Thermal Scanners were contacted to perform Thermal Imaging on a tavern located in Melbourne in order for them to maintain their insurance policy. The Melbourne tavern was constructed within the last 20 years and had a relatively modern electrical system in place with a total of 5 switchboards including:
- Main Switch Board With 2 sections,
- 2 x Distribution Boards, and
- TAB Sub Board
In order to perform the most accurate survey, Thermal Scanners organised to conduct the thermal survey during the busy lunch period for the Melbourne tavern, in which the largest amount of electrical load would be on the site. It was noted that the site was drawing large electrical load due to the temperatures found on the Main Isolator being 50°C, whereas a low load would cause the Isolator to be closer to ambient temperature.
The elevated temperature is not a problem as this is still operating well within the operating temperatures of both the isolator and cable, however it is good to note that the survey will be performed under sufficient load. When completing a Thermal Imaging Survey, Thermal Scanners also complete a visual check of all the boards, cables and equipment to ensure that they are safe and have no damage such as corrosion, evidence of a fire and that the boards are appropriately secured. The Melbourne Tavern had no visual faults during the survey, however when carrying out the Thermal Survey a hot spot was located on the Neutral Bar.
This fault found on the Melbourne Taverns Neutral Bar is what we would categorise as a level 2 thermal exception requiring investigation in the very near future. At first it appeared like this fault was most likely due to a loose connection where the connecting cable is loose and creating a high resistance location. Although when examined closer in the visual spectrum we can see that the screw used is actually of a different material composition.
These two different materials connecting and passing electrical current through them create a hot resistance connection. This problem is then a simple rectification for the Melbourne Tavern to have their preffered electrical contractor attend site and replace the neutral bar screw to the correct material composite.
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