Electrical systems often show signs of trouble long before they fail, but only if you know where to look. At Legacy Industries, we use advanced infrared thermal imaging to detect hot spots, overloads, loose terminations, and hidden faults in your electrical infrastructure. Our certified technicians interpret thermal data to prevent fires, breakdowns, and costly downtime across Upstate South Carolina, North Georgia, and Western North Carolina.
What Is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal imaging (also called infrared scanning) captures invisible heat signatures emitted by electrical equipment. Abnormal heat often signals resistance, overload, or poor connections, all early warnings of failure or fire risk.
Using industry-standard IR cameras, Legacy Industries inspects panels, switchgear, transformers, motors, and distribution systems without interrupting operations.
Benefits:
Early fault detection without shutdowns
Lower maintenance and repair costs
Improved equipment reliability and uptime
Enhanced safety and fire prevention
Documentation for insurance and compliance
Key Components We Inspect
Component
What We Look For
Why It Matters
Main Switchboards & Panels
Overheating breakers, lugs, or bus bars
Prevents arcing and equipment failure
Subpanels & Disconnects
Loose terminations, load imbalance
Reduces fire and outage risk
Transformers
Core heating, winding imbalance
Identifies early insulation failure
Motors & VFDs
Bearing or winding hot spots
Extends lifespan and prevents downtime
Control Cabinets
Overloaded relays or wiring
Improves control system reliability
Lighting & Distribution Circuits
Excessive heat at connections
Ensures consistent performance and efficiency
How Thermal Imaging Works
Setup & CalibrationOur technician configures a high-resolution infrared camera, adjusting emissivity and range for accurate readings.
Scanning Under LoadWe scan energized systems operating at normal capacity to capture real-world thermal data.
Image CaptureEach target is photographed in visible and thermal spectrum, identifying temperature differentials.
Analysis & InterpretationWe compare results against ambient reference points, load, and manufacturer standards.
Reporting & RecommendationsYou receive a detailed report showing affected components, temperature deltas, severity rankings, and corrective actions.
Applications of Infrared Thermography
Residential
Detect overheating breakers or faulty outlets
Evaluate panelboard terminations and neutral bars
Identify overloaded circuits before tripping
Locate energy loss points for better efficiency
Commercial
Inspect office, retail, and medical electrical gear during operation
Prevent failures in lighting, HVAC, and refrigeration circuits
Support insurance inspections and safety audits
Verify performance after electrical upgrades or repairs
Industrial
Analyze high-current feeders, MCCs, switchgear, and process equipment
Detect imbalance or phase loss in motors and drives
Validate connections after maintenance shutdowns
Support OSHA/NFPA compliance for predictive maintenance programs
What We Identify with Thermal Imaging
Issue
Thermal Signature
Result if Uncorrected
Loose termination
Localized hot spot
Arcing, conductor damage, potential fire
Overloaded circuit
Uniform overheating
Nuisance trips, insulation failure
Imbalanced phases
Uneven heating on legs
Motor vibration, reduced efficiency
Faulty breaker
Excessive heat on pole
Breaker failure or trip under load
Failing motor bearing
Circular hot spot on housing
Seizure, equipment shutdown
Transformer defect
Differential heat in coils
Power loss, insulation breakdown
Advantages of a Thermal Imaging Program
Predictive Maintenance:Â Identify problems early to schedule repairs during planned downtime.
Safety:Â Reduce electrical fire risks by detecting overheating components.
Energy Efficiency:Â Correct load imbalance and poor connections that waste energy.
Documentation:Â Provide proof of maintenance for insurance and facility audits.
Compliance:Â Supports NFPA 70B and OSHA 1910 recommendations for electrical preventive maintenance.
Detailed Deliverables
Each thermal imaging report includes:
Annotated thermal and visible-light images
Component descriptions and temperature deltas
Severity codes (Critical, Serious, Monitor)
Recommended corrective actions
Maintenance and re-inspection intervals
Reports are delivered digitally with clear visuals suitable for facility records, insurance, or audits.
When to Schedule a Thermal Scan
Annually for residential systems
Quarterly or semiannually for commercial buildings
Before and after major maintenance or upgrades
After storm events or unexplained tripping incidents
When adding new loads or electrical equipment
Complementary Services
Torque verification and re-termination of flagged connections
Breaker and panel maintenance for overheating prevention
Load balancing and power quality analysis
Integration into preventive maintenance plans
Surge protection evaluation
Safety & Compliance
Our technicians operate under strict NFPA 70E safety protocols, maintaining safe distances, PPE use, and energized work permits where required. Every camera is calibrated and traceable to ISO standards for accuracy.
Industries Served
Manufacturing and processing plants
Healthcare and laboratory facilities
Distribution centers and logistics warehouses
Education and municipal infrastructure
Commercial offices and retail centers
Residential and multi-unit housing complexes
Service Areas
Thermal imaging and fault detection available across:
Greenville
Spartanburg
Anderson
Simpsonville
Laurens
Gaffney
Western North Carolina
North Georgia
We provide convenient scheduling to minimize disruption and align with facility operating hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does thermal imaging require shutdowns?
No, it’s a non-contact, non-invasive method done on energized systems during normal operation.
How accurate is thermal imaging?
Our cameras detect temperature changes as small as 0.1°C, offering precise fault localization.
Do you provide repair services for detected issues?
Yes. We correct identified faults promptly, ensuring the system returns to safe and reliable operation.
Is infrared scanning required by insurance?
Many insurers now require annual IR scans for commercial and industrial facilities as part of risk reduction.
Can you include thermal imaging in maintenance plans?
Absolutely, it’s a standard component in our preventive maintenance programs.
Protect Your Property and Operations
Electrical faults rarely happen suddenly, they develop slowly. Legacy Industries helps you see them before they cost you. Our certified infrared thermographers deliver precise imaging, actionable reports, and repairs that keep your systems safe, efficient, and compliant.
Phone:Â (864) 431-4670
Email:Â tyler.abbott@legacyind.net
Service Region:Â Upstate South Carolina and surrounding areas
