Electrical Infrared Inspection Requirements

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.

Electrical infrared inspection requirements.

Since thermography is solely inspection and not maintenance part iii is not applicable for infrared inspections. Nfpa 70b declares a well administered electrical preventative maintenance safety program will reduce accidents save lives and minimize costly break downs and unplanned shutdowns of production equipment 70b further recommends routine infrared safety inspections of energized electrical systems. Routine infrared inspections of energized electrical systems should be performed annually prior to shut down. Infrared scanning of electrical components and systems should be part of any preventative maintenance program and performed on a routine basis.

Before an electrical component burns up it heats up. The infrared electrical systems survey is typically conducted on an annual basis as part of a regular preventive maintenance program. Systems and equipment covered are typical of those installed in industrial plants institutional and commercial buildings and large multifamily. The use of infrared scanning to detect early indications of system failure is a preemptive measure that can minimize equipment breakdown and downtime.

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. This standard covers an application which is both art and science. Presently nfpa 70e serves as a written safety standard for the inspection of energized electrical distribution systems. 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.

Conducting infrared electrical panel inspections. 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. Infrared thermal imaging inspections detect hot spots and other defects. 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.