What Is NFPA 70B?
Effective January 16, 2023, NFPA 70B officially transitioned from a Recommended Practice to the Standard for Electrical Equipment Maintenance. This update established formal maintenance requirements within the standard and emphasizes the importance of implementing a documented preventive maintenance program for electrical equipment.
NFPA 70B provides guidance for developing maintenance programs that improve equipment reliability, enhance worker safety, and support long-term asset performance through routine inspections, testing, and preventive maintenance.
Where Infrared Thermography Fits In
Infrared thermography is recognized as an important predictive maintenance tool within NFPA 70B. Thermal imaging allows qualified inspectors to identify abnormal heat patterns while equipment is operating under normal load, helping maintenance teams detect potential areas of concern that may warrant further evaluation.
Depending on equipment type, operating conditions, and criticality, routine infrared inspections are commonly incorporated into preventive maintenance programs.
- Loose electrical connections
- Overloaded circuits
- Failing breakers
- Unbalanced electrical loads
- Deteriorating components
- Transformer issues
- Motor Problems
- Fuse failures
- Bus duct abnormalities
- Electrical hot spots
Depending on equipment type, operating conditions, and criticality, routine infrared inspections are commonly built directly into a facility's preventive maintenance program.
Recommended Inspection Frequency
The appropriate inspection interval depends on equipment type, operating conditions, criticality, and manufacturer recommendations. As part of a proactive maintenance program, many facilities incorporate annual infrared thermographic inspections, while mission-critical or high-demand equipment may benefit from inspections every or as determined by their maintenance program.
Routine inspections help establish a thermal history of your equipment, making it easier to identify changes over time and prioritize maintenance before conditions become more significant.
How Smith Proactive Thermography Can Help
Smith Proactive Thermography provides professional infrared thermographic inspections that support your facility's preventive maintenance efforts. Using advanced thermal imaging technology, we identify temperature variations and potential areas of concern that can help maintenance teams prioritize inspections, evaluate equipment condition, and make informed maintenance decisions.
Each inspection includes a detailed report with thermal and visual images, temperature measurements, findings, and recommendations to assist with maintenance planning and documentation.
Whether you're establishing a preventive maintenance program or enhancing an existing one, our inspections provide valuable information to support the reliability and performance of your equipment.
Important Note
Infrared thermography is one component of a comprehensive maintenance program and should be used alongside appropriate inspections, testing, and maintenance performed by qualified personnel. Our inspections identify thermal conditions observed at the time of the inspection and are intended to support maintenance planning and decision-making.
