Electrical infrared inspections built around real equipment.
IRIS specializes in locating abnormal thermal conditions in energized electrical systems and documenting those findings for maintenance action.
Electrical Distribution
Switchgear, switchboards, panelboards, disconnects, distribution equipment and accessible connections.
Motor Control
MCCs, starters, contactors, drives, disconnects and related control equipment under operating load.
Transformers & Substations
Visible connections, bushings, switches, breakers, line connections and other accessible equipment.
Process & Control Panels
Industrial control cabinets and other electrical equipment where abnormal heating can signal deterioration or loading issues.
Recurring PM Surveys
Repeatable inspections supported by an equipment list that can be updated as your facility changes.
Report Review & Program Support
IRIS can review an existing thermography program or report and help determine whether the documentation provides the information your maintenance team needs.
Thermography works best when the equipment is doing its job.
Electrical surveys are performed with equipment energized and under normal operating load whenever practical. That lets thermal patterns reveal conditions that may not be apparent during shutdown.
Typical findings
- High-resistance connections
- Overload and phase imbalance
- Abnormal component heating
- Inductive or transferred heating
- Defective or deteriorating components
Condition information for a stronger electrical maintenance program.
NFPA 70B is the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance and establishes requirements for an electrical maintenance program. Infrared thermography is an important condition-assessment tool for identifying electrical anomalies, documenting equipment condition and supporting maintenance decisions within that program.
An infrared survey provides practical condition data for the electrical maintenance program, but it does not replace the other inspection, testing and maintenance activities required for the equipment.
NFPA 70B changed from a recommended practice to a requirements-based standard beginning with its 2023 edition. Whether a particular edition is legally enforceable depends on adoption, contracts, insurers, authorities having jurisdiction and other requirements applicable to the facility.
NFPA 70B specifies infrared thermography at intervals not exceeding 12 months for Equipment Conditions 1 and 2, and 6 months for Equipment Condition 3.
Maintenance applications
- Electrical preventive and predictive maintenance
- Switchgear, MCC and panel thermal imaging
- Electrical hot-spot detection
- Equipment-condition trending
- Documented maintenance planning
NFPA standards and infrared electrical surveys.
What changed when NFPA 70B became a standard?
Beginning with the 2023 edition, NFPA 70B changed from a recommended practice to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. It now uses requirements-based language for establishing and carrying out an electrical maintenance program.
How does thermography support NFPA 70B?
NFPA 70B establishes requirements for an electrical maintenance program. An infrared electrical survey provides condition-assessment data used to identify abnormal thermal patterns, document equipment condition and support maintenance-interval decisions.
How often does NFPA 70B specify infrared thermography?
NFPA 70B specifies infrared thermography for all equipment at intervals not exceeding 12 months for Equipment Conditions 1 and 2, and 6 months for Equipment Condition 3. The maintenance program should also account for manufacturer instructions, equipment condition, operating environment and the consequences of failure.
Have a facility in mind?
Send us the location and approximate scope. We can help define an inspection that makes sense for the equipment you actually have.