A contribute to loss prevention and

operational reliability

Thermography in Electrical
Installations

VdS 2858en : 2004-03 (01)

Thermography in Electrical Installations

Thermography what is it?

Thermography is an objective image-giving
measuring method with which the surface temperature can be determined contactless. Weak
points of electrical installations can be detected
in a very short time. The measuring tool used for
thermography receives emission which is not
visible for the human eye and converts this in
visibly thermal images. A qualied evaluation of
these images delivers important information for
the operator.

Thermography purpose and

benets

VdS 2858en : 2004-03 (01)

Measurements may be performed normally only

on installation components which are open resp.
visual accessible. If given, covers etc. shall be removed or doors shall be opened.
It is recommended to perform thermographical
measurements in co-operation with the responsible electrical expert resp. to discuss the evaluation of the measurement with this expert.
For an expert analysis of the determined faults
it may become necessary to perform additional
measurements at the electrical installation (e. g.
current or voltage).

Thermography Where?

Purpose and benets are

Typical elds of application of thermography are:
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reduction of risks of re and accident

documentation of installation statuses and
potential risks
early detection of weak points respectively
damages
rise of availability and reliability of installations
avoiding of consequential loss

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Thermography may offer an important decision

guidance in order to plan and realize necessary
measures (e. g. maintenance, up-dating etc.).

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transformators of all performance classes

and voltages
power factor compensation equipment
low, middle and high voltage switchgear
installations
switchgear and control cabinets, fuse boxes
electrical machines and drives
electrical equipment in mobile installations
cable boards, busbar systems, overhead
wire etc.

Thermography When and

how often?
It is recommended to
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Thermography how to do it?

Thermography allows determining temperatures
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under realistic operational conditions

in a secure distance for the engineer to all
dangerous installation components
without disconnection of consumers so to
say in active operation

perform an initial inspection for new installations resp. installation components in order to
detect installation faults as potential malfunction sources.
perform periodic inspections of the electrical
installation. The inspection interval depends of
the load of the system, of environmental inuences as well as the results of former thermographical inspections.

Thermographical inspections should be performed yearly if possible in connection with the required periodic inspections of the electrical installations. Depending of operation conditions these
intervals may vary.

VdS 2858en : 2004-03 (01)

Thermography in Electrical Installations

Examples of ows

Contact failure

Faulty screw terminals

Faulty wrap connection

Thermography by whom

Thermography importance?

The VdS-approved electrical thermographer

is recommended. He has given proof of his expert qualication and disposes of the necessary measurement equipment. A respective list of
these electrical thermographers is regularly published by VdS Schadenverhtung (VdS 2861).

Electrical installations have to be inspected according to national regulations, laws and standards like the following in Germany.
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Technische Prfverordnungen of the respective German Bundeslnder

BGV A2 (Unfall-Verhtungs-Vorschrift (UVV)
der Berufsgenossenschaft (German Accident
Prevention Regulations of the German Accident Insurance Fund)

Thermography in Electrical Installations

DIN VDE 0105, which requires the inspection

of the proper status of the electrical installation,
Fire insurers condition (article 3602) (German
Feuerversicherungs-Klausel (Klausel 3602),
which requires in addition an inspection on the
security regulations of the re insurers.

Thermography, however, cannot substitute

these inspections of electrical installations. Especially it does not replace the necessary visible controls, function tests, current measurements etc.,
which have to be performed in the course of the
a. m. periodic inspections. However, it represents
an auxiliary, supplement measuring method and
allows especially analyses and evaluations of the
status of the installation, which until today were
possible only with great effort/expenses. Thermography this way is part of the state of security
techniques.

VdS 2858en : 2004-03 (01)

Hints and contacts

A list of VdS-approved electrical thermographers
(VdS 2861), the standard inspection report (VdS
2860) as well as the guidelines for approval of
electrical thermographers (VdS 2859) and further
information on the subject are available at the following address:
VdS Schadenverhtung
Security
Amsterdamer Strae 174
50735 Kln (Cologne), Germany
Phone: +49 221 7766 444
Fax: +49 221 7766 307
E-Mail: hschmolke@vds.de
Please visit us on our website:
www.vds.de

Publisher and Publishing house: VdS Schadenverhtung GmbH

Amsterdamer Str. 172 - 174 50735 Kln, Germany
Phone: +49 221 77 66 - 0 Fax: +49 221 77 66 - 341
Copyright by VdS Schadenverhtung GmbH. All rights reserved.