Power quality and infrared thermography in Toronto
Loose connections and overloaded circuits get hot long before they fail, and poor power quality trips UPS systems to bypass. Symetrix Canada coordinates infrared thermography and power quality surveys for UPS systems, PDUs, panels and switchgear in Toronto, the GTA and Ontario data centres and critical sites. Requests get a reply and a quote within 4 business hours.
Key facts
- Thermography interval: every 12 months for most equipment under NFPA 70B1
- Canadian framework: CSA Z463, maintenance of electrical systems2
- Scope: UPS input, output and battery connections, PDUs, panels, switchgear, transfer switches
- How we deliver it: we coordinate, with a certified thermographer and power quality specialist
- Response and quote: within 4 business hours
We coordinate this service with specialist partners.
Infrared thermography
An infrared camera shows temperature differences between connections that should run at the same temperature. A terminal running hotter than its neighbours points to a loose, corroded or overloaded connection. NFPA 70B, a standard since its 2023 edition 3, lists infrared thermography of all electrical equipment every 12 months, and every 6 months for equipment in poor condition 1.
What is inspected:
- UPS input, output and bypass terminals, and battery string connections under load
- PDU and panel breakers and terminations
- Switchgear and transfer switches, where safe access allows
Each finding is reported with the image, the temperature difference and a priority.
Power quality
A power quality survey records voltage, current, harmonics, sags, swells and transients over a period, usually days, at the UPS input or a distribution point. It answers questions such as:
- Why does the UPS go to bypass or to battery without an obvious outage?
- Is a generator’s output stable enough for the UPS to accept it?
- Are harmonics from the load overheating cables, shared return conductors or transformers?
When to book it
- Annually, with the UPS preventive maintenance visit
- After a fault, a breaker trip or an unexplained transfer
- Before and after adding significant load
- At commissioning, during the load bank test
Common questions
How often should electrical equipment get infrared thermography?
NFPA 70B lists it every 12 months for most equipment, and every 6 months for equipment in poor condition 1.
What does thermography find on a UPS?
Loose or corroded terminals, unbalanced phases, overloaded conductors and failing battery connections, all of which run hotter than they should under load.
What is a power quality survey?
A recording of voltage, current, harmonics and disturbances over several days at the UPS input or a distribution point, used to explain unexplained UPS transfers, trips and overheating.
Does thermography require a shutdown?
No. It is done with the equipment running under load; covers are opened only where it is safe and permitted.
Request a quote
Reply and quote within 4 business hours; same day in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Quebec City, and 24 to 48 hours elsewhere in Canada.
Sources
- National Fire Protection Association, NFPA 70B (2023 edition) second revision committee report, Table 9.2.2 Maintenance Intervals
- CSA Group, CSA Z463:24 Maintenance of electrical systems, Preface/Scope
- National Fire Protection Association, Safely Maintain Electrical Equipment According to NFPA 70B, paragraph 1
Updated