INFRARED SCANNING FOR HOTSPOT OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BASIC INFORMATION

What is Infrared Scanning? How is it done?

Infrared scanning is a method that is utilized to locate high-resistance connections ("hot spots") by using a camera that turns infrared radiation into a visible image.

This test is performed with the equipment in service carrying normal load current, which is a major advantage because it does not interrupt normal production. Exposure to energized equipment, of course, carries the possibility of exposure to electrical hazards.

The operator shall recognize and deal with such potential hazards accordingly.

The most common use of infrared scanning is to locate loose or corroded connections in switchboards, panel boards, bus ways, and motor starters.

It is a comparative type test in which the person who performs the scan is looking for an area that appears brighter (hotter) than a similar area, such as a lug connection on phase "A" as it compares to similar connections on phases "B" and "C"

The person should be aware of how unbalanced loading may affect heating, thereby giving an indication similar to looseness.

One limitation of infrared scanning is that the equipment has to be carrying enough load for the hot spots to be visible.

At lower loads, there may not be enough heat generated to locate a problem, even when the connections are significantly looser than they should be.