Understanding The Importance Of Electrical Thermal Imaging

Hines Electrical
1 day ago
5 min read

It’s normal for electrical systems and their components to deteriorate over time. Issues like loose connections and overloaded circuits aren’t often visible to the naked eye. However, they can quickly become costly and dangerous problems when left undetected. So, how do you detect electrical faults before they become safety hazards?

For commercial businesses, regular thermal imaging inspections will help keep your electrical systems performing well so they don’t become a health and safety risk. This article explains the benefits of thermal imaging, how it works, and the impact it can have on your insurance premiums.

What Is Electrical Thermal Imaging?

When parts of an electrical system operate at higher temperatures than expected, it’s often an early warning sign that something is wrong. That’s because faults in electrical equipment generate excess heat.

With a thermal imaging camera, trained professionals capture infrared data to analyse heat distribution across different components. This is called electrical thermal imaging or electrical thermography. The report produced from the thermal scan provides a clear snapshot of an electrical system’s condition – how well its circuits, cables, fuses and switchboards are performing.

Why is thermal imaging important?

Thermal imaging is an essential part of preventative electrical maintenance. It’s a quick way to check that your electrical systems are safe, and deal with any overloaded circuits, failing connections or defective components before they create a hazard.

By scheduling periodic inspections, businesses can reduce the risk of electrical fires, unplanned outages and expensive emergency repairs. For New Zealand businesses that rely on consistent power, safe and efficient systems are a non-negotiable.

What Issues Can Electrical Thermography Identify?

Thermal imaging can detect a range of issues that might otherwise go unnoticed during routine checks:

Overloads

When circuits get overloaded, excess heat builds up. Thermal imaging can quickly identify these ‘hot zones’, so adjustments can be made before components fail or breakers trip.

Faulty components

Defective switches, fuses or circuit breakers often generate abnormal heat signatures, even though they may continue working normally. Thermographic inspections make it easy to spot and replace them before they compromise your system.

Hot spots

Hot spots are localised areas of excessive heat that signal a developing fault. Left unresolved, these often cause insulation breakdown, component damage and fire hazards.

Poor wiring

Damaged or poorly installed wiring can cause resistance, which leads to heat build-up and energy loss. Thermal imaging helps pinpoint wiring issues that may not be obvious during a visual inspection.

Loose connections

Loose electrical connections are common sources of overheating, particularly in commercial switchboards. Thermal imaging can identify these faults early, reducing the risk of arcing (a current that jumps across a gap, causing sparks, noise and intense heat).

Common Reasons To Book A Thermal Imaging Inspection

Many commercial and industrial businesses in New Zealand schedule regular thermal imaging as part of their maintenance programme – and for good reason.

Preventative maintenance

Routine electrical thermal imaging will help you detect early-stage problems. This means you can plan repairs and avoid costly emergency callouts. This preventative approach will also help extend the lifespan of your switchboard and electrical systems.

Hot fuses or switchgear

High temperatures in switchgear or fuse assemblies often indicate underlying issues like poor contact pressure or ageing components. A thermal scan identifies these issues quickly.

Insurance requirements

Some New Zealand insurance providers now request thermographic inspection reports as part of their risk management criteria, especially for commercial and industrial properties. Booking regular scans demonstrates that you’re prioritising electrical safety, which can potentially help when it comes to compliance and premiums.

Benefits Of An Electrical Thermal Scan

Thermal imaging provides valuable insights into the condition of your electrical infrastructure – information that can help you save money and keep your people safe.

Better safety in your business

Early warnings of electrical trouble mean you’re less likely to have a significant fire or equipment damage. It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your workplace safe and compliant.

Potentially better insurance premiums

Some insurers view thermal imaging as a smart way to reduce risk. If you record regular scans, you can demonstrate that you’re taking safety seriously, and your insurer may be more willing to offer you better premiums.

Reduces the risk of significant electrical problems

Thermal scans can catch little issues before they escalate. Because of this, you’ll be less likely to have your whole system crash, leaving you with unexpected downtime.

Saves you money in the long run

Preventing little problems from becoming big challenges is much cheaper than fixing something in an emergency. Over time, all the saved maintenance costs and reduced downtime add up.

Improves the efficiency of your electrical systems and switchboards

When all your electrical gear runs as it should, it operates more efficiently. Thermal imaging helps keep everything ticking over smoothly, so you waste less energy and get more out of your system.

How Is Thermal Imaging Carried Out?

Our qualified technicians conduct the inspection using a professional infrared thermal camera. While your system operates under normal electrical load, they scan key components, including switchboards, distribution panels, fuses and cabling. They’re specifically looking for temperature irregularities – if they identify any, they’ll analyse them using thermographic software to confirm the cause and level of risk.

After the scan, you’ll receive a comprehensive thermal imaging report outlining the issues with high-resolution thermal images, temperature data and repair recommendations.

Is thermal imaging an insurance requirement for commercial businesses?

In many cases, yes. Some insurers require electrical thermal imaging reports as maintenance and safety compliance evidence. For New Zealand commercial facilities and industrial operations, regular thermographic inspections are often mandatory for insurance coverage or policy renewal.

Electrical Thermal Imaging FAQs

How much does electrical thermal imaging cost?

The cost of an electrical thermal imaging inspection varies depending on the scale and complexity of the electrical system. The best thing to do is contact the Hines team – we’ll send someone to look at your site and give you a proper quote for the job.

Does thermal imaging help commercial businesses’ insurance premiums?

Some insurers will take the view that thermal imaging is a great way to cut down on electrical risks and show that you’re serious about prevention. This could positively affect your premiums, but it isn’t guaranteed.

How often should you perform a thermal imaging test on switchboards?

The general rule for most commercial and industrial premises is to do an annual thermal imaging check. But, if you’re in a high-risk industry like a manufacturing plant, food processing facility or data centre, your business may require more frequent inspections.