Of all the diagnostic tools used in industrial electrical PMS, infrared thermography (also called thermal scanning or IR inspection) is arguably the most powerful. It allows ETCZ Corp’s engineers to detect developing problems — loose connections, overloaded circuits, failing components, and imbalanced loads — while the equipment is energized and operating under load, without any interruption to production.

Here is how electrical thermography works:

A trained ETCZ Corp thermographer uses a calibrated infrared camera to scan the surfaces of electrical panels, switchgear, transformers, and other components. Healthy electrical connections operate at or near ambient temperature. Developing problems — a loose connection, a failing contact, an overloaded circuit — generate heat that shows up as a bright spot (called a “hot spot”) on the thermal image.

The severity of hot spots is classified using temperature differentials:

• Delta T of 1°C to 10°C above reference: Minor anomaly, monitor at next scheduled inspection • Delta T of 10°C to 40°C above reference: Moderate anomaly, schedule corrective action within 30 days • Delta T above 40°C above reference: Serious anomaly, correct within 7 days • Delta T above 70°C above reference or glowing components: Critical — immediate corrective action required

ETCZ Corp’s thermography reports include full-color thermal images, visible-light comparison images, temperature readings, severity classification, and specific corrective action recommendations. These reports become part of your facility’s electrical maintenance records and provide documented evidence of due diligence for insurance and regulatory purposes.

Thermography should be performed annually at minimum, semi-annually for critical facilities, and quarterly for facilities operating multiple shifts with heavy electrical loads.