For business premises and operational estates
Electrical Thermal Imaging Surveys in Scotland
Identify unusual heating in your electrical equipment and understand what needs attention. WB Electrical plans thermal imaging inspections of agreed assets, with traceable findings and practical recommendations for investigation, repair or monitoring.
From our Larkhall base, we support commercial and industrial premises across Glasgow, Edinburgh, Lanarkshire and the Central Belt. Wider Scotland and multi-site surveys are considered by agreement.
Agreed assets. Useful evidence. Clear next steps.
Start with the decision your survey needs to support
When an electrical thermal survey is useful
A defined survey helps maintenance and property teams assess selected equipment while it is operating. Tell us why the information is needed so the asset list, timing and report fit the task.
An insurer or auditor has asked
You need a documented thermographic survey for a renewal, risk review or audit. Share the written specification and deadline so the required scope and eligibility can be checked.
Equipment is causing concern
Unusual heat, recurring trips or a change in loading may warrant investigation. Thermal evidence can help locate an area of concern alongside the relevant electrical checks.
A shutdown or baseline is planned
Record selected assets under normal operating conditions before agreeing maintenance priorities. A traceable baseline can also support later comparison of the same equipment.
A defined electrical scope
Which equipment can be included?
We agree the low-voltage assets and accessible inspection points before attendance. Board quantities, panel size and the equipment served help define a useful survey route.
Distribution and switchgear
Main and sub-distribution boards, switchgear and agreed connections. Record board references and the circuits or operations they support.
Control panels and plant supplies
Motor control centres, drives, local isolators and selected machinery connections, with production duty and equipment ownership considered.
Critical and shared services
Agreed supplies to UPS systems, communications, refrigeration or shared building services. Involve the technical owner where access or manufacturer restrictions apply.
Thermal patterns can indicate high-resistance connections, unusual loading or cooling issues. The image alone may not establish the cause; electrical measurements or further inspection may be needed.
For offices, warehouses, production sites and public-sector estates, we agree coverage around the premises. High-voltage equipment, hazardous areas and specialist systems require separate assessment.
Useful operating conditions and planned access
Plan the survey around your operation
Equipment needs to be carrying a representative load. Idle, lightly loaded or recently started equipment may not reveal the heating present during normal use. Choose the survey window around production, occupancy and critical loads.
01
Agree the purpose and asset list
Share the site, equipment, previous findings and any reporting specification. Confirm the operating conditions needed and who will receive urgent findings.
02
Confirm a safe access method
Operating equipment and safe access are separate planning questions. Any cover removal or work near exposed live parts needs appropriate justification, authorisation and controls. A non-contact camera does not remove the electrical risk.
03
Survey and record the conditions
Capture thermal and corresponding visible images for the agreed coverage, with asset references and relevant operating information. Record inaccessible or unsuitable assets and explain any follow-up visit needed.
If the required load or safe view is unavailable, agree the limitation or reschedule. Unobserved equipment must not be reported as having been checked.
Planning a survey around production or a renewal date? Discuss your assets and survey window with WB.
A report that helps your team decide what happens next
From thermal findings to a practical action plan
A traceable survey record
- The agreed asset list, locations and survey coverage.
- Thermal and visible images linked to asset references.
- Relevant load, operating conditions and limitations.
- Findings, priorities and recommended next actions.
Agree the image coverage and report format before quotation. Apparent temperatures and comparisons need context; a colour or temperature difference alone does not determine urgency.
Priorities connected to the equipment
We consider the observed pattern, available operating information and the consequence of equipment failure. Significant concerns are communicated to the nominated site contact, with further investigation distinguished from a confirmed repair requirement.
WB can scope appropriate electrical investigation and remedial work, including planned isolations and completion records. Manufacturer or specialist involvement may be needed. Keep outstanding actions visible until the required work and checks are complete.
Electrical support in working industrial premises
Experience at North British Distillery
Investigation connected to practical site work
WB’s North British Distillery case study includes thermal imaging support for condition-led investigation alongside planned electrical work, reactive fault finding, inspection and testing.
The work spans the Edinburgh distillery and associated warehousing sites. Access, permits, production activity and isolation windows are coordinated for the task, providing relevant experience for planning electrical surveys in operational premises.
Supplier assurance
Review WB’s current contractor evidence. Share any specified thermography qualification, camera, calibration or reporting requirement so suitability can be confirmed before booking.
Practical answers before booking
Electrical thermal imaging questions
Does thermal imaging replace an EICR?
No. Thermography provides additional condition evidence for the agreed equipment under the observed conditions. It does not replace fixed-installation inspection and testing, establish overall electrical compliance or show every concealed defect.
Will the report meet an insurer’s requirements?
The insurer or requesting party decides what it accepts. Send its written requirement before quotation, including asset coverage, competence evidence, report format and deadline. We can check the requested scope without promising acceptance or determining insurance cover.
How often should thermal surveys be repeated?
The interval depends on equipment criticality, duty, environment, previous findings, manufacturer information and any specific requirement. There is no universal annual interval for every premises. Planned repeat surveys belong within the wider maintenance programme.
Can the camera see through closed metal covers?
No. It records radiation from visible surfaces, so covers and internal barriers can obscure components. Reflective surfaces can also distort apparent temperature. Safe viewing arrangements and remaining limitations must be agreed; a clear external image does not verify everything inside.
Is a thermal re-check useful after a repair?
A re-check under comparable operating conditions can show whether the original heat pattern has changed. It should accompany the inspection, testing and records appropriate to the repair. It does not certify unrelated equipment or guarantee future performance.
Choose the next service to match the requirement
Connect your survey to the wider electrical plan
Fixed installation condition
Arrange the inspection, electrical tests and reporting needed to assess your fixed wiring.
Ongoing condition monitoring
Build comparable repeat surveys and action tracking into a continuing maintenance programme.
An insurer or audit evidence pack
Bring the relevant thermal report, electrical records and follow-up evidence into a clear premises file.
Share the site, equipment and reason for the survey
Request an electrical thermal imaging survey
You do not need a finished asset schedule to enquire. Start with the information available and we can clarify the scope, timing and report required.
Information that helps us quote
- Company, site address and postcode, or a site list.
- Reason for the survey and any written specification.
- Approximate board and equipment types and quantities.
- Operating hours, likely load and access restrictions.
- Previous findings, report requirements and deadline.
Mention available reports or photographs in your enquiry. The office will confirm how to share the relevant files.
What affects thermal survey cost?
Asset quantity and complexity, safe access, operating windows, travel and report detail affect the quotation. Several sites, specialist requirements or return visits add scope.
We define the survey and outputs before proceeding. Investigation, repairs and post-repair re-checks are agreed separately where needed. Confirm the included assets, exclusions and VAT when comparing quotations.
For a home or residential letting enquiry, use the domestic quote route.