Circuit Breaker Thermal Scan

Circuit Breaker

Loose wire termination or increased resistance at the breaker connection. Possible overload or backfeed condition from shared neutral or faulty device downstream.

• Circuit behavior issues (e.g., fan turns on when light turns off). • Intermittent or reversed function from connected loads. • Audible hum, mild buzzing, or light flicker in affected circuit. • No visual signs externally, but FLIR indicates temperature anomaly.

Visible hot spot at approximately 29.5°C (85.1°C), noticeably warmer than adjacent breakers. Localized thermal bloom indicates concentrated heating, likely at the breaker terminal or lug.

• De-energize panel and check for loose terminal screw on the identified breaker. • Verify load on the circuit, inspect for shared neutrals or recent changes in wiring. • Swap the breaker with an adjacent one and retest (if allowed by breaker style). • Inspect connected switch and fan/light wiring for improper routing.

Tighten breaker lug (with power off). • Replace breaker if terminal is scorched, discolored, or suspect. • Replace light/fan switch to eliminate internal contact failure. • Check neutral path and confirm circuit separation if needed. • Monitor with FLIR after repair to confirm resolution (expect 25°C under normal load).