What happens when a thermography survey finds a hot connection on a data centre board that can't be isolated yet?

The finding is reported the same day with its location, measured temperature, the difference in °C from a matching reference and the load at the time. That lets the site plan the investigation into its next maintenance window. Until then the site’s own engineers decide any interim measures, and a repeat image of the same connection at similar load shows whether it is changing.

Why this happens in data centres

A thermographer images the power path live, so findings turn up on boards that are carrying critical load right now. In a dual-fed (A/B) design, the site can often move load and isolate one side, but only through a planned change: a method statement, a change window and a check that the other side can carry it. On a board without a second feed, or during a change freeze, isolation may be weeks away. The survey should not stop because of that. Its job is to give the site the facts it needs to plan (see what happens after a survey finds a hot connection).

What the report should give you for that finding

Exactly where it is: board, section, circuit, phase and the connection itself, with a thermal and a visual image.
The measured temperature and where on the component it was taken.
The difference in °C from a matching connection under similar load, such as the same phase on the other side of a 2N pair.
The load at the time, so the next image can be compared like for like (see enough load on each side of a 2N data centre).
What was not imaged on that board and why, so nobody assumes the rest is clear.

A thermal image shows heat, not its cause. The report says what was measured; the site’s electrical contractor finds the cause with the circuit isolated.

Planning the fix

Most operators feed the finding straight into their change process: raise it with the maintenance contractor, book it into the next window, and attach the thermal image to the change request so the people doing the work know exactly which connection to look at. Where a change freeze is in place, the finding and its images sit ready for the first window after it lifts (see surveying around a change freeze). Interim measures are the site’s decision, made by its own engineers under its own rules.

Tracking it until the window

A repeat image of the same connection, at similar load, shows whether the reading is steady or rising. That is a short visit: the thermographer images the one board, records the load and adds the reading to the original finding. After the work, a re-image under load confirms the result and closes the finding out.

A finding from the busbar stage

On a London data centre build, commissioning thermography by our team found 16 busbar sections reading above 80 °C under test load, the highest 103.5 °C at a tap-off unit. Each was reported with its location and reading so the contractor could plan the work before handover (see busbar thermography at commissioning).

Frequently asked questions

Should the survey stop if a finding can’t be isolated?

No. The thermographer reports it and carries on, so the site has the full picture of every board in one report.

Can Ti Thermal Imaging carry out the repair?

No. Ti inspects and reports. The site’s electrical contractor investigates and carries out any work, and we re-image afterwards to confirm the result.

How soon should a repeat image be taken?

That is the site’s call, based on the finding and its own risk process. The report gives the readings and load needed to compare.

What happens when a thermography survey finds a hot connection on a data centre board that can’t be isolated yet?