Heat is an early warning
Most electrical and mechanical problems produce heat before they fail. A thermal camera makes that heat visible, so maintenance teams can find a loose connection, an overloaded circuit or a dry bearing weeks before a breakdown.
What to scan
- Electrical panels, breakers, fuses and terminations
- Motors and their bearings
- Gearboxes and couplings
- Conveyor rollers and belts
- Steam traps, pipes and insulation
- Furnace and refractory walls
How to build a routine
Create a route of critical equipment, scan under normal load, and save images with temperature readings. Compare each round with the last; a rising trend is often more meaningful than a single reading. Compare similar components side by side — one hot phase among three is a clear signal.
Choosing a camera
Consider resolution (more pixels see smaller faults from further away), temperature range, accuracy, and software for reports. Handheld cameras suit routine rounds; fixed cameras can monitor critical assets continuously.