Fall is approaching, and in Michigan, that means winter will arrive soon with colder temperatures and harsher conditions. As temperatures drop, it becomes crucial to ensure your business continues operating efficiently throughout the winter season.
Although electrical panels and equipment lack moving parts, they still require regular maintenance to prevent unexpected issues. However, neglecting these systems can lead to failures that disrupt operations and result in costly repairs or downtime. Therefore, infrared thermometry is a valuable tool for detecting early electrical issues before they become serious problems.
If left unchecked, these issues may cause major outages, equipment damage, or even fires, impacting safety and productivity.
What is Infrared Thermometry?
Infrared radiation is thermal, or heat radiation, is invisible to the eye and is produced by any object warmer than its surroundings. Infrared Thermometry is the process of using a specially designed thermometer to read and convert the intensity of this radiation into a temperature.
What types of systems and equipment should be surveyed?
Any equipment or systems that produce heat or would produce heat if not operating within the proper parameters should be surveyed. Examples include:
- Electrical switchgear, breakers, bus connections and contacts
- Transformer connections
- Mechanical couplings on rotating equipment
- Process piping and heat exchangers
- Compressor heads
- Motor and generator connections, windings, feeders and excitors
- Bearings
- Friction in drive gears and belts
- Boilers, kilns and ovens
- Air handling systems for heat and cooling
Why should I survey my equipment with an Infrared Thermometer?
Surveying equipment with infrared thermometers helps protect your building, assets, and occupants from unexpected electrical issues and hazards. Additionally, many insurance providers require annual infrared inspections of major electrical systems to ensure safety and compliance.
This includes electric panels, transformers, compressors, refrigeration units, and large motors, depending on your facility’s specific operational needs. Therefore, infrared thermometry identifies overheating components early, before faults escalate into costly failures or dangerous conditions.
By detecting problems early, you can make minor repairs or adjustments to avoid expensive breakdowns and extended downtime. During inspections, loose wires or connections are often found and easily fixed, preventing future outages or fire risks. However, if ignored, these small issues can escalate into major electrical failures, causing significant damage and safety concerns. To ensure accurate results, conduct infrared surveys while equipment is running, ideally under full-load operating conditions.
How can Infrared Thermometry Surveys impact my bottom line?
Infrared thermography detects early equipment issues, enabling cost-effective repairs and extending component life while reducing future maintenance.
Electrical-related accidents cost $2 billion each year in property damage making them the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, thirty percent of all fires and explosions are attributed to electrical failure resulting. Faulty electrical components are the third leading cause of home fires and the second leading cause of fire-related deaths in the U.S.
When should I have an Infrared Thermometry Survey?
An Infrared Thermometry Survey should be conducted on all electrical systems discussed above on a regularly scheduled basis. The frequency will vary depending on the type of equipment and its location.
Special attention should be paid to processing equipment, high voltage electrical equipment, equipment with moving parts, equipment located in caustic environments, equipment located near combustible materials or equipment that produces vibration or is located in an area of vibration.
Ideally, Infrared Thermometry Surveys should be part of a regular Preventative Maintenance and Inspection Program. The best time for an infrared scan is in the middle of the winter when all systems are working their hardest, trying to keep the building warm.
Please contact Continuum Services at 833.378.4088 or cs-sales@continuumservices.com to perform an Infrared Thermometry Survey at your building today!
