When should an inspector be concerned about electrical

[rkalan]

Although image shows only 83 deg is this still a problem?

[Larry D. Kage]

Originally Posted by rkalan

Although image shows only 83 deg is this still a problem?

Probably not but additional information could help like:

What was the ambient temperature?

Can you post the natural light image?

Was there a load on any circuits?

[David A. Andersen]

#1 the spot temp is not correct.

#2 there is an apparent load imbalance between L1 and L2.

#3 the neutral is hotter than L2.

#4 You need to know the load to know how hot it could be when fully loaded.

#5 What was the RAT?

[Jason Kaylor]

Randy,

Please do not take this the wrong way, but I highly recommend level I and level II if you want to use accurate temperature measurements. If you want to get in to the world of electro and mechanical inspections I would also recommend that course. People will balk at this and say that it is just too much for the training. It is not rare for us to do one inspection that would pay for all of that training.

Just as an example in this particular image, your spot measurement is not fully filled up by your target, hince David's comment about your spot measurement being inaccurate. Due to that as well as, but not limited to; emissivity, reflective apparant temp. (RAT) and line of sight (potentially other wires in front of target).

Jason Kaylor – JJ
VP of Specialty Products
877/207-1244
AC Tool Supply
Energy Auditor
Arizona Thermographic Inspections
Insulation Machine
Fluke Ti32

[David A. Andersen]

Jason is not blowing "smoke"!

I have two checks sitting here in front of me that arrived this weekend, one is $1,960 and one is $1,600 for electrical inspections and here is one more for $985 to find a ceiling radiant heater break.

You do not get these checks because you simply "own" a thermal camera. You must deliver the goods!

Although image shows only 83 deg is this still a problem?

The answer to this question is why you pay the "big bucks" beyond the cost of the camera for adequate education.

When you no longer need to ask these questions, that is when you get job referrals from Flir, Infraspection and Jason (to name a few)...

Your just starting out and we are not trying to belittle you, but the answer to this question is all over the place out there. We recommend that you further your education because we can't help you when you don't gather the required information to provide a meaningful recommendation.

Also, You should never point an IR Camera at anything you do not have an significant background in.

Is there convection air on the panel?
What is the breaker capacity?
What is the current load?
What is the max expected load on the circuit (not the breaker rating)?
Is the load inductive or resistance?
What is the panel ambient?
What other heat (or cold) source in the room is effecting the temp measurement?
Are you measuring a direct or indirect target?
You can not correct for "focus" or improper "distance" (reason for your bad target temp).
And yes, we need to know emissivity of the target.