Infrared Testing In South Carolina

Transworld Electric offers infrared testing in South Carolina and Georgia.

Infrared testing uses a thermal-sensitive camera that is designed to discover any hot spots in your electrical equipment and prevent unexpected shutdowns and costly repairs. Infrared testing can improve the safety and reliability of your electrical system and is most effective when it is combined with a comprehensive electrical predictive maintenance program that is performed on a routine basis per the National Fire Protection Association.

Over the years, the thermal cameras used to perform infrared testing have become very affordable and we have seen an increase in the number of electrical contractors that have started offering infrared testing services to their customers. With so many options, it is important to know what qualifications to look for when hiring an outside electrical contractor to perform infrared testing on your electrical equipment.

What are three qualifications to look for when hiring for infrared testing?

1. Licensed Journeyman or Master Electrician

The technician performing the infrared test should be a licensed electrician who understands the electrical measurement and equipment being tested.  Only a licensed electrician has the knowledge needed to perform a root cause analyses on all anomalies that are detected during the infrared test and provide actionable data for planned repairs. In addition, true accuracy and precision during infrared testing can only be achieved by safely removing the panel covers from the electrical equipment. Transworld Electric requires every electrician hired to be licensed electrician.

2. Level I & Level II Infrared Thermography Certified

With the more affordable infrared thermography cameras on the market, more electrical contractors have purchased infared cameras and failed to receive training on how to use then correctly. The infrared testing camera may seem simple to use but there is a lot of technical components that the technician needs to understand in order to perform an accurate infrared scan. When looking to hire for infrared testing, the technician should be a Level I and Level II Certified infrared Thermographer. Only a certified infrared thermography professional can understand the complex camera emissivity settings for the materials being measured, and the criticality of comparing phase to phase temperature differentials (not phase to ambient).

If you are looking for infrared testing in South Carolina, Transworld Electric’s electricians are both Level I & II Certified Infrared Thermographer. Transworld Electric has been a full service  electrical contractor in South Carolina since 1987 and has performed infrared testing in facilities all over the state of South Carolina and Georgia.

3. NFPA 70E Qualified & PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

NFPA 70E: Electrical Safe Work Practices states that the owner of the equipment is liable for the safety of all site personnel including contractors. It is the owner’s responsibility to assure that anyone performing infrared testing is NFPA 70E qualified. Specifically, NFPA 70E requires that the technician performing the infrared testing is qualified to work on energized equipment within the restricted boundary and wears the proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for the equipment hazard rating. (NFPA 70E 2018 Updates HERE) Transworld Electric not only requires electricians to be NFPA 70E qualified but we also offer NFPA 70E qualification training in South Carolina. Contact us today if you are interested in becoming NFPA 70E qualified.

When looking to hire an electrical contractor in South Carolina to perform infrared testing on your electrical equipment, Transworld Electric’s licensed electricians have the experience and qualifications that are required to perform an effective and accurate infrared test. Transworld Electric’s team of professionals can work with you to create a customization electrical testing program including infrared testing. You will receive a comprehensive report that will include the condition of your facility and the electrical equipment tested. The report will be hand delivered and show the infrared thermal photograph next to a digital photograph with the recommended repairs procedures. Transworld Electric’s licensed electricians can also handle minor repairs on the job and will provide quotes for all of the recommended repairs.

Don’t be fooled with competitors that use inexpensive thermal cameras and inexperienced technicians that often miss hot spots and are very inaccurate, hire Transworld Electric today.

What are the most common conditions detected during an infrared test?

• Loose/deteriorated connections

• System Overloads

• Damaged switchgear

• Imbalanced circuits

• Unbalanced Loads

• Inductive heating

• Harmonics

• Defective equipment

• Poor workmanship

What are the benefits of infrared testing?

• Reduce costly emergency repairs

• Reduce unplanned downtime

• Schedule non-emergency repairs during normal work hours

• Lower utility costs

• Increase safety

• Increase profits

• Lower insurance premiums due to reduced losses

• Reduce business interruptions

• Increase the life of the equipment

How much can you expect to save by investing in electrical preventative maintenance?

Infrared testing revealed a high voltage connection was failing.
Cost avoidance: $192,222

Infrared testing revealed a high voltage connection was failing.
Cost avoidance: $213,000

Infrared testing revealed failing contacts on the main switch of the facility.
Cost avoidance: $78,455

Visual inspection revealed they were missing the grounding conductors. This was brand new MRI machine.
This resulted in the control boards being replaced 3 times at a cost of over $52,000.

Visual inspection revealed that the Chiller MCC buss was loose from initial installation.
Cost avoidance: $279,676

Transworld Electric can help reduce costly repairs and downtime while protecting employees from hazards with infrared testing in South Carolina and Georgia.