A thermal scan finds bad connections by the heat they give off, and a connection only gets hot when current is flowing through it. Scan a panel on a slow day and a loose lug can look normal. NFPA 70B guidance is commonly cited as calling for at least 40% of normal circuit load when full load isn’t possible. Before you book a scan, pick a time when the building is actually working and make sure the report records the load.
Why a quiet building gives a clean-looking report
Facility managers usually ask the same thing first: will the camera find what a walkthrough misses? It can, but only under the right conditions. A loose termination on a lightly loaded circuit barely warms up. The same lug at full production current can run well above the breakers next to it.
That’s why the scan happens with the building running. If the inspector shows up at 7 a.m. before the line starts, or on a Friday afternoon when half the rooftop units are idle, the images can look fine and the report can say “no anomalies” for a panel that has a real problem. A clean report from a light-load day isn’t proof of anything.
Northern Colorado loads shift with the season
Load in this area doesn’t stay flat through the year. A building in Greeley or Loveland may carry its heaviest electrical load in July when the cooling runs all afternoon, while a facility with electric heat peaks in January. Refrigeration, irrigation, and light manufacturing each have their own busy hours.
Pick the window when the equipment you care about is working hardest. For a restaurant that’s usually service. For a warehouse it’s mid-shift with the docks and chargers running. If the critical equipment only runs part of the year, ask whether the scan should be split into two visits.
What changed this year, and what didn’t
Colorado’s 2026 National Electrical Code took effect August 1, 2026, with projects submitted before that date allowed to continue under the 2023 edition. The new code doesn’t create a new requirement to do infrared surveys. It matters when a finding turns into a panel replacement or service upgrade, because that permit will be reviewed under the edition in effect when it’s submitted.
There’s also no rebate we’ve found that pays for the scan itself. Efficiency Works Business serves commercial customers of Fort Collins, Loveland, and Longmont with incentives for things like motors, controls, and refrigeration, but an inspection by itself isn’t listed as an eligible measure. If a finding leads to equipment replacement, ask about incentives before you order.
Mistakes we see with load and thermal scans
Booking the scan for convenience. Early morning and weekends are easy for scheduling and bad for results.
Accepting a report with no current readings. Every finding should show the measured current or load percentage. Without it, next year’s scan can’t be compared to this one.
Treating one scan as a permanent baseline. Thermal patterns are useful when they’re repeated under similar conditions. NFPA 70B summaries describe an annual scan as the baseline, with more frequent checks for equipment in poor condition.
Assuming a bright spot means danger. Heat shows a temperature difference, not the cause. The finding still needs a visual check and electrical measurements before anyone orders parts.
Frequently asked questions
Is a thermal scan worth doing if we haven’t noticed any problems?
Yes, that’s when it’s most useful. Loose and corroded connections heat up long before a breaker trips or a cover gets warm. Catching them under load lets you fix them during a planned shutdown instead of after a failure.
Do we need to shut down equipment for the inspection?
No. The scan needs the equipment running and carrying load. Shutdowns only come later, if a finding has to be repaired with the power off, and those can be scheduled after hours.
What conditions make the scan accurate?
Real operating load is the big one. The inspector should also note ambient temperature, open covers where it’s safe to do so, and record current at each finding so the results can be compared over time.
What we do about it
Three Crowns Electric runs thermal imaging inspections on commercial panels, switchgear, and distribution equipment across Northern Colorado. We schedule the scan around your load, record current at each finding, and rank everything by severity. Because we’re the electrical contractor, the same team can make the repairs and re-scan them. A typical small-to-mid facility with 12 subpanels and two mains runs about $2,100 flat; more panels, extra buildings, or after-hours work move that up. Work is done by salaried technicians under Master Electrician Jon Trujillo, carries a 2-year warranty, and sits behind 518 five-star Google reviews. See our commercial thermal imaging service or call (970) 645-3114.
