Understanding Australian Standards for Electrical Thermography

If you’re responsible for a commercial or industrial site, you’ve probably heard references to ISO standards in thermography reports. But what do they actually mean, and why should you care?

This guide breaks down the key electrical thermography standards used in Australia, including ISO 18434-1 and ISO 18436-7. We’ll look at what they cover, who they apply to and how they affect the quality of the inspection and reporting you receive.

Key Talking Points

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  • Why do electrical thermography standards exist in the first place?
  • What ISO 18434-1 says about how inspections are carried out.
  • What ISO 18436-7 requires in terms of technician competency.
  • The difference between Category I, II and III thermography certifications.
  • Why insurers and WHS regulators pay attention to these standards.

Essential Standards for Electrical Thermography

In Australia, two ISO standards are particularly important, but they serve different roles.

AS ISO 18434.1:2010 governs how thermographic inspections must be performed, including inspection methodology, measurement procedures and reporting practices.

AS ISO 18436.7:2014 governs the certification and competency of thermography professionals performing those inspections.

Put simply, ISO 18434-1 defines how thermographic inspections are carried out, while ISO 18436-7 defines who is qualified to perform and interpret them.

Together, they form the backbone of professional electrical thermography programs in commercial and government facilities.

Understanding AS ISO 18434.1

AS ISO 18434.1 sets out how a thermographic inspection should be performed so the results are technically sound and repeatable. Rather than inspections being informal visual checks, it requires a structured approach to capturing and interpreting thermal data.

What Does it Cover

Equipment suitability
The infrared camera must be appropriate for the asset and properly calibrated. Resolution, temperature range and sensitivity all matter when assessing live electrical infrastructure.

Environmental factors
Load levels, ambient temperature, airflow and reflective surfaces can all influence readings. Inspectors need to account for these variables. Otherwise, the data can be misleading.

Data recording
Images must be clearly labelled and supported with contextual information, including asset ID, load conditions and measured temperatures. Without that detail, the image alone doesn’t tell you much.

AS ISO 18436.7:2014

AS ISO 18436.7:2014 defines the training and competency requirements for thermography professionals under ISO 18436-7. In other words, it sets the bar for who is qualified to operate the camera and interpret the results.

What Does it Explain

ISO 18436-7 requires formal training, assessment and certification. It’s designed to prevent unqualified operators from producing reports that could misinterpret temperature differences as serious faults or worse, miss critical issues altogether.

Certification typically involves formal training, examination and practical assessment delivered through accredited training organisations. This ensures thermographers are capable of operating the equipment correctly and interpreting temperature anomalies within the context of electrical system behaviour.

For facility managers and procurement teams, this is more than a technical detail. If the person conducting the inspection isn’t properly certified, the credibility of the report can be questioned.

Certification Levels Under ISO 18436-7

One of the most common misunderstandings we see is the assumption that ‘certified’ means the same thing across the board. It doesn’t. Under ISO 18436-7, certification levels reflect different levels of responsibility and technical depth. That difference can directly affect the quality of advice you receive.

You can read more about our team’s background and experience at Thermal Scanners.

Category I (The Technician)

A Category I thermographer is trained to operate infrared equipment and identify obvious temperature anomalies. They can capture images and highlight areas that appear hotter than expected.

What they’re not qualified to do is provide detailed engineering analysis or explain the underlying failure mechanism.

Category II (The Expert)

A Category II thermographer goes further. They interpret the data in the context of the electrical system, assess the severity of the fault and provide practical recommendations.

If a defect is identified, that analysis often feeds directly into coordinated electrical compliance repairs, ensuring the issue is not only documented but resolved properly.

Category III (Advanced Thermography Specialist)

Category III certification represents an advanced level of thermographic expertise under ISO 18436-7. Professionals at this level are capable of developing thermography inspection procedures, establishing inspection programs and providing advanced technical analysis of complex systems.

Category III thermographers may also be responsible for reviewing inspection methodologies, validating inspection results and providing technical oversight across large inspection programs.

This level of certification is typically associated with senior thermography specialists responsible for program design, quality assurance and complex diagnostics.

Why it Matters

For commercial and industrial facilities, the certification level of the thermographer performing the inspection can directly affect the credibility of the report.

Many insurers, auditors and compliance programs expect thermographic inspections to be conducted or overseen by appropriately certified professionals under ISO 18436-7.

Higher certification levels indicate greater diagnostic capability and a stronger ability to accurately assess electrical risk. For complex facilities or critical infrastructure, oversight by Category II or Category III thermography professionals provides greater confidence that defects have been correctly identified and prioritised.

Why These Standards Matter for Your Business

When your inspection program aligns with recognised electrical thermography standards, you’re showing that hazards are being identified using accepted methodology and qualified personnel. That’s important if an insurer, auditor or regulator ever asks questions.

Insurance Validity

Many insurers now require periodic thermographic inspections, particularly for high-rise buildings, manufacturing facilities and data centres.

Reports that reference ISO 18436-7 competency and follow structured inspection procedures provide stronger assurance that electrical risks have been properly assessed.

WHS Compliance:

Under Australian Work Health and Safety laws, duty holders must take reasonably practicable steps to manage risk. That includes identifying electrical hazards before they escalate. Using recognised standards and properly certified personnel supports a defensible compliance position if an incident occurs.

FAQs

Is electrical thermography mandatory in Australia?

Not universally. However, it’s commonly driven by insurer requirements, contractual obligations and internal risk management programs. The need varies depending on your industry, asset type and risk profile.

For many sites, annual or biannual inspections are standard. Higher-risk environments, such as facilities with critical infrastructure or high electrical loads, may require more frequent assessment.

  • At a minimum, you should expect:
  • Asset identification and location
  • Infrared and corresponding visual images
  • Clear description of anomalies
  • Severity or risk classification
  • Load conditions at time of inspection Date and time
  • Camera details and calibration status
  • Practical recommendations

If those elements aren’t present, the report may not stand up well under scrutiny.

Book Your Electrical Thermography Inspection

When inspections follow ISO 18434-1 and are overseen by appropriately certified professionals under ISO 18436-7, your organisation has stronger assurance that electrical risks are being identified and documented correctly.

If you’d like to review your current inspection approach or clarify compliance expectations, get in touch with our team.

What is Thermal Scanning?

Thermal scanning is the use of a special type of scanner (camera-like device) that records the temperature distribution of an object by detecting infrared radiation.  Normally, humans are unable to see into the infrared spectrum and instead have a very narrow field of vision, as shown below.  However, with special equipment, we are able to detect and convert this infrared data into a visual image.

Diagram of infrared spectrum and visible spectrum

What is Infrared Radiation?

Everything with a temperature above absolute 0 (-273.13°C or 0°K) releases infrared radiation. In operating electrical and mechanical equipment, that heat forms a measurable pattern that can be captured through thermal scanning, even when there are no visible signs of a problem.

Using thermography, this data is converted into a thermal image showing how heat is distributed across a surface. Although the image itself is quite simple, interpreting it requires technical knowledge and understanding of operating conditions. Reliable interpretation depends on how those patterns compare under load, within expected operating ranges and in the context of the site and conditions at the time of inspection.

What is a thermal image?

In practical terms, it is a visual snapshot of surface temperatures taken during a thermal scan. Colour variations indicate differences in heat across an asset, helping highlight areas that may be operating outside expected conditions. When reviewed alongside load and site context, a thermal image provides valuable insight into developing faults.

However, accurately measuring temperature is more complex than it first appears. Different materials emit infrared radiation at different rates due to their ‘emissivity’, which directly affects how heat is recorded during thermal scanning. This is one of the reasons thermography must be carried out by trained professionals who understand how surface type, finish and environment influence the readings. Emissivity is a technical topic in its own right and is explored in more detail separately.

What Can Thermal Scanning Detect?

Because thermography focuses on surface temperature differences, it is well-suited to identifying heat-related issues that are not visible during a visual inspection. These conditions are more common than many people expect and are frequently found in electrical equipment, solar installations and areas of energy loss.

In electrical systems, heat is often an unwanted byproduct of increased resistance. As faults develop, issues such as loose connections, load imbalance or component degradation cause resistance to rise, leading to elevated operating temperatures. Depending on the component and load, temperatures can exceed 400°C prior to failure, significantly increasing the risk of electrical fire if left unaddressed.

Thermographic results are assessed comparatively, not in isolation. Identified hot spots are reviewed against surrounding surfaces and components, against similar equipment operating under comparable conditions, and, where available, against a previous thermal image of the same asset. This approach helps determine whether a temperature variation reflects normal operation or a developing fault.

Thermographic scans are commonly used on:

  • Electrical switchboards and distribution boards.
  • Transformers and high-voltage equipment.
  • Circuit breakers and cable terminations.
  • Motors, pumps and generators.
  • Bearings and conveyor systems.
  • Solar panels and associated connections.

What Can't Thermal Scanning Detect?

Thermal scanning can only detect the surface energy of an object. It does not see through walls, clothing, glass or other solid materials. While popular media often suggests otherwise, thermal scanners record infrared energy emitted from the surface of an object, not what lies beneath it. For this reason, results must be interpreted with a clear understanding of asset construction, access and operating conditions at the time of inspection.

Types of Thermal Imaging

Mechanical thermography

Mechanical thermography uses high-resolution infrared cameras to assess heat patterns in operating mechanical equipment. Scans are typically carried out while assets are under normal load to identify issues caused by friction, wear or misalignment. It is commonly used on pumps, bearings, generators, motors, conveyor lines and rollers. Learn more about mechanical thermography and how it supports early fault detection and planned maintenance.

Electrical thermography

Electrical thermography involves scanning live electrical systems with calibrated infrared cameras to identify abnormal heat caused by faults or inefficiencies. Inspections are commonly carried out on cables, circuit breakers, switchgear and transformers while equipment is operating under load. Learn more about electrical thermography and how it supports electrical safety, compliance and risk management.

Cold room leak detection

Cold room leak detection uses thermal scanning to identify areas where temperature loss indicates insulation failure or air leakage. Scans commonly reveal issues at insulation panel joints, floor-to-ceiling junctions, corners, door seals and service penetrations such as electrical and plumbing points. Learn more about cold room leak detection and how it supports energy efficiency and temperature control.

Why are Thermal Scans Helpful?

Thermal scans are typically scheduled as part of routine maintenance, rather than triggered by a visible fault. This allows developing issues to be picked up while the equipment is still operating normally. In many cases, abnormal heat can be traced back to loose connections, load imbalance or early component wear, well before failure occurs. Addressing these issues early reduces the likelihood of fire risk, equipment damage or an unplanned shutdown later on.

Thermal scanning also supports wider safety and operational outcomes:

  • Reduces risk of injury by identifying electrical and mechanical hazards before they expose staff or customers to fire or electric shock.
  • Limits shutdown costs by allowing issues to be addressed during planned maintenance.
  • Reduces repair costs by preventing secondary damage caused by prolonged overheating.
  • Supports regulatory compliance through documented, insurer-ready inspection evidence.
  • Highlights energy inefficiencies by revealing heat loss and abnormal operating conditions.

When to Do a Thermal Scan

Thermal scans are typically carried out as part of a regular, insurance-compliant inspection program, particularly where electrical assets present a higher risk profile. Ongoing inspections help demonstrate due diligence and provide documented evidence for insurers and auditors.

The need for thermal scanning, including how often it is performed, depends on how the equipment is used and the environment it operates in. These requirements vary across sectors, which is why many organisations align inspections with thermal scanning for your industry.

Thermal scans are commonly recommended:

  • Before and after major electrical or mechanical system upgrades.
  • On main switches or distribution boards with ageing or outdated equipment.
  • Where assets operate in dusty or corrosive environments.
  • When electrical equipment is installed near combustible materials or exposed to open air.
  • On circuits operating close to their maximum rated capacity.

Who Should Conduct Thermal Scans?

Thermal scans should be carried out by accredited professionals with the qualifications, experience and reporting capability to support insurance and audit requirements. Thermal Scanners specialises in electrical thermography and compliance testing across commercial, industrial and government infrastructure. Our work is led by highly qualified engineers, supported by large-scale project experience, detailed audit-ready reporting and fast turnaround times. 

If you need advice on inspection scope, compliance requirements or scheduling, you can contact us to discuss your site or portfolio.