Member Guide – Electrical Thermographic Scanning

Understanding Electrical Risks

Electrical fires can be a significant cause of financial losses to businesses, affecting the longevity of many operations and their ability to conduct business activities. Infrared thermographic scanning and inspections of their electrical infrastructure on a regular basis can help prevent these exposures, and are essential to a sound preventative maintenance program.

Infrared cameras allow thermographers to detect imbalances in surveyed electrical circuits and components prior to a breakdown. Before electrical components break down, a rise in temperature is usually detected, often due to improper or faulty circuit wire insulation, loose wire connections, overloaded circuits, wire fatigue, dust and contamination.

Thermographic scanning aims to reduce instances of preventable electrical fires and accidents. Other main aims include:

• early detection of circuit damage or deficits in the system
• identifying poor construction and planning
• documentation of the business’ current condition and potential hazards
• recommendations for repairs

How to control the Risk

Infrared cameras detect and measure heat. All objects generate an infrared wave reading based off the amount of heat or energy the objects radiate.

Skilled technicians can identify and determine potential electrical issues by measuring the differences in temperature between surfaces and objects, and provide meaningful recommendations to prevent possible future exposures. Common areas that are scanned include:

• transformer stations, cooling fins and bushing connections
• medium and high-voltage switchgear, breakers, contacts, and transmission lines
• main distributions
• pipe and wiring insulation
• steam traps
• generators, motors, line shafts, feeders, excitors, and windings
• control cabinets, switchboards, and fuse boxes
• process equipment
• refractory systems and materials used to withstand high temperatures, including incinerators, furnaces, kilns and reactors
• drive gears and belts
• tank level indicators

However, this list is not exhaustive. Thermography of electromechanical systems tend to be a part of a good preventative risk management program. Thermographic scans allow businesses to benefit from long-term cost savings, can help minimise shut-down time, and assist in the planning of maintenance schedules.

Benefits of Thermography

Thermographic scanning has quickly developed into a preferred method for electromechanical fault detection. Its benefits over other methods include:

• using thermal imaging equipment that detects radiant heat energy not visible to the naked eye
• performed through non-contact methods, improving its utility as a widely applicable and safe inspection tool
• provides efficient and useful risk decision-making information in a timely manner using modern infrared scanning technology
• ordinarily non-invasive or disruptive to the equipment that is being scanned
• allows for well-targeted interventions reducing repair, heating, and cooling costs
• cost and energy effective

Additionally, studies have provided substantial evidence for the cost-effectiveness of infrared thermography as a risk prevention tool. Studies indicate that when comparing the cost of testing and repairs against the potential cost of damages in the event of a breakdown, savings can be large. Investment in thermographic scanning and repairs can potentially save businesses up to four times the expected losses that occur from equipment related damages. With scanning, this number increasing up to twenty-fold when larger scale factors including spoilage, production losses, and additional expenses were considered.

For more information on how thermographic scanning can be beneficial to your business, please do not hesitate to contact your broker or Xenia directly.

Important note:

This guide contains information of a general nature only. This guide has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situations or needs. You should consider the appropriateness of the information, taking these matters into account, before you act on any information.  Information in this guide is subject to change.