Call
0113 436 0402

Understanding Thermal Imaging Reports: What Do the Colours Mean?

Posted in
Date
14/01/2025
thermal imaging reports

Thermal imaging is a beneficial method to keep your business’s electrical systems safe and efficient.

At Volta Compliance, we specialise in providing comprehensive thermal imaging surveys to identify potential issues. One of the most common questions we hear is – “What do the colours on thermal imaging reports signify?”

In this blog post, we’ll explain the basics of thermal imaging, including the different colours, and explore the benefits of understanding your report.

What is thermal imaging?

Also known as infrared thermography, thermal imaging is essentially a technique that captures heat emitted from objects and surfaces. It creates a colourful visual map of surface temperatures of areas in a room, such as floors, walls or ceilings. These images are made from thousands of temperature measures from infrared-sensing equipment.

This non-invasive method allows electrical contractors to detect temperature anomalies in your electrical systems. These anomalies can indicate issues such as overheating components, loose connections or failing equipment which – if left undetected – can lead to costly hazards and downtime.

How does it work?

Every object emits infrared radiation as a function of its temperature. Thermal imaging cameras detect this radiation and translate it into a visual spectrum of colour – typically as a rainbow or ironbow palette.

The resulting images, called thermographs, provide valuable insights into the thermal performance of your electrical systems.

Thermal imaging scans are highly effective at identifying faults. However, they do not negate the need for regular full inspections of your electrical systems. Think of them as an important extra level of maintenance.

The frequency of thermal imaging reports will depend on the type of your business. We recommend scheduling one every 12 months – especially if your business has a lot of heavy usage equipment.

Understanding the colour spectrum

Thermal imaging reports use a range of colours to represent different temperatures. A rainbow palette has more contrast than the ironbow palette, and also differentiates temperature differences more clearly. In contrast, the ironbow palette has a steady colour and brightness gradient, meaning it can be interpreted even when reproduced in greyscale.

Colours you’ll typically encounter in both palettes include:

  • Blue and dark purple: Just like on a weather forecast, these colours represent cooler temperatures. In electrical systems, this could indicate areas that are underutilised or operating at their optimal efficiency.
  • Green and yellow: These colours signify moderate temperatures. Components in this range are generally within normal operating conditions, but you should continue to monitor them for changes over time.
  • Orange and red: These warmer colours indicate higher temperatures, which can be a sign of overloaded circuits, poor connections or ageing equipment. These areas require immediate attention to prevent further complications.
  • White to bright red: The highest temperatures recorded in thermal imaging, and often a critical warning sign of imminent failure or severe overheating. You should address these areas urgently to avoid potentially dangerous hazards to your premises and staff.

What common issues does thermal imaging identify?

Thermal imaging plays a huge part in identifying a wide range of issues within electrical systems. Common problems that thermal imaging reports uncover include:

  • Overheating components: Excessive heat can indicate that your systems are overloaded or at risk of imminent failure.
  • Loose connections: Poor connections generate heat due to increased resistance, which can cause further damage if not addressed.
  • Faulty equipment: Old or malfunctioning equipment often displays abnormal thermal patterns, allowing you to identify issues before they become worse.
  • Imbalanced loads: Thermal imaging can reveal uneven load distribution across circuits, which leads to inefficiency and increased wear on equipment.

What does your thermal imaging report mean?

When you receive a thermal imaging report from Volta Compliance, it will include a detailed analysis of the findings, along with the corresponding thermographic images. Here’s how to interpret the key sections:

Thermographic images

These images are the heart of the report, visually representing the temperature distribution across your electrical systems. Pay close attention to areas highlighted in warmer colours, as these often illustrate potential areas of concern.

Temperature data

Each image is accompanied by temperature readings, often presented as a gradient bar or numerical data. This information helps you understand the severity of temperature anomalies.

Recommendations

Our thermal imaging reports include actionable recommendations based on the findings. These may involve immediate repairs, scheduled maintenance or further investigation to confirm that your systems are operational and safe to use.

What are the benefits of thermal imaging?

Understanding the colours in your thermal imaging report is important, but you should also be familiar with the broader benefits of this technology. Key areas that our clients benefit from thermal imaging include:

Preventative maintenance

By identifying issues early, thermal imaging means you can undertake preventative maintenance, reducing the risk that you’ll suffer from unexpected failures and costly downtime.

Enhanced safety

Detecting and addressing overheating components and loose connections can prevent electrical fires and other hazards, allowing you to gain the peace of mind that your premises and staff are safe and protected.

Improved efficiency

When you’re running a business, every penny counts, and you can ill afford to waste money on inefficient systems. Thermal imaging identifies areas where you can improve, reducing your operational costs.

Compliance and reporting

Regular thermal imaging inspections help your business comply with safety regulations and standards and provide you with documented evidence of proactive maintenance efforts.

Need a thermal imaging report? We’re here to help

Understanding the colours in your thermal imaging report is essential for identifying potential issues and optimising the efficiency of your electrical systems. By partnering with Volta Compliance, you’ll receive accurate, insightful and actionable information that helps you keep your business running smoothly and safely.

We provide ourselves on delivering top-quality thermal imaging services to businesses across Yorkshire. Our experienced team uses the highest quality equipment to conduct thorough inspections and provide detailed reports tailored to your specific needs.

Whether you’re looking to enhance the safety of your electrical system, improve efficiency or simply gain peace of mind, get in touch with our friendly team today. Call us on 0113 436 0402 or email [email protected].

Share this post
Richard Carr Volta Compliance
Richard Carr
Managing Director
Richard is the Director of Volta Compliance. He is a fully qualified approved electrician graded with the JIB. Richard has over 20 years electrical experience working on commercial and industrial installations.
chevron-down