The use of thermal imaging surveys within industry, to aid maintenance regimes and assurance of uptime doing peak times, thermal imaging a panacea for electrical PM's.

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The use of thermal imaging
technology is fast becoming the
norm across many industries to aid
preventative maintenance (PM)
requirements. The technology is safe,
non-invasive and surveys cost-
effective. Permitting the identification
of electrical and mechanical
thermal deficiencies without plant
intervention, to maintain uptime.
A competent technician certified
to operate an infrared imaging
camera can precisely pinpoint
components deviating from a
baseline and plan PM needs to
either monitor or replace to mitigate
the risk of service failure. This is
where Geo Therm Ltd inspection
services excels, providing business
owners and stakeholders with its
global service experience and MO
excellence developed over 20 years.
Infrared energy is invisible to the
human eye unless a component is
incandescent. The technology does
not reply on external illumination,
rather it detects infrared energy
emitted from warm components,
such “hot spots” in wiring are
Reduce the risk of equipment fires &
downtime
thermal imaging a worthy panacea for electrical PM’s.
caused by high-resistance due
to poorly connected cabling,
loose terminations and overloads,
which if undetected can lead
to extreme overheating, system
failure or fire. On average 16,000
commercial fires occur every year
in the UK, approximately one third is
attributed to electrical distribution
system failures.
Utilising thermal imaging provides
real-time, non-contact temperature
measurement to capture the early
signs of heat generation. The
technology is very effective and
complements existing fire risk
avoidance measures for commercial
properties, factories, marine assets,
and offshore platforms, (see our
main advert opposite page on 13).
Thermal systems can further help
legal compliance requirements
related to the Electricity at Work
regulations. By complementing
the electrical periodic tests and
inspections regimes. Likewise,
surveys and condition reports
satisfy insurance prerequisites and
technical notifications.
However, before you race off to
procure the latest thermal imaging
device. Take in consideration initial
equipment start-up costs, specialist
PPE, and annual calibration OPEX.
Notwithstanding the personnel
training requirements and ongoing
competency validation. A rather
daunting and cost prohibitive
exercise, when other more cost-
effective options exist.
All too often our thermographers
see >£8-16K mid-range non-
calibrated or broken imagers
collecting dust on client shelving,
or no on-site technician qualified
or competent to use it. Often this
is attributed to an initial company
maintenance initiative, that did
not fully understand the process
controls and independent supporting
documentation requirements. In
contrast, the real panacea is hiring a
specialised 3rd party service provider
to kick-start the thermal program,
thereafter, used to shepherd the
program by drawing upon its
expertise underpinned by an annual
inspection service agreement.
Utilising the services of a 3rd
party provider like Geo Therm
Ltd has other long-term benefits.
Inspection routes become
more efficient, itinerary lists are
regularly updated and equipment
thoroughly inspected. Moreover,
services are impartial, over the
inexperience, bias, and time
constraints of the workplace
operative. Furthermore, the duty
manager knows the exact cost
per visit so can forecast future
maintenance finances and
expenditure.
In short, the use of Geo Therm
Ltd’s specialist services enables
stakeholders that one stop-shop
to a cost effective, professionally
planned inspection that asset
manager’s value, and auditors and
insurance companies recognise.