FLIR E96
- 640 × 480 detector, 1.2 MP with UltraMax
- Thermal range of -20 to 1500 °C
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Electrical and mechanical inspections
Electrical infrared inspections · Canada-wide, coast to coast
The heat shows up first.
This motor starter was running 100 °C above the rest of its panel: a repair-this-week finding. Electrical infrared inspections and testing across Canada.
- Level II thermographers
- Red Seal electricians
- Report in 10 business days
- Aviva partner
How it works
What happens during an electrical infrared inspection
An infrared scan finds the heat from loose, corroded, overloaded or unbalanced connections before they fail. A useful scan depends on planning: the right equipment list, safe access and a normal working load.
- 01
Scope and quote
Tell us the site, the approximate amount of equipment and any insurer request or deadline. Your quote confirms the equipment, dates, travel and report requirements.
- 02
Scan under normal load
We scan energized equipment during normal operation. Our electricians or yours open enclosures, as agreed for your site, and anything urgent is reported to your site contact before we leave.
- 03
Report and follow-up
The report usually follows within 10 business days, with each finding graded and a recommended action. Repeat scans show what is getting worse and confirm that repairs worked.
Why load matters: a connection that looks normal at light load can overheat at full load, so we schedule scans during normal operating hours. Where full load is not possible, NFPA 70B guidance is to scan at no less than 40% of normal circuit loading.
Before the visit, have ready
- Site address, an access contact and any orientation, escort or permit rules
- An equipment list or a rough count of panels, switchboards, MCCs, transformers and disconnects
- The hours when equipment carries its normal load, such as production shifts or peak occupancy
- Whether our electricians or yours will open enclosures under your site rules, and any that cannot be opened while energized
- Your insurer’s request and deadline, if the scan is for insurance
What you receive
- Thermal and visible photos of each finding, with the equipment identified
- Severity grades guided by NETA MTS Table 100.18, weighed against how critical the equipment is to your operation
- A recommended action and repair priority for your electrician
- An equipment inventory showing what was scanned, plus any access limits
- Other electrical deficiencies our electricians notice on site, listed separately
- A certificate of inspection and year-over-year trending, where included in your scope
Know the limits
What an infrared scan cannot tell you
Equipment it cannot see
The camera reads surface temperature. It cannot see through closed covers, glass or barriers. Enclosures that cannot be opened safely are scanned through inspection windows where fitted, checked with ultrasound, or listed as not inspected.
Ultrasound inspections →Faults that make no heat
A thermal scan does not test breaker trip timing, insulation resistance, relay settings or grounding. Those need electrical testing, usually during a planned shutdown.
Electrical testing →Readings that need judgement
Light loads, shiny surfaces and reflections can hide or mimic a problem, and a cold conductor can be the fault. Findings are interpreted by a Level II thermographer, not read off the camera.
When the cold spot is the problem →Why it pays
Key benefits of regular electrical thermal imaging
Minimize downtime
Due to the non-contact and non-invasive nature of thermal imaging, thermographers can carry out thermal analysis inspections while the plant or equipment is still fully operational.
Save money
Thermal imaging can detect faulty components or systems at an early stage, thus allowing the company to plan and conduct remedial work within a scheduled maintenance window. By early fault detection, damage to vital operational systems may be avoided saving thousands of dollars in unexpected down-time.
Accuracy and speed
Thermal imaging surveys can quickly scan and measure the temperature distribution of entire surfaces of electrical and mechanical equipment under normal load conditions. Preparation is mostly planning: an equipment list, safe access and a time when the equipment carries its normal load.
Non-invasive testing
Thermal imaging cameras are passive instruments: they detect the infrared energy emitted from the subject's surface. Nothing touches the conductors. Opening energized enclosures still carries shock and arc-flash risk, so safe access is agreed under your site's electrical safety rules before the visit.
Fewer health and safety incidents
Intervention through early detection can prevent hazardous equipment failure, personal harm, and risk of fire.
Records for insurers and audits
The report records what was scanned, the conditions, each finding and the recommended action: the record an insurer, auditor or maintenance program may ask to see. Your insurer decides whether it satisfies your policy.
Recurring infrared inspections
Every six months, every year or every two years: ask how a recurring program lowers your cost
Year-over-year scans of the same labelled assets show which connections are getting warmer, so a repair is scheduled before the failure, not after it.
Every year
Suits most commercial and light-industrial sites, and matches the yearly scan many insurers ask for.
Every six months
Heavy or continuous loads, critical or poor-condition equipment, or a history of findings.
Every two years
Light, stable loads with a clean scan history, where no insurer or program asks for a yearly scan.
Commercial and industrial infrared scans
- Maintain the integrity of your facility’s electrical system
- Reduce electrical fire hazards
- Provide uninterrupted power to tenants/clients/employees
- Detect faulty connections / overloaded circuits
Our equipment
The cameras we use
FLIR T865
- Used in indoor and outdoor applications
- 14° and 6° lenses for accurate measurement at a distance
- Utility, high-voltage, powerline and substation inspections
Who we work for
- Commercial Property Management
- Energy & Utility
- Industrial Manufacturing
- Multi-Residential / Condo Buildings
- Pulp & Paper / Forestry / Sawmills
- Plastic Manufacturing
- Shopping Malls / Strip Malls / Grocery
- Marine / Navy
- Renewable Energy
- Lobster Pounds / Fish Processing
What we inspect
- Electrical Distribution
- Specialty & Proprietary Equipment
- Electrical Panels, Disconnects, Transformers
- Solar / Renewable Energy Facilities
- Electric Heat Trace / Radiant Heat
- Motors, Pumps, VFDs, Motor Starters
What you receive
See a sample inspection report
Our sample shows the reporting available to your electricians, insurer and management: a Certificate of Electrical Compliance, colour-coded severity, repair recommendations with photos, an asset inventory, and year-over-year trending. This is a complete sample with demo client data.
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Electrical infrared inspection questions
Does the equipment need to be shut down?
No. An infrared scan needs the equipment energized and working, so the scan itself needs no planned outage. We agree in advance how to handle any enclosure that cannot be opened safely while energized.
How long does an inspection take?
It depends on the amount of equipment, the number of electrical rooms or sites, and access. Your quote states the planned time on site. For several buildings or sites, send all the addresses together so the visit can be planned as one route.
When do we get the report?
Usually within 10 business days of the site visit. Anything urgent is reported to your site contact before we leave. If you are working to an insurer deadline, tell us the date when you request the quote.
What does an electrical infrared inspection cost?
Price depends mainly on the amount of equipment, the number of sites, travel and the reporting you need. Send an equipment count or list and we reply with a quote within one business day. Ask how a recurring program lowers the cost; Aviva customers save 10%.
Will our insurer accept the report?
Your insurer decides. Send us their request before booking and we match the scope and documentation to it. See infrared inspections for insurance requirements.
Further reading
Ready to see your facility in infrared?
Tell us about your facility and we reply within one business day, or call Halifax 902-329-9685 or Calgary 403-493-9715.