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How Electrical Thermography Works: A Simple Guide

If you’ve ever heard the term “electrical thermography” but weren’t quite sure what it meant or how it works, you’re not alone. Many building managers and business owners know it’s important — but don’t know how it actually helps prevent electrical problems.

Let’s break it down in a simple, clear way.

🔍 What Is Electrical Thermography?

Electrical thermography is a method that uses a thermal imaging camera to detect temperature differences in your electrical system.

The idea is simple: faulty or overloaded components heat up. Even if everything looks normal from the outside, a thermal camera can “see” what the eye can’t — heat spots.

These hot spots may signal:

  • Loose wiring
  • Overloaded cables
  • Damaged breakers or fuses
  • Imbalanced three-phase systems
  • Ageing components

🔧 How Does It Work in Real Life?

Let’s say you’re managing a factory. A licensed thermographer arrives with a thermal camera (usually handheld or tripod-mounted). Without turning off your power, they:

  1. Scan your electrical panels, DBs, MCCs, and switchgears
  2. Capture thermal images showing real-time heat patterns
  3. Mark areas with abnormal temperatures
  4. Save and label the images for reporting
  5. Analyze the data back in the office using software
  6. Send you a full report with photos and recommendations

It’s fast, safe, and doesn’t interrupt your operation.

🧪 Why Temperature Tells the Truth

Electricity naturally produces some heat. But when connections are loose or equipment is strained, the heat becomes abnormal — often rising well above 80–100°C.

These temperature increases are early warning signs. Thermography lets you detect them before:

  • Circuit breakers trip
  • Equipment fails
  • A fire starts

And because it’s non-contact, there’s no risk to the technician or your equipment.

📊 What’s in a Thermography Report?

You’ll receive a professional report containing:

  • Thermal images (before and after if action was taken)
  • Temperature readings in °C
  • Severity rating (Normal / Warning / Critical)
  • Location & component ID
  • Recommended action (Tighten, replace, monitor, etc.)

Many of our clients also use these reports to show compliance to insurance auditors, JKKP, or internal safety teams.

✅ Why Businesses in Malaysia Use Thermography

At LANAFIRA, we’ve worked with factories, shopping malls, cold rooms, offices, and high-rise buildings across Malaysia. Most clients come to us because they want:

  • To prevent unexpected breakdowns
  • To comply with preventive maintenance standards
  • To catch problems early and avoid shutdowns
  • To support safety audits or insurance inspections

🕒 When Should You Get It Done?

A good rule of thumb: once a year.

But you should also schedule it:

  • After a major equipment upgrade
  • If you’re seeing irregular power usage
  • If you’ve had unexplained tripping
  • Before insurance renewal or safety audits

📞 Need a Certified Thermography Team?

If you’re serious about preventing electrical risks and keeping your operations running smoothly, electrical thermography is not optional — it’s essential.

Let our team at LANAFIRA handle your inspection professionally, with certified reports and clear recommendations.

📧 Emailadmin@lanafira.com.my
📱 Phone: 019-8435460
🌐 Websitewww.lanafira.com.my