Step-by-Step: NFPA 70E + NFPA 70B Compliance for Electrical Thermography
A practical, repeatable workflow for the most common electrical thermography tasks—built around NFPA 70E risk control (shock + arc-flash exposure management) and NFPA 70B maintenance program discipline (baseline, trending, documentation, corrective action, verification).
🔥 The Big Idea (What These Standards Really Demand)
⚡ The Step-by-Step Workflow (70E + 70B Aligned)
Define the task and confirm it’s diagnostic (inspection-only scope)
Confirm the job is thermography/condition monitoring only—no torqueing, no re-landing, no “quick fixes.” Identify what will be opened: nothing, outer door only, or deadfront/compartment exposure.
Risk changes dramatically from “doors closed” ➜ “doors open” ➜ “exposed energized parts.” Your method drives boundaries and protection.
Gather inputs: label/study, equipment details, and a valid load condition
Collect equipment ID/location, voltage class, equipment type, and arc-flash labeling or incident-energy results. Confirm inspection will occur under a meaningful load so results are technically valid for trending.
This is baseline/trending data. If you can’t repeat the conditions, you can’t trend anomalies reliably.
Perform a 70E risk assessment + job briefing (shock + arc-flash)
Identify shock hazard (exposed parts or potential exposure) and arc-flash hazard (label/study). Establish the control plan: who is exposed, how you will limit exposure, and what engineering controls you can use (like IR windows).
A documented plan/checklist that ties the work method to boundary control and PPE selection.
Select protection correctly—based on the work condition, not guesses
Use the arc-flash label/study for arc-flash boundary and arc-rated PPE requirements. If energized parts can be exposed, apply shock boundary discipline and shock protection strategy based on your program and task proximity.
IR windows / doors closed (lowest exposure) ➜ outer door open, deadfront intact ➜ deadfront removed / exposed parts (highest exposure).
Set boundaries and control the area (70E discipline)
Establish and enforce arc-flash boundary using label/study; establish limited approach boundary controls when exposure is possible; keep unqualified persons out. Use barricades/signage as needed.
No one “hangs out” while doors are open on energized gear. Control access like a professional operation.
Execute the scan using a repeatable CTE scan path
Scan systematically: mains, feeders, neutrals, grounds, splices, large terminations, and heat-producing components (drives/transformers). Capture thermal + visual pairs. Document distance, angle, ambient, and emissivity method/limitations.
Look for phase-to-phase differences, abnormal delta-T at terminations, and patterns that indicate imbalance, overload, harmonics, or contact wear.
Translate images into maintenance actions (70B output, not “hot/not hot”)
Classify severity (monitor / schedule / urgent), identify likely failure mode (loose termination, imbalance, overload, harmonics, contact degradation), and recommend verification/correction steps—preferably performed in an electrically safe work condition.
A defensible recommendation with a closeout plan and timing (including post-repair verification scan).
Close the loop: corrective action + verification scan + trending update
After repairs, perform a verification rescan under comparable load. Update baseline/trending records and mark each finding as open/in progress/closed. This is what makes thermography a maintenance program—not a one-off photo session.
“Before and after” images under comparable load are gold for reliability programs and for defensible documentation.
🛡️ Protection Selection (The Correct Way)
🏭 Common Thermography Tasks (Targets + Best Method)
Task 1: 120/240V & 208Y/120V Panelboards
Task 2: 480V Distribution Panels / Switchboards
Task 3: Motor Control Centers (MCCs)
Task 4: Low-Voltage Switchgear
Task 5: Medium-Voltage Metal-Clad Switchgear (as authorized)
Task 6: VFDs / Drives / UPS Systems
📈 NFPA 70B Output: What to Document Every Time
🚀 Become a Certified Thermal Electrician™
If you want thermography that is safer, more defensible, and aligned with NFPA 70E risk control and NFPA 70B maintenance programs, get trained at ThermalElectrician.com.
Educational note: This content is provided for informational and training purposes. Always follow the employer/facility electrical safety program, equipment labeling, incident-energy study results, and applicable procedures. Ensure work is performed by qualified persons using appropriate controls and PPE.
