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Most electrical failures in commercial and industrial buildings give a warning first: heat. A loose lug, an overloaded conductor, a failing breaker or an unbalanced phase all run hotter than they should, often for months before they fail. An infrared thermal inspection finds that heat without shutting anything down.
How Infrared Inspection Works
A trained thermographer uses an infrared camera to scan electrical equipment while it’s energized and under normal load. The camera shows temperature differences: a connection running much hotter than the identical one beside it stands out clearly. Each finding is documented with a thermal image, a regular photo, the temperature rise and a priority for repair.
Because the scan happens with equipment running, there’s no shutdown, and that’s exactly when problems show up.
What It Finds
- Loose or corroded connections at lugs, terminals and bus
- Overloaded or undersized conductors
- Failing breakers, fuses and fuse clips
- Phase imbalance on three-phase systems
- Overheating transformers and motor connections
- Problems in disconnects, motor control centers and switchgear
What It Covers
A typical scan includes the service and main switchgear, distribution panels, transformers, motor control centers, disconnects for major equipment and critical branch panels. For safety, covers are removed only by qualified personnel following an energized-work procedure, and many facilities install IR inspection windows on large gear so it can be scanned without opening it.
Why It Matters to Maintenance and Insurance
The 2023 edition of NFPA 70B, now a standard rather than a recommended practice, treats thermography as part of an electrical maintenance program. Many insurers also ask for regular infrared inspections and may offer better terms for facilities that have them. Most important, a thermal finding fixed during a planned shutdown is far cheaper than an unplanned failure. See NFPA 70B preventive maintenance.
After the Scan
You get a report ranked by severity. Urgent findings get attention right away; others are scheduled during planned downtime. After repairs, a follow-up scan confirms the fix. Repeating scans on a regular schedule builds a record of how each piece of equipment is trending.
Want to find problems before they shut you down? Book a visit on our booking page to schedule an infrared inspection.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should electrical equipment be scanned?
Many facilities scan at least once a year, and more often for critical equipment or harsh environments. Your maintenance program and insurer may set the interval.
Does an infrared inspection require a shutdown?
No. It’s done with equipment energized and under normal load, which is when heat-related problems are visible.
Is thermal imaging required by code?
Building codes don’t require it, but NFPA 70B treats it as part of a maintenance program, and many insurers request it.
What does a hot spot mean?
Usually a high-resistance connection, an overload or a failing component. The report ranks each by severity so you can fix the worst first.
Why Facilities Call Progress and Heritage
We perform infrared inspections, document findings clearly and make the repairs. Our licensed, insured, background-checked electricians serve facilities across Lynchburg, Roanoke, Danville, Martinsville and the surrounding counties. See our service, maintenance and compliance.
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