Electrical IR Survey on Siesmic Mapping Vessel


Our company continues to grow strongly in the electrical thermal imaging industry in New Zealand. We have imaged 1000’s of switchboards across NZ, namely in the agricultural, food production, cold storage, shipping and offshore oil sectors.

We were recently hired to complete the thermographic survey of a large vessel while in the process of siesmic mapping of the ocean floor off the east coast of the South Island, NZ in search for potential oil fields. For optimal results, all infrared surveys should be carried out under maximum load where possible, and in this situation the ship was in transit at the time of inspection. This also allows the ships engineers/electricians to switch over to back up systems so all associated electronics can be accurately infrared imaged during the same survey.

We are an experienced thermography company in NZ, qualified for infrared inspections on Switchboards and Mechanical Components in all types of facilities.

Here is a typical list of components we apply thermal imaging surveys to on ships, and all onshore operations:

  • Main Engines
  • Generators
  • Main Switchboards
  • Emergency Switch Gear
  • Main Propulsion Units
  • MCC Boards
  • Motor Junction Boxes
  • We carry out thermal imaging of all Distribution Boards, such as 24V, 230V, 400V, 440V… right up to 11KV and everything in between.
  • Infrared imaging of Transformers, Compressors, Automation, Motors, Propulsion Drives, Cabling etc.

If you are looking for a reliable infrared company in NZ with an excellent track record for providing prompt service at short notice, along with compliant thermal imaging reports accepted by insurance companies who now require AS/NZS 3019:2007 (electronic installations – Periodic Verification) standards, then call us today to discuss your project and a free quote over the phone based on requirements.

We are certified thermographers with current medicals, HUET, BOSIET and constantly updated infrared cameras and technology. Call today to find out more.

Infrared Electrical Inspectors – Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch – NZ Wide

If you are looking for infrared electrical inspectors in NZ, we offer an experienced nationwide service by certified infrared thermographers. Our most popular inspection type (normally referred to us by insurance companies), is thermal imaging of electrical switchboard panels.

To date, our company has infrared tested 1000’s of switchboard panels both onshore and offshore in NZ. We are a trusted provider of electrical thermal imaging services nationwide. No client is too big or small.

Here’s some photo’s recently taken during an electrical audit of an oil company in NZ…

A: T2 crimp needed to be replaced. Hot spot detected at over 100 degrees on a mud pump blower, requiring immediate further investigation due to the cable not being rated to the detected temperature.

B: Rig Air Compressor. The white phase was running 50% warmer than the black and red phase under the same load. This should be a balanced load.

C: Drill Water Pump: T3 White phase running hot. Incoming and outgoing should be the same temperature in this situation.

D: Load not balaced when all 3 phases were running the same amps.

We offer a prompt, efficient service nationwide… with the best pricing and quality reporting guaranteed.

Infrared electical inspectors and thermographic survey companies: Ashburton, Auckland City, Blenheim, Christchurch, Coromandel, Dargaville, Dunedin, East Auckland, Gisborne, Greymouth, Hamilton, Hastings, Invercargill, Lower Hutt, Manukau, Masterton, Matamata, Napier, Nelson, New Plymouth, Nth Shore, Orewa, Palmerston North, Papakura, Queenstown, Raglan, Rotorua, South Auckland, Taupo, Tauranga, Timaru, Upper Hutt, Waiheke Island, Waikanae, Warkworth, Wellington, West Auckland, Whangarei

Electrical Thermal Imaging Surveys

Our company is now specialising in electrical thermal imaging surveys across NZ, and the more switchboards we inspect, the more we begin to wonder why there hasn’t been more electrical fires!

Here’s a photo of a switchboard that was only inspected 6 months earlier… a perfect example of why routine preventative maintenace is so important. This photo is of a hot spot around the termination point of 160 amp breaker. The 3 phases were all running at 73amps, yet the red phase was running 50% warmer. This is called an anomaly requiring further investigation:

We have now detected so many faults during routine infrared scans of electrical systems, we can see why our clients are now switching to bi-annual thermographic surveys rather than annually. The fact that our biggest NZ clients use our service on a repeat basis is testiment to the value of infrared thermography surveys in general, and to the service we offer.

The look on the site managers face when a hot spot is detected which is very close to causing a fire, is one of relief… relief that they decided to get a thermographic inspection if the first place. Situations like this makes them quickly understand the value in what thermal imaging surveys can offer.

Infrared Electrical Surveys – 2000+ Switchboards Imaged

Our company has successfully conducted infrared electrical surveys on 1000’s of switchboards in NZ.

With more and more insurance companies referring their commercial clients to us, infra red electrical surveys are quickly becoming the most requested service we offer… all over NZ. Infrared thermographic imaging allows us to quickly and easily determine if an electrical fault is ‘in the making’, allowing you to make a targetted repairs without causing further faults in the system down stream.

If you’ve never had your company switchboards imaged with an infrared camera, then now could be the time. The other advantage to our service, is that we can see if the boards have been neglected, dusty, rats living inside etc etc… all the potential fire dangers that you may not have thought of. Rats like to chew the insulation off wiring, so we’ll keep an eye out for those types of small issues on the way around your switchgear as part of the service.

We are a preferred supplier of thermographic infrared electrical surveys all over NZ, so we can certainly service your company with our accurate service and reporting standards which will comply with insurance company requirements. Read about the types of companies we already service here…

http://findaleak.co.nz/results-thermal-imaging-of-electrical-switchboards.html

Thermographic Survey of Electrical Systems – NZ

Here is exactly why a regular thermographic survey of company electrical systems is so important.

I inspect switchboards for many different private, commercial and insurance companies right across NZ, but the latest infrared electrical inspection in particular was quite interesting… for all the wrong reasons (In my opinion).

When you have a 24/7 operation, a thermal imaging survey every 6 months should be strictly enforced… not every 9 or 12 months. Recently, I was called out to an oil rig that had just experienced a fire in one of the main switchboard rooms nine months after the first thermographic inspection was carried out. If this company had maintained a strict policy for every 6 months, then this hot spot/fire hazard would have been picked up well in advance. To make matters worse, it was at 1:00am in the morning when the alarm went off. The crew of 40+ workers woke up to a fire on a ship full of oil. Not good. Put yourself in that position!

Upon the re-inspection of the surrounding switchboards in the same electronics room, I found another huge hot spot caused by a loose connection on the back of a sea water injection pump. The temperature at the connection was 167 degress! Here’s the photo…

Hot Spot Caused by Loose Connection
Hot Spot Caused by Loose Connection

This was a large offshore operation, so it was easy enough to shut this pump down and switch to the back up pump. It didn’t end there…

Next… I was thermal imaging a lighting panel in the engine room, and suddenly a glowing 92 degrees hot spot was coming off a 20amp breaker. Further testing showed 27 amps running through. It turns out the breaker and cables were under rated. One fire and two potential fires found within 3 weeks… this is not a record to brag about… but it can happen to any company who turns a blind eye to the importance of electrical system faults.

Remember, it only takes one hidden loose connection to potentially ‘bring the house down’. This is why some insurance companies now require thermal imaging prior to issuing a policy.

If you are considering a thermal imaging thermographic inspection, then now is the time. As the above company recently found out, it can turn out to be very expensive if you just ‘hold off’ for a few weeks or months… or not at all.  More electrical fault photos here

Infrared Inspection Services NZ

Are you looking for an experienced infrared inspection service in New Zealand?

Our infrared services are used by some of the largest companies in NZ for both leak and electrical inspection applications. (See types of companies we currently service here).

With many insurance companies in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch (NZ Wide) requiring infrared thermal imaging of electrical switchboards as part of their insurance policy issue requirements, we have been enlisted to provide infrared work to companies with just one switchboard, right through to our larger clients that have 200+ boards that need to be scanned.

No matter what type of IR inspection service you require, we can assist you with a reliable service and quick report turn around time.  We also work with electrical companies throughout the North and South island who require an independant inspection opinion.

Infrared thermography is all we do.

loose connection
loose connection

 Call us today for a free quote over the phone!

Infrared Thermography Inspection of Electrical Systems

Infrared thermography is a fast way to determine electrical faults, no matter what the complexity of the component is.

Recently I conducted a complete thermal imaging electrical inspection on an offshore oil rig. You can only imagine how important it is to prevent any type fire breaking out on a ship full of oil! The main benefit of electrical thermography is that the infrared camera can detect hot spots (and alot more) in an instant… the human eye will not see any of these anomalies in most cases.

No matter how switched on your on-site electrician or maintenance officer is, they simply won’t see what infrared can see… it’s impossible. In the case of this particular job, the thermography inspection yeilded 18 faults. Here is an example of just one electrical fault I found on board…

electrical hot spot thermography

NZ Commerical Clients: NZ District Councils – Publically Listed NZ Companies – Banks – Shopping Center Chains – Shipping Companies – Mining Companies – Oil Companies – Offshore Oil Rigs – Marine Services – Production Companies – Engineering Companies – Electrical Contractors – Leisure Centers – and many others (Specific names available upon request).

We conduct electrical thermography inspections throughout New Zealand, so feel free to call today for a quote based on your company circumstances.

Thermal Imaging – Electrical Switchboards


We are one of New Zealand’s leading and longest established providers of quality thermal imaging services of electrical switchboards. SEE CLIENT LIST & SAMPLE PHOTOS BELOW…

Our key strengths include:

  • We are certified thermographers
  • We are experts in the infrared thermal imaging field – We created a thermal imaging business blueprint followed by over 450 thermography companies worldwide.
  • Years of experience in thermographic surveys here in NZ
  • Nationwide coverage
  • Fast 24hr turnaround of reporting
  • Reports meet the requirements of insurance companies
  • We are a preferred supplier for many insurance & property management companies
  • Quality service and excellent reporting standards assured’.
  • B.O.S.I.E T – H.U.E.T & EBS Certified by M&O Pacific Ltd (Issued in New Plymouth)
  • We are independent inspectors. What this means to you, is that we don’t have a ‘vested interest’ in finding electrical problems, with no sales pitch to ‘upsell you’ further repair services at the end of the inspection.  
  • Continuity/Familiarity – Each client is assigned one certified thermographer for the lifetime of the job.
  • Competitive pricing
  • We are already established in the industry, with many high profile commercial clients in NZ

***SOME OF OUR NATIONWIDE NEW ZEALAND CLIENTS INCLUDE:***

electrical thermographers nz

NZ Commerical Clients: NZ District Councils – Hilton Hotels – Banks – Shopping Center Chains – Shipping Companies  – Mining Companies – Oil Companies – Offshore Oil Rigs – Origin Energy – Marine Services – NZ Schools – Production Facilities – Engineering Companies – Manufacturing -Electrical Contractors – Leisure Centers – and many others (Specific names available upon request).

Here’s some recent photo’s of switchboard panel inspection faults detected using our thermal imaging camera…

Below is an infrared photo of an overheated red phase on a 160 amp breaker – All 3 phases were running at 73 Amps, yet the red phase was 50% warmer. This thermal imaging thermographic fault was detected in a Coolroom switchboard from one of our nationwide clients – May 2010.

Any company that has multiple switchboards under load at any given time, should seriously consider thermal imaging as a preventative maintenance measure to detect faults in advance. Here’s why…

Our company was recently hired by a Nth Island regional city council to conduct infrared thermal imaging on all their switchboards within a particular division, and it was well worth the exercise! As a result of what we found, they have now seen the benefit of getting routine inspections as a form of preventative maintenance. Other types of faults we may come across during the inspection could look like this… (Cracked busbar insulation)

Cracked busbar insulation compare

When you have heavy machinery, or thousands of people relying on a multiple switchboards to be functioning correctly, the last thing you want is electrical failure. In most cases you only find out when it’s too late. When you open a switchboard, you’ll normally find a sea of wiring infront of you, and guessing which wire has caused the problem can certainly cost valuable time and money…especially if a shut down has occured and you’re in a hurry to get it back online. Thermal imaging will sort out any faulty wiring of switches immediately, allowing you to replace parts well in advance of a shut down.

electrical fault

In the case of this particular job (over 30 switchboards imaged), we found overheating main switches, arcing, loose connections, hot wires… you name it we found it! The electrician on the job (38yrs experience) with me couldn’t believe what he was seeing!

Thermal imaging allows us to detect minute temperature variations, so any electrical wire that is over heating stands out like a sore thumb! Unfortunately humans can not see these issues with the naked eye… but our infrared camera will see it immediately… and as a result preventing the possibility of an unwanted breakdown well in advance.

If you have a switchboard(s) in your workplace, or any electrical panel/wiring, give us a call and we’ll run the infrared camera over it for you… and as the city council just found out, it’s a very wise investment to make in your facility.

Studies show the average payback for routine thermal imaging on electrical components is 4:1.

Contact us today.

electrical thermographyelectical thermal imaging>electical thermal imaging

Thermal Imaging Can Detect Various Electrical Faults and Overloads

Looking for a fast way to detect faults in any given electrical distribution system?

As electrical current flows through a conductor, heat is generated. Using our thermal imaging camera, electrical faults and potential system overloads can be detected weeks in advance by identifying inconsistant temperature variations on any given surface or electrical component. This will help prevent any unschedualed system shut downs.

electrical hot spot thermal imaging

We use thermal imaging to detect abnormal temperature variations that cause common electrical faults, such as…

Loose/deteriorated connections – Overloads – Imbalanced Loads – Open Circuits – Inductive Heating – Defective Equipment – Faulty Wiring

Can’t find an electrical fault? Contact us today for a thermal imaging inspection of your electrical distribution system! We can also conduct schedualed routine predictive and preventive maintenance progams in your workplace.

Please note: Thermal imaging inspections on electrical systems require a certified electrician or on-site maintenance officer to confirm readings with an ammeter or voltmeter.

NZ Commerical Clients: NZ District Councils – Publically Listed NZ Companies – Banks – Shopping Center Chains – Shipping Companies – Mining Companies – Oil Companies – Offshore Oil Rigs – Marine Services – Production Companies – Engineering Companies – Electrical Contractors – Leisure Centers – and many others (Specific names available upon request).

Increase Uptime – Reduce Downtime Using Infrared Thermal Imaging

If you own a company, or are incharge of the maintenance within a company, you should clearly understand that the more time a company is producing a product or providing  service, the more cash flow it brings in. When there’s an interuption to the chain of events that bring in this cash flow, you lose money but maintain the same overheads. In a nutshell, if your power goes out you lose money in wages, and you can also lose product.

No matter if it’s a big company with lots of machinery, or a small company only using a few ovens, the actual cost of an electrical failure can cost hundreds, if not tens of thousands of dollars to a company! Using a regular infrared predictive maintenance program can dramatically reduce the probabilities of a power outage.

hot spot

Many company’s have a schedualed downtime, but simple problems that can’t be seen with the human eye (such as loose connections), can usually be identified with a thermal imaging camera when under load and emitting infrared radiation. We suggest getting a thermal imaging scan over all electrical components in your workplace BEFORE the schedualed downtime, that way your service can be completed efficiently, thus reducing the downtime. An efficient service to machinery and electrical means getting up and running faster = more revenue.

Contact us today for a complete scan of all the critical electrical components in your workplace.