Electrical Infrared Inspection Requirements

The use of infrared scanning to detect early indications of system failure is a preemptive measure that can minimize equipment breakdown and downtime.

Electrical infrared inspection requirements.

1 1 1 this recommended practice applies to preventive maintenance for electrical electronic and communication systems and equipment and is not intended to duplicate or supersede instructions that manufacturers normally provide. Figure 1 is an old style liquid nitrogen cooled two piece infrared camera system that weighed in excess of 60 pounds. More frequent infrared inspections for example quarterly or semiannually should be performed where warranted by loss experience installation of new electrical equipment or changes in environmental operational or load conditions. Infrared thermography is used to perform pd pm inspections on electrical equipment because excess heat is usually the first sign of trouble on electrical or mechanical apparatus.

Infrared scanning of electrical components and systems should be part of any preventative maintenance program and performed on a routine basis. The infrared electrical systems survey is typically conducted on an annual basis as part of a regular preventive maintenance program. Standard for infrared inspection of electrical systems rotating equipment foreword this standard outlines the procedures and documentation requirements for conducting infrared inspections of electrical systems and rotating equipment. Infrared thermal imaging inspections detect hot spots and other defects.

Routine infrared inspections of energized electrical systems should be performed annually prior to shut down. Conducting infrared electrical panel inspections. Presently nfpa 70e serves as a written safety standard for the inspection of energized electrical distribution systems. Since thermography is solely inspection and not maintenance part iii is not applicable for infrared inspections.

The infrared electrical testing allows for inspection of a large amount of electrical equipment in a short time as opposed to the alternative method of physically inspecting and tightening electrical components. Systems and equipment covered are typical of those installed in industrial plants institutional and commercial buildings and large multifamily. While some of the requirements are redundant to osha s 1910 nfpa 70e is more comprehensive. If you are performing infrared electrical inspections and you are not following these osha adopted standards you need to familiarize yourself with them and comply.