Thermal imaging may help prevent electrical hazards

An established Boise electrical contracting firm sees a growth market in helping clients reduce their need for major electrical work.

Since late last year, the service group of Quality Electric Inc. has been conducting thermal imaging studies.

Using a digital thermal-infrared camera, a person known as a thermographer looks inside walls, control systems, and the inner workings of machinery to detect minor electrical problems before they become major.

Objects at a temperature above absolute zero (minus-459.6 degrees Fahrenheit) emit some form of radiant thermal energy that the infared camera can see as a pattern.

Thermography “detects hot spots that might not be detected by visual inspections,” according to information from Quality Electric. Thermographers develop and read a “heat picture” that reveals “components that are overloaded or may become faulty.”

In addition to electrical and mechanical inspections, the infrared studies can be used for roof inspections, energy conservation assessments, and quality control and assurance monitoring.

“Processing plants and distribution centers are aware of the advantages of having this done,” said Diane Steiger, marketing and sales director for Quality Electric, based on Irving Street in central Boise.

For these types of businesses, the cost of downtime in the event of system failure can be “huge,” she said, so they see value in thermal imaging.

But other businesses may benefit as well, said Steiger. For example, “anyone with tenants who move in and out” is a potential candidate.

“Often the building owner doesn’t know what’s being plugged in” by tenants, or what problems could result, she said. But “unhappy tenants could cost them.”

Bad connections, overheating breakers, and systems that are running hotter than they should even though they appear normal are among problems that Quality Electric has detected via thermal imaging, Steiger said.

Quality Electric uses special software to analyze the images captured on the approximately $50,000 camera. Clients can receive a report on problem areas – an executive summary or a comprehensive report that shows the status of every system.

The reports let clients know that no action is required, or that imminent repair of systems is a low, medium, high or even critical priority.

In downtown Boise, Quality Electric assisted the Women’s and Children’s Alliance with an energy efficiency study. Thermography found one problem to be bad transformer connections.

An executive summary for another client’s evaluation found that a control panel was a high priority while certain breakers, fans, contactors and inverters were a low priority. Some other fans, contactors and a fuse holder were deemed a medium priority.

One recent study evaluated new equipment. Predictably, no problems were detected. But the study will serve as a benchmark for future evaluations, Steiger said.

“Evaluations may be (done) once a year, or more for 24-7 operations,” she said.

Full reports detail the status of each type of system – compressor connections, breakers, bus connections, contactors and fuse holders, for example. Any temperature anomalies are listed, along with recommendations.

Steiger said there are other providers of thermal imaging service, and alternatives including less expensive heat-sensing equipment with more limited diagnostic capability.

“One advantage of being an electrical contractor is that we can get in and open these panels,” she said.

Steve Minnis, deputy chief of the Boise Fire Department, said that while infrared technology has been around for a long time and the military has been one of its users, fire departments have been using it more recently.

Bad electrical connections – a common cause of building fires, often produce “resistance heating” – the electricity does not flow efficiently, temperature increases at the connection point and “it could lead to breakdown or failure of equipment, or could conduct heat to an adjacent combustible,” he said.

The Boise Fire Department inspects some businesses at least annually – and others less often – depending on their size, relative fire hazard and occupancy. The department runs public education programs on building safety.

For businesses, thermal imaging “is very proactive and can be very valuable,” Minnis said, adding that it could improve operating efficiency and, to some extent, reduce fires.

At Quality Electric, thermal imaging represents a small portion of total revenue but has good prospects for growth, Steiger said.

For new clients, “it is an opportunity to introduce Quality Electric, and show that we are willing to invest in these tools,” she said.