Images can be viewed in infrared through specialized microscopes that electricians use. The human eye is unable to detect things like natural or man-made heat, so electricians like to conduct electrical infrared inspections to view these things. Normal light is unable to detect heat from artificial or natural objects. IR technology can be used for electrical infrared inspection and can detect things like human cell changes and electrical circuits.

When electricians inspect the home, they use IR to detect electrical or mechanical elements under normal conditions to identify abnormally cool or hot components or areas. It is one of the most powerful maintenance tools available and is less invasive than older methods of detection. In many circumstances, equipment failure can be preceded by a period of increased heat. This is most common in electrical equipment.

With IR thermography, electricians can identify overheating connections, circuits, and other components. It helps professional electricians to schedule repairs during planned electric downtimes. These methods increase safety, reliability, and productivity for the entire operation and all those involved.

Homeowners, business owners, and professionals experience significant cost savings when using IR technology. When professionals use the technology, there are fewer interruptions which can increase uptime for commercial buildings or keep the power on in residential homes during examinations. This technology lets professionals fix issues before they happen as well as prevent harm, further damages, and unnecessary emergencies.

As far as safety is concerned, industrial processes can run reliably without any serious surprises down the road, which in turn produces a safe work environment. Many homes and commercial buildings have complex electrical components that run at extreme speeds. A sudden failure on one of the electric components can cause a cascading nightmare of failures that may include fire or meltdowns or damage to any device plugged in outlets.

When electrical elements and its circuitry are not duly inspected or maintained, fires are a real possibility. Fires can be caused by overheating components and failed circuits. Faulty wiring plays a large role in the statistics of common reasons why buildings catch fire. Bad design, wiring, and components can be easily detected through IRs. If there is a bad connection in the design, critical components can overload, overheat, and catch fire.

IR inspections provide quality results and are advised at least yearly. Time proves to be the determining factor in the state of wires, after a while they will deteriorate with usage. Eventually after some wear and tear, the thermal housings may deteriorate, connections may sever, and components may go bad.

The technology does not require direct contact with anything, but the tests must be performed while equipment is running under normal load conditions. This allows a residence or commercial building to operate while the building is being inspected. If there is a noticeable temperature difference, abnormal friction, or a deterioration of thermal insulation, electricians can act proactively. That is why it is important to have an electrician examine the building as soon as possible as hot spots can fail while in service and cause panics, fires, and ruined equipment.