneous means of identifying problem areas and can locate faults that more conventional maintenance methods are unable to do.

In a commercial or industrial context, Thermal Imaging provides a quick and efficient method of finding electrical and mechanical components that are operating above their correct temperature. This is often an indication of an area of potential costly failure that Thermal Imaging can identify, giving it a powerful preventative maintenance capability. A distinct advantage of this non-contact technique is that surveys are carried out under normal working conditions, which therefore involves minimal interference to the day-to-day running of the business.

• Fast inexpensive assessment

• Your survey will be carried out quickly and efficiently

• Non contact testing

• You will not have to shut down any equipment during testing. We do not require physical contact with any components

• Fast turnaround of results - Your report will be issued within 36 hours

Thermal Imaging of Electrical Installations
The reason that Thermal Imaging is so applicable to the inspection and monitoring of electrical installations is that new electrical components begin to deteriorate as soon as they are installed. Whatever the loading of a circuit, vibration, fatigue and age cause the loosening of electrical connections, while environmental conditions can hasten their corroding. Briefly stated all electrical connections will, over time, follow a path towards failure. If not found and repaired, then these failing connections will lead to faults. Fortunately a loose or corroded connection increases resistance at the connection and this increased resistance causes an increase in heat. Electrical Thermal Imaging will detect this developing fault before it fails. Detecting and correcting failing connections before a fault occurs averts fires as well as impending shutdowns that can be critical to any business. Such predictive actions are important because when a critical system does fail, it inevitably increases costs. In addition, Thermal Imaging can detect overloads and unbalanced loads, harmonics and bad wiring which are not readily identifiable with standard electrical testing.

Some types of electrical equipment that are suitable for surveying include:

Three-phase electrical systems, bus bars, distribution panels, switches, fuses, wiring, connections and circuit breakers. Thermal surveys can be carried out in a fraction of the time of normal electrical testing and a small to medium premises can often be surveyed in a single day.

An Electrical Thermal Imaging Survey is not a replacement for normal electrical testing but a valued addition.

Thermal Imaging of Industrial Premises
In industrial premises, thermal imaging can be effectively used to check electric motors, pumps, bearings, pulleys, HVAC systems, process control equipment, pipes, valves, steam traps and vessels.
Hot spots identified may be an indicator of imminent failure.

Implementing a predictive maintenance program using thermal imaging can significantly reduce both maintenance and production costs.

A small of example thermal imaging photos can be found here.

Please feel free to contact is for further advice without obligation.