Excess Heat = Trouble Ahead

Excess heat means trouble for electrical systems. High temperatures can indicate several major problems with electrical equipment, including excessive electrical resistance, failing components, ground faults, or short circuits.  Finding these problems and failures may prevent costly repairs or even catastrophic failures. Visual and manual inspections are not sufficient for detecting these problems, but ITI technology is an accurate and cost-effective way to quickly locate the underlying problems.

Professional Thermography: Fast, Accurate Detection

Richardson Home Inspections uses cutting-edge infrared technology to detect problems that can compromise the safety and reliability or your electrical systems. Our Thermographers can quickly pinpoint any issues and develop a comprehensive report of any thermal stresses in your electrical system.

Any inspection using infrared Thermography can be conducted during normal operations; there is no interruption necessary. Our survey can identify in “real time” any emerging problems that may exist.

More Than Just An Evaluation

Our Thermographer will be accompanied by a Licensed Electrical Contractor on every ITI Electrical Survey. Any “thermal anomalies” will be evaluated and can be repaired on the spot by a Licensed Electrician. All estimates for repairs will be presented to the client before we take corrective action. All corrective actions or repairs will be documented in “before” and “after” Thermograms and referenced in a complete ITI Electrical Survey report.

Example #1: The above Thermogram and associated digital image were taken while evaluating a main electrical panel (fuse panel). The Thermogram shows a 15 amp fuse hotter than the surrounding fuses in the panel. The amperage draw on this circuit was measured at 13 amps, which is over 80% of the rated load for the fuse. An overloaded circuit is a potential “fire hazard” that left undetected could cause catastrophic failure. Visual and manual inspections are not sufficient for detecting these problems, but ITI technology is an accurate and cost-effective way to quickly locate the underlying problems.

Example #2: The above Thermogram and associated digital image were taken while conducting a scan of a family room. The Thermogram shows a dimmer switch that is hotter than the surrounding switches. Dimmer switches are typically hotter than normal due to internal resistance, but this particular dimmer was wired to eight recessed lights in the ceiling of the family room. The excessive heat is clearly an indicator that the dimmer is not sufficient for all of the recessed lights on the circuit. Again, this is a potential “fire hazard” that left undetected could cause catastrophic failure.