Should a factory have its thermography survey before or during its planned shutdown?

Before it, with a few weeks to spare. A survey carried out while the plant is running at normal production load finds the connections that need attention while there is still time to order parts and plan the work. The planned shutdown then becomes the window to put them right, instead of the moment problems are discovered.

Why not survey during the shutdown?

Thermography finds a poor connection by the heat it gives off when current flows through it. During a shutdown the lines are stopped, motors are off and most of the distribution is carrying little or no load. A survey then sees cold equipment and can’t tell a sound connection from a poor one. It is the one time of year when the camera has least to work with (see what load a survey needs).

Why survey before it

Findings become shutdown jobs. Anything that needs a supply isolated to fix can go straight onto the shutdown work list, with its location already pinned down.
Time to order parts. Replacement breakers, contactors, terminals or busbar parts can have lead times. Surveying a few weeks ahead gives the maintenance team room to get them on site.
Labour is planned once. Contractors booked for the shutdown know what they are fixing before they arrive.
Normal load, normal conditions. The survey sees the plant as it actually runs, with production lines, MCCs and VSDs working (see MCC and VSD panels on a running line).

What if something urgent turns up?

Most findings can wait for the planned window. If the survey records a connection the site decides can’t wait, the report gives the maintenance team the exact location, the measured temperature and the difference in °C from its reference, so they can make that call with the evidence in front of them. Ti inspects and reports; the site’s own engineers or contractor decide on and carry out any work (see after a survey finds a hot connection).

After the shutdown: check the work

Connections that were remade during the shutdown are worth imaging again once the plant is back at normal load. A short follow-up visit confirms the repaired connections now compare normally with their neighbours and gives the site a clean baseline for next year.

Planning the visit

Agree a production day when the main lines, compressors and refrigeration plant are all running. Tell us which areas need hygiene or access arrangements, and have someone authorised to open panels with the survey team (see who opens the panels). Ti Thermal Imaging issues the report the same day, which leaves the maintenance planner the full lead time before the shutdown.

Why load matters

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. They showed because the system was carrying load when it was imaged. A factory is no different: image it while it is working, then use the shutdown to put things right.

Frequently asked questions

We only have one shutdown a year. Is one survey enough?

Many sites run an annual survey timed ahead of the main shutdown. Sites running around the clock often add a second survey in the year (see how often a food site should survey).

Can the survey be done without stopping production?

Yes. Thermography is non-contact and is carried out with the plant running. Panels are opened by an authorised person where it is safe.

Is there a best time of year?

Timing around production load matters more than the season. See the best time of year for a survey.