Non-contact thermal imaging to detect electrical faults, hotspots, and potential failures before they cause damage.
Electrical Thermal Imaging
Overview
Infrared Hotspot Detection & Prevention
Electrical thermal imaging uses infrared cameras to detect abnormal heat patterns in electrical equipment — identifying loose connections, overloaded circuits, failing components, and other faults tha...
- Electrical faults such as loose connections and overloaded circuits generate heat long before they cause equipment failure or fire — thermal imaging detects these developing faults early.
- Thermal imaging is the only practical way to inspect live switchboards and electrical connections without de-energising equipment or removing covers.
- Early detection allows planned maintenance during scheduled downtime, avoiding costly emergency repairs and production interruptions.
- Thermal imaging reports provide clear visual evidence of faults for maintenance planning, insurance documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Thermal Scan Result
Loose connection � breaker #4
Switchboard
PASSDistribution
PASSMotor Control
PASSWhy It Matters
Why Electrical Thermal Imaging matters
Electrical faults such as loose connections and overloaded circuits generate heat long before they cause equipment failure or fire — thermal imaging detects these developing faults early.
Thermal imaging is the only practical way to inspect live switchboards and electrical connections without de-energising equipment or removing covers.
Early detection allows planned maintenance during scheduled downtime, avoiding costly emergency repairs and production interruptions.
Thermal imaging reports provide clear visual evidence of faults for maintenance planning, insurance documentation, and regulatory compliance.
Common Issues
Common Electrical Thermal Imaging faults
Loose connections
Arcing and overheating at connection points, potential fire hazard.
Connections tightened and re-torqued by a qualified electrician.
Overloaded circuits
Circuit breakers and cables operating above rated capacity, overheating risk.
Load assessment and redistribution recommended.
Failing breakers
Breakers generating excess heat due to internal degradation, potential failure under fault conditions.
Breakers replaced during next scheduled maintenance window.
Testing Frequency
How often should you test?
Inspection & Testing Intervals
Recommended inspection and testing frequencies based on AS/NZS 3760 for different workplace environments and equipment types.
Caution
This information should be read together with the AS/NZS 3760 standard as a whole, particularly Clause 2.1. Inspection intervals vary depending on equipment type and operating environment.
| Type of environment and/or equipment (a) | Equipment including Class I equipment, Class II equipment, cord sets, cord extension sets and EPOD’s (b) | Interval between inspection and tests | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Residual Current Devices (RCD’s) | |||||
| Push Button test by user | Operating time and push-button test | ||||
| Portable (c) | Fixed (d) | Portable (e) | Fixed (f) | ||
1. Factories, workshops, places of work or repair manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
2. Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment | 12 months | 3 months | 6 months | 12 months | 12 months |
3. Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment | 5 years | 3 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
4. Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels, accommodation houses, and the like | 2 years | 6 months | 6 months | 2 years | 2 years |
5. Equipment used for commercial cleaning | 6 months | Daily, or before every use, whichever is the longer | NA | 6 months | NA |
6. Hire Equipment Inspection | Prior to hire | Including push-button test by hirer prior to hire | NA | NA | NA |
Test and Tag | 3 months | NA | NA | 3 months | 12 months |
7. Repaired, serviced and second-hand equipment | After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762 | ||||
1Factories, workshops, places of work or repair manufacturing, assembly, maintenance or fabrication
2Environment where the equipment or supply flexible cord is subject to flexing in normal use OR is open to abuse OR is in a hostile environment
3Environment where the equipment or supply cord is NOT subject to flexing in normal use and is NOT open to abuse and is NOT in a hostile environment
4Residential type areas of hotels, residential institutions, motels, boarding houses, halls, hostels, accommodation houses, and the like
5Equipment used for commercial cleaning
6Hire Equipment
Inspection
Test and Tag
7Repaired, serviced and second-hand equipment
After repair or service which could affect electrical safety, or on reintroduction to service, refer to AS/NZS 5762
Important Note
Inspection frequencies depend on equipment type, condition, and working environment. Hostile environments require more frequent inspection and testing. Always refer to AS/NZS 3760 or contact our team if you are unsure which interval applies to your workplace.
Our Process
How Electrical Thermal Imaging works
Our streamlined process ensures every electrical thermal imaging engagement is efficient, thorough, and fully documented.
Equipment Identification
Our technician identifies all switchboards, distribution boards, and electrical infrastructure to be scanned.
Thermal Scanning
Infrared camera scans all connections, breakers, fuses, and components while equipment is energised under normal load.
Temperature Measurement
Accurate temperature readings recorded for each identified hotspot with ambient temperature reference.
Analysis & Classification
Findings analysed and classified by severity with prioritised recommendations for remedial action.
Reporting
Full thermal imaging report with images, temperatures, locations, and recommendations delivered within 24 hours.
What's Tested
Electrical Thermal Imaging checklist
Switchboard Scanning
Thermal imaging of all switchboards, distribution boards, and motor control centres.
Temperature Recording
Accurate temperature readings for each identified hotspot with comparison to ambient and reference temperatures.
Thermal Image Documentation
High-resolution thermal images with temperature annotations for every finding.
Fault Classification
Hotspots classified by severity — critical, major, minor — with prioritised recommendations.
Compliance Reporting
Full thermal imaging report with images, temperatures, locations, and recommendations delivered within 24 hours.
What You Receive
What you receive
Thermal Imaging Report
Detailed report with thermal images, temperature readings, fault classifications, and prioritised recommendations.
Fault Documentation
Clear visual evidence of every identified fault with thermal images and temperature annotations.
Maintenance Recommendations
Prioritised list of recommended remedial actions with urgency ratings for maintenance planning.
Benefits
Why choose our electrical thermal imaging service
Preventive Detection
Identify developing electrical faults before they cause equipment failure, fires, or unplanned downtime.
Non-Contact Testing
Thermal imaging is performed without physical contact or de-energising equipment — no disruption to operations.
Visual Evidence
Thermal images provide clear visual evidence of faults for maintenance planning and insurance documentation.
Cost Savings
Early detection of faults allows planned maintenance instead of costly emergency repairs and production downtime.
Industries We Serve
Trusted across New Zealand's key industries
FAQ
Electrical Thermal Imaging FAQ
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