How Does Electrical Thermal Imaging Work?

When you run a business, you are keeping a lot of plates spinning to ensure your infrastructure stays steady. Not least, the safety and effectiveness of your electrical systems, which need to be regularly checked.

An effective way to detect vulnerable hot spots in your electrical systems is through an accurate electrical thermal imaging service. This enables you to scan equipment and systems for any inconsistencies or serious faults. Read on to find out more

So, what exactly is thermal imaging?

Thermal imaging is a diagnostic method that allows us to identify and understand changes in electrical networks. It uses infrared technology to find existing faults or areas where faults could develop in the future.

What is thermal imaging for?

Most people are familiar with the concept of night vision. The ability of using heat to be able to see in the absence of visible light. Thermal imaging is an effective form of night vision technology.

It can be used in many industries to scan, inspect and discover problems and used preventatively to save time, stress and finances.  For example,

• Electrical maintenance
• Plumbing
• Building construction
• Transport navigation
• Healthcare
• Firefighting

How exactly does it work?

Temperature is the keyword when it comes to thermal imaging. The imaging is used to detect systems that are running at very high temperatures, as this can lead to overload and system failure. Electrical components like fuse and control panels or switchboards can all be easily scanned from the outside, making it an easy way to inspect how your electricals are working.

Thermal imaging shows you an object’s heat that radiates from itself. This is shown on the screen through a myriad of colours. Colder temperatures are represented by blue, purple or green and warmer temperatures show red, orange or yellow.

As all objects omit some kind of infrared radiation, the thermal camera picks up heat. So, if you get a thermal scan of your electrical systems, the results will show you if your network is overheating and what you can do to strengthen it and fix any faults.

However, remember that thermal imaging scans don’t negate the need for regular full inspections of your electrical systems. It is a helpful method in identifying faults but should be used in addition to electrical inspections by professional engineers.

What are the benefits?

When you decide to arrange a regular thermal imaging service, you are ensuring safety when it comes to electrical networks. Other benefits include:

• Minimising risks – If you know what is happening in your electrical system at all times, there is a better chance of lowering potential risks. You can discover any faults or system overloads to avoid a fire occurring.
• Keep repair costs low – Regular checks on your systems allow you to plan maintenance, so you can keep ahead of any repairs needed. It also gives you the benefit of scheduling necessary work outside of work hours, avoiding any disruption in the normal work day.
• Extend the life span of electrical components – Using an electrical thermal imaging scan on your systems will keep components working better for longer. This means that you will get the most out of your investment.

Preventative thermal imaging in Yorkshire

It is good practice to use electrical thermal imaging to review your systems on an ongoing basis. This allows you to have a regular method of ensuring your network is still compliant and safe. At Volta Compliance, we recommend that you schedule a thermal imaging scan at least once a year to give you peace of mind.

Whether you want a stand-alone service or an ongoing preventative maintenance package, Volta’s expert team can help with both options. Simply contact our team today to request a quote for our services.