Electrical Infrared Inspection Requirements

Presently nfpa 70e serves as a written safety standard for the inspection of energized electrical distribution systems.

Electrical infrared inspection requirements.

Before an electrical component burns up it heats up. 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. This standard covers an application which is both art and science.

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. Conducting infrared electrical panel inspections. 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. 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.

Since thermography is solely inspection and not maintenance part iii is not applicable for infrared inspections. The infrared electrical systems survey is typically conducted on an annual basis as part of a regular preventive maintenance program. While some of the requirements are redundant to osha s 1910 nfpa 70e is more comprehensive. Infrared thermography is used to perform pd pm inspections on electrical equipment because excess heat is usually the first sign of trouble on electrical or mechanical apparatus.

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. Figure 1 is an old style liquid nitrogen cooled two piece infrared camera system that weighed in excess of 60 pounds. Routine infrared inspections of energized electrical systems should be performed annually prior to shut down. Systems and equipment covered are typical of those installed in industrial plants institutional and commercial buildings and large multifamily.