Support your PM Program with Infrared Thermography

With the advent of Infrared Thermography, a host of significant uses have been developed using this technology. The ability to detect temperature differences in different materials has found great use in medicine and disease detection, surveillance and security, and, of course, facility electrical inspections.


Today’s facility manager has the ability to inspect and measure the envelope, the mechanics and the power distribution through his building.

Let’s deal with a few basic facts about using Infrared Thermography for the electrical, either in a facility, or along a power systems distribution system.

The goal of every infrared electrical test is to scan designated electrical equipment in order to pinpoint defective components and elevated temperatures within the power distribution system. If unfound or untreated these "hot spots" can cause- potential fire, explosion, or service interruption threats.

Hot spots are typically caused by unbalanced or overloaded electrical circuits, loose connections, or broken equipment. These conditions are often overlooked during routine evaluations of facilities and can result in the release of heat that will be visible only through an infrared camera. When performing these studies on power grids, helicopters and remote cameras are used, testing the power transmission equipment and quality along miles of lines.

A typical facility electrical infrared survey can result in a net a savings from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on the number and category of anomalies found. In addition to the direct financial savings, valuable time is saved by incorporating an annual infrared electrical survey into your PM program. Providing accurate information regarding the integrity of your electrical system’s components cuts down on maintenance time, prevents costly replacements and can eliminate unforeseen outages and downtime.

Many firms around the country provide these studies. An infrared (thermal) electrical inspection survey can help:

• Maintain the integrity of your facility’s electrical system
• Reduces electrical fire hazards
• Provide uninterrupted power to tenants/clients/employees
• Detect faulty connections/overloaded circuits
• Provide a snap shot in time of the condition of mechanical systems, motors, bearings, etc.
• Preventative or predictive maintenance programs save money by reducing: pre-mature equipment failure
o emergency overtime
o overnight shipment of parts
o insurance premiums (many insurance companies give discounts for performing regular infrared inspections)
o loss of revenue due to downtime

Make sure the provider you use, or your own inspections with reputable infrared thermography equipment, provides you with:

Themograms (the thermal images of your systems)
Actual digital photographs
Operating data documentation
Measurement determinations
Inventory of inspected equipment and uninspected equipment
And, of course, recommended corrective actions

Infrared Thermography is an excellent investment in facility maintenance and worker safety. Smart management!