IR Scans

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sii

sii

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Nebraska
Our insurance carrier has recommended that we perform annual IR scans of all of our panel boards and MCP's. I'm still waiting to get the official report which I hope will include more specific information but in the meantime.......

Is there a typical standard that this is usually performed to?

I plan to have a couple local contractors quote this work but I'm wondering if it's possible, since we have multiple facilities, would it be less expensive to buy a camera and perform the scans ourselves. Anyone have any recommendations for buying a camera, minimum resolution that sort of thing?
 
sii said:
Our insurance carrier has recommended that we perform annual IR scans of all of our panel boards and MCP's. I'm still waiting to get the official report which I hope will include more specific information but in the meantime.......

Is there a typical standard that this is usually performed to?

I plan to have a couple local contractors quote this work but I'm wondering if it's possible, since we have multiple facilities, would it be less expensive to buy a camera and perform the scans ourselves. Anyone have any recommendations for buying a camera, minimum resolution that sort of thing?
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When a novice points an IR camera at anything, all they're seeing is relative differentials. Warmer is red, colder is blue. There's actually a very intricate training & certification process for operators which the insurance company may want. Or it could just be you keep a log and certify to them that someone did indeed periodically look for abnormalities. Like you said, pending more info from the insurance company. You also said "recommended"; does that mean not required? If so, then maybe doing in-house would suffice.
 
Just because one can buy an IR camera it does not mean you can use it properly and interpret the images properly. I am saying this because the local contractors may give you two different pricing. One has a $250 home depot camera and does not know what the images mean (all they know is point and shoot) and one has proper training and has a proper camera for the job and know how to interpret the images properly and give you what you need to hear.

You can buy the camera and go to a 3 day intense training and learn how to do it your self, but that will be an at least $5K investment depending on what type of camera you get and where you go for your training.
 
As simple as Thermography sounds, it is more difficult than you'd think. Always select a well-experienced contractor and avoid the cheaper bids....IOW, you typically get what you pay for. For example, I've seen the cheaper, less-experienced contractors fail to remove cover shields or perform scans with equipment offline (not sure how that one could fail). I also saw a less-experienced "theromographer" scan some MV buswork, got too close, and became a contact case. Not sure how but, he some how made it out of the hospital after a month without losing any appendages.
 
I have been performing IR surveys form 33 years one thing I have seen in the last 10 is a rush to the bottom, with every Tom, Dick and Jane getting into the market.

The report should be detailed.
The Thermographer should be certified and a licensed electrician, and trained in proper safety practices and wear proper PPE.
You have the panels open and 90% of a good maintenance program is visual, a licensed electrician should be able to note Code discrepancies and other issues.
IM me your email address I will send you a sample report and Scope of Services.
 
I've worked with both of the companies I've talked to extensively and both have certified IR technicians. I do think purchasing a camera is going to be an option as we've been on the fence about it for years for non-electrical uses, this may tip the scales in favor of purchasing one. Probably all depends on what the quote for an outside contractor is. Just a few years ago we would not have been willing to train someone to do this but now I think proper training would not be a problem. Looks like there are a few training companies within 60 miles of here.

On the other hand, I do think the official report is going to say "recommended" rather than "required". If that's the case, I doubt we'll do anything.
 
One item that is not always discussed with IR is that panel covers must be removed, switchgear doors opened, etc to be able to shoot the exposed energized connections. This exposes the person removing the covers, opening doors, etc. to the risk of an arc flash. The appropriate PPE needs to worn by that person and the IR tech can remain outside the arc flash boundary while this work is being done. Once the risk of an arc flash is no longer, then he can move into the area to perform his scan.
 
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