Quick Win: Infrared Window Installation

Quick Win #5: Low Cost, High Return, Easy to Implement

Quick Win: Infrared Windows

Small change. Massive savings.

Pain Point: Electrical inspections are critical for catching hot spots, loose connections, and overloaded circuits but traditional infrared (IR) scans require panel removal, exposing technicians to live power hazards and creating downtime.

• Removing covers violates safety barriers and often needs extra personnel for arc-flash watch.

• Many facilities skip or delay IR inspections due to these safety and time constraints.

• As a result, incipient electrical failures go undetected until catastrophic failure or fire.

Enhancing electrical panel safety, infrared window installations allow for safer, faster inspections without exposing personnel to live equipment, cutting inspection time by 60-80% and improving early fault detection.

Solution: Install infrared (IR) windows on key electrical panels, MCCs, and switchgear to allow non-intrusive thermal inspections.

1. Identify panels with high load or criticality (MCCs, main disconnects, drives, etc.).

2. Choose UL-listed IR windows (polymer or crystal lens).

3. Mount windows over bus bars or breaker connections.

4. Label each window with panel ID and inspection points.

5. Schedule routine IR scans without removing covers — zero exposure risk.

This allows predictive maintenance teams to detect loose lugs, phase imbalance, and overloads in seconds, with no PPE or shutdown required.

Impact: Eliminates need for open-panel inspections (improves safety by 100%)

• Reduces inspection time by 60–80%

• Enables early fault detection of electrical hot spots

• Typical ROI: 1 - 2 inspections per window

• Extends switchgear and breaker life, prevents fire hazards

  
  

A $250 IR window can save thousands in downtime and arc-flash risk; a true safety meets reliability win.

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