Chermside · Motel
Cracked busbar
An inspection found visible cracking in the main busbar. The board was replaced before it failed, and the site now has circuit breakers, safety switches and upgraded earthing.
Thermal Imaging Switchboard Inspections Brisbane
Find hot spots, loose connections and overloaded circuits before they fail, with non-invasive infrared scans and a clear written report.
Most switchboard failures give off heat long before they spark, trip or catch fire. A thermal imaging camera shows that heat as colour, so our electricians can pinpoint failing connections, overloaded breakers and unbalanced phases while everything stays switched on. Most scans need no shutdown at all. It takes a specialist, high-cost thermal camera and certified training to do this properly, so always ask your electrician to show their licence and certification.
Mostscans need no shutdown
12 mthssuggested for body corporate boards
Reportphotos, readings & actions
- Body corporate & commercial
- Homes & pre-purchase checks
- Insurance-ready reports
- Lifetime workmanship guarantee
Lifetime GuaranteeON ALL WORKMANSHIP
Book a thermal imaging scan
Tell us about your site and the boards you want scanned, and we will give you a fixed price and a time that suits your operations.
- Industrial and manufacturing sites
- Commercial buildings and retail
- Body corporate main switchboards
- Insurance and maintenance programs
What thermal imaging finds that your eyes can't
See the heatEvery electrical connection has a little resistance. When a connection loosens, corrodes or is overloaded, that resistance rises and the connection heats up. It keeps getting hotter until insulation melts, a breaker fails or a fire starts. A switchboard can look perfectly normal while this is happening behind the cover.
Thermal imaging lets us see temperature differences across the board while it is working under normal load. Problems that would take hours to find by hand, or would not be found at all, show up in seconds.
- Loose or corroded connectionsThe most common cause of switchboard hot spots and failures.
- Overloaded circuitsCables and breakers running hotter than their rating allows.
- Failing breakers & isolatorsInternal faults that only show up as heat.
- Unbalanced phasesOne phase working much harder than the others in three-phase boards.
Reading a thermal image
Cool colours are normal. Bright yellow and white areas stand out because they are running hotter than the components around them.
NormalWarmInvestigateUrgent
We compare like with like, such as one phase against another or one breaker against its neighbours, and record the temperature difference. That difference, not just the colour, decides how urgent a repair is.
- Small rise: monitor and re-check at the next scan
- Moderate rise: schedule a repair
- Large rise: repair as soon as possible to avoid failure
What causes a hot spot?
Loose terminations
Connections loosen over years of heating and cooling cycles and vibration.
Corrosion
Moisture and coastal air corrode terminals and busbars, raising resistance.
Overloading
New air conditioners, EV chargers and kitchen appliances push old circuits past their limits.
Worn breakers
Ageing protective devices develop internal faults and run hot.
Phase imbalance
Uneven load across three phases overheats one side of the board.
Damaged busbars
Cracked or deteriorated busbars, like the one we found at a Chermside motel, are a serious risk.
Poor workmanship
Undersized cables and poorly made joints from previous work.
Degraded insulation
Heat-damaged insulation is often the last warning before a fault.
Who should book a thermal inspection?
Body corporate & commercial
Main switchboards & distribution boards
- Unit complexes, high-rises and townhouse sites
- Shops, offices, warehouses and motels
- Sites with lifts, pumps, plant and common-area lighting
- Committees preparing maintenance or sinking fund plans
Homes
Peace of mind at home
- Older homes with original switchboards
- Before adding solar, a battery or an EV charger
- Buying a property and want to know what you are getting
- Breakers that feel warm or smell hot
| Property type | Suggested scan frequency | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Body corporate main switchboards | Every 12 months | Shared infrastructure and many residents affected by an outage |
| Commercial & industrial | Every 12 months, or as your insurer requires | Continuous loads, plant equipment and business continuity |
| Insurance or audit requirement | At least every 24 months | Many insurers and auditors expect periodic inspection records |
| Homes | When buying, renovating or adding major loads | Confirms the board can safely handle what you plan to add |
Standards & your thermal report
AS/NZS 3000:2018
The Wiring Rules
Defects found are assessed against the Wiring Rules, so recommendations are based on the standard, not opinion.
AS/NZS 3019
Periodic verification
The standard for periodically inspecting existing electrical installations. Thermal imaging adds evidence to a visual inspection.
AS/NZS 61439
Switchboard assemblies
Covers how switchboards are built and rated, and is relevant when a board needs repairs or replacement.
INSURANCE
Evidence for insurers
Dated reports help show that maintenance is being carried out, which insurers and auditors increasingly ask for.
- Scan under loadBoards are scanned during normal operation, when problems are most visible.
- Thermal + visual photosEach finding is shown side by side with a normal photo.
- Readings & ratingsTemperature differences are recorded and each issue is rated by urgency.
- Clear recommendationsPlain-English actions for each issue, plus a fixed-price quote for repairs.
Problems we've found before they failed
St Lucia · Unit block
Compliance gaps exposed
An inspection revealed no capacity, meters on non-fire-rated material, no safety switch on community lights and faded labels. All were fixed in the upgrade.
Toowong · 23 units
Hidden asbestos
The first inspection uncovered asbestos in the old switchboard. It was safely removed before a custom board was installed to AS3000:2018.
Yes, very impressed with their level of service. … I would recommend them to anyone needing electrical work completed.
★★★★★Gary Finke, Google review
Fully Wired continue to provide me prompt service from competent and courteous tradesmen- no hassles.
★★★★★Ross Thompson, Google review
Thermal imaging electricians near you
Thermal imaging FAQs
Does the power need to be turned off?
In most cases, no. Thermal scans are done with the switchboard live and under normal load, which is when heat-related faults show up. For some larger commercial switchboards, the power may need to be turned off for the safety of our technician and the building. We will let you know beforehand if your site needs this.
Can any electrician do thermal imaging?
No. Thermal imaging needs a specialist, high-cost thermal camera and specialist certification to inspect switchboards and write the report properly. Always ask your electrician to show a licence and certification that prove they have the expertise.
How long does a thermal inspection take?
A home switchboard takes a short visit. Larger body corporate and commercial sites depend on the number of boards. We give you a fixed price and timeframe upfront.
What do I get at the end?
A written report with thermal and normal photos, temperature readings, an urgency rating for each issue and recommended actions, plus a quote for any repairs.
Is thermal imaging a legal requirement?
It is not specifically mandated for most properties, but regular switchboard inspection is good practice. Many insurers and auditors expect evidence of periodic maintenance, and thermal imaging is one of the best ways to provide it.
Can thermal imaging find every fault?
It finds heat-related problems very well. It is not a replacement for testing safety switches, earthing and insulation, which is why we combine it with a visual inspection and testing where needed.
Can you fix what you find?
Yes. Our electricians can tighten, repair or replace components, or quote a switchboard upgrade where the board is beyond repair.
Related services
Catch the problem before it becomes an outage. Book a thermal scan.
Call 1300 385 599 (Mon to Fri, 8:00am to 4:30pm) or book online. Tell us how many switchboards are on site and we will give you a fixed price for the scan and report.
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Why Brisbanites Choose Us
Whether it be installing lights in a home or fitting out a new office, we pride ourselves in exceeding our customers' expectations.
