| Thermal imaging of electrical building services is | | | | damage to company reputation. |
| possibly the most established application of | | | | Points to consider when choosing a thermal imaging |
| thermography in the commercial sector. This article | | | | company |
| discusses the benefits of carrying out periodic thermal | | | | There are many companies operating in the UK. Some |
| imaging surveys together with the points that should be | | | | of which are better than others. If you are to maximise |
| considered when using a contractor to carry out the | | | | on the benefits discussed above, it is important to give |
| inspection. | | | | consideration the points listed below when choosing a |
| What is an Electrical Thermal Imaging Survey? | | | | suitable thermal imaging company. |
| A thermal imaging survey involves taking thermal | | | | Suitably Qualified and Experienced |
| images of electrical equipment including distribution fuse | | | | Check the company only employs thermographers |
| boards, contactors, switch boards, transformers, | | | | who are electrically qualified and are trained and |
| motors, battery banks, UPS's, control panels etc. With | | | | certified under a suitable thermography training |
| these thermal images it is possible to identify such | | | | scheme e.g. The British Institute of Non-destructive |
| faults as loose connections and over loaded circuits | | | | Testing (BINDT) operate the PCN training and |
| (the most common cause of electrical fires), | | | | certification scheme. Any report produced, must be |
| transformer cooling faults, motor winding faults and | | | | authorised by a thermographer of at least PCN Level |
| induced currents. All this is being carried out whilst the | | | | 2 Status. |
| equipment is in operation, causing no disruption to | | | | Review Quality Example Reports |
| business operations. | | | | Most companies will have example reports on their |
| Following the survey, a report will be produced which | | | | websites. Have a look at these reports to get an idea |
| will identify equipment found to be displaying faults. For | | | | of the level of service you are likely to receive. |
| each fault, a diagnosis will be given together with | | | | Reports should be clearly laid out and written in plain |
| recommendations on how to repair. Also the report will | | | | English. Technical jargon and unnecessary analysis |
| provide an evaluation of fault severity which will enable | | | | measurements only serve to confuse the reader. |
| the client to plan any remedial work around their | | | | Check out what Thermal Imaging Camera Equipment |
| business activities, thereby reducing operational down | | | | they use |
| time. | | | | The cost of thermal imaging cameras have come |
| The Benefits | | | | down markedly over the last few years. This has |
| Unbeatable for electrical Fault finding | | | | brought about an increase in companies trying to |
| There is no other technology that is able to identify | | | | provide thermal imaging surveys. The cost of |
| such electrical faults as safely and as quickly as a | | | | commercial thermal imaging cameras can range from |
| survey. | | | | £1500 for cameras intended for basic applications, up |
| Totally Non-intrusive | | | | to £40,000 for cameras that are intended to be used |
| A thermal imaging survey is non-intrusive, meaning no | | | | by thermography professionals. |
| disruption to normal business operations. | | | | However, ask yourself this question, is the quality, |
| Reduction in the cost of breakdowns. | | | | accuracy and level of service likely to be affected by |
| As faults are found before they cause equipment to | | | | the quality of the equipment that is used? Most |
| fail, the associated cost of repairs is minimal compared | | | | companies that are serious about thermography will |
| to the cost of equipment failure. Depending on the type | | | | use nothing less than the high end cameras. An |
| of equipment and its location, the cost of electrical | | | | example of a suitable camera for electrical surveys |
| failure can run into many thousands of pounds in | | | | would be the Flir ThermaCAM P Series camera. It |
| repairs, lost production, injury claims, etc. | | | | has the required temperature range, accuracy, |
| Insurance Premium Reductions. | | | | sensitivity and resolution needed for all electrical |
| Increasingly, insurance companies are reducing their | | | | applications. |
| premiums to companies who undertake annual | | | | Insurance, Method Statements and Risk Assessments |
| surveys. Some insurance companies are now insisting | | | | Thermal imaging carried out correctly is extremely |
| on a thermal imaging survey prior to providing cover. | | | | safe. However, any activity involving electricity in an |
| Reduction in Risk Management Contingency Budgets. | | | | industrial environment will present risk. It is therefore |
| Thermal surveys reduce the risk of equipment failure | | | | important to ensure the company you use is suitably |
| and the associated consequences, e.g. damage to | | | | insured, can provide you with both method statements |
| other plant, equipment and property, injury to | | | | and risk assessments for the tasks to be carried out. |
| employees and public, operational downtime and | | | | |