Panel Thermography and Periodic Testing Intervals
Thermal imaging under normal load surfaces loose connections and overloaded circuits before they fail. Periodic re-testing keeps the rest of the IEC 60364-6 sequence current — at a cadence set by the installation, not a fixed calendar.
How we approach it
Baseline under normal load
The panel is scanned with a thermal camera while operating under its normal service load — not de-energised — so real operating conditions, not idealised ones, are captured.
Read the thermal image
The output is an annotated thermal image showing relative hotspots against surrounding components, not a single pass/fail number.
Triage and follow-up
A hotspot is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Flagged areas get a physical follow-up inspection — torque check, load review, component condition — to find the actual cause.
Set the re-test interval
Based on installation type, duty/usage intensity and the applicable standard or insurer requirement, we agree a periodic re-testing cadence with you — not a one-size-fits-all number.
What this covers
One standard, two moments
IEC 60364-6 governs both the initial inspection of a new installation and the periodic inspection of an existing one — periodic testing repeats the relevant parts of that same sequence.
Thermal imaging, not thermometry
A handheld spot thermometer measures one point; thermography maps the whole panel face at once, so a hotspot on a bus bar or terminal is visible against its neighbours.
Under load, not at commissioning
Loose connections and overload rarely show up de-energised. Scanning under real service load is what actually surfaces the early-warning signs.
Finds symptoms, not root causes
A hotspot tells you where to look, not why it's hot. Confirming a loose lug, an undersized conductor or a failing component still needs a physical inspection.
No universal interval
How often to repeat testing depends on the installation type, how hard it's used, and the standard or insurer clause that applies to the site — we won't quote a fixed number that ignores that.
Every measurement gets a protocol
Each test — thermography included — is documented in a protocol recording method, instrument and result, ready to hand to the facility owner, insurer or authority.
What you get
A maintenance-planning package an integrator can hand to the facility owner alongside the initial handover documentation.
- On-site thermal scan under normal operating load
- Annotated thermal image report with flagged areas
- Follow-up inspection recommendations for confirmed hotspots
- Periodic re-testing interval proposal for your installation
- Measurement protocol ready for handover or insurance
Frequently asked questions
How often should panel thermography be repeated?
It depends on the installation type, duty/usage intensity, and the applicable standard or insurer requirement — there's no single interval that fits every site. We propose a cadence based on your specific installation, not a generic schedule.
What does a thermography report actually contain?
An annotated thermal image of the panel under normal load, with flagged temperature differentials relative to surrounding components — not a single pass/fail number. It's a starting point for physical follow-up, not a final verdict.
Does a flagged hotspot always mean a fault?
Not necessarily. Thermography finds a symptom — a temperature difference — not the root cause. A flagged area needs a physical inspection (torque check, load review, component condition) to confirm what's actually happening.
Is thermography part of the IEC 60364-6 test sequence?
IEC 60364-6 defines the visual inspection and measurement sequence — continuity, insulation resistance, loop impedance, RCD testing and so on. Thermography is a complementary practice we run alongside that sequence, particularly useful for periodic inspection of panels in service.
Can thermography replace continuity, insulation or loop impedance testing?
No. Thermography catches a different class of problem — heat under load — and doesn't measure insulation resistance, protective conductor continuity or fault loop impedance. It complements the IEC 60364-6 measurement sequence, it doesn't replace it.
Plan your inspection and testing schedule
Send us your installation type and duty profile — our engineers will propose a thermography and periodic re-testing plan, and the protocol format to go with it.