In most commercial and industrial buildings, electrical installations are considered functional as long as the lights come on, equipment starts up, and business is running normally. However, the reality is different.
Many of the defects that cause fires, production shutdowns, or critical equipment failure are not visible to the naked eye and cannot be identified in daily operation. That is why PRAM checks and thermographic inspections are two of the most important prevention activities for any building.
What are PRAM measurements and why are they important?
PRAM stands for the verification of protective earthing installations and the continuity of protective conductors. The purpose of these checks is simple: in the event of an electrical fault, the current must be safely discharged, without endangering people, equipment or the building. In the absence of functional earthing sockets, the following can occur:
- electrocutions;
- equipment failure;
- uncontrolled triggering;
- fires caused by electrical faults;
- damage to IT infrastructure and sensitive equipment.
Are PRAM measurements mandatory?
Yes. Electrical installations must be checked periodically in accordance with applicable technical regulations and obligations regarding the safe operation of electrical installations. During inspections carried out by the authorities, documents attesting to the verification of electrical installations and earthing are frequently requested. Their absence may raise questions regarding the operation and maintenance of the installations.
The invisible problem: heating of electrical connections
Not all electrical faults cause an immediate failure. Many start with a slow, progressive heating of the connections. The most common causes are:
- loose terminals;
- oxidized contacts;
- overloads;
- phase imbalances;
- faulty equipment;
- aging of components.
These problems can exist for months or even years before causing a major failure.
How does thermal imaging help?
Thermographic inspection allows the identification of hot spots in electrical installations without stopping the activity and without invasive interventions. With the help of a thermographic camera, you can quickly identify:
- overheated connections;
- imperfect contacts;
- faulty fuses;
- overloaded circuit breakers;
- imbalances between phases;
- equipment at risk of failure.
Basically, thermal imaging allows the discovery of problems before they cause damage or fires.
A frequently encountered scenario
A main electrical panel appears to be operating normally. There are no power outages. There are no complaints from staff. A thermographic inspection shows that one of the main connections is operating at a much higher temperature than the others. Upon inspection, a loose connection is found. The problem is fixed within minutes. Without this inspection, the defect could have progressed to damage the equipment, stoppage of activity or even a fire.
Who should perform these checks?
It is recommended that periodic checks be carried out for:
- office buildings;
- hotels;
- shopping centers;
- industrial halls;
- medical facilities;
- logistics warehouses;
- public institutions;
- data centers and IT spaces.
The more demanding the facilities are and the more critical the activity, the greater the importance of preventive checks.
What benefits do periodic checks offer?
Organizations that regularly perform PRAM measurements and thermographic inspections benefit from:
- reducing the risk of fire;
- identifying defects before damage occurs;
- increasing personnel safety;
- protecting critical equipment;
- reducing maintenance costs;
- updated technical documentation;
- compliance with legal and technical obligations.
How GreenSoft can help you
GreenSoft performs PRAM measurements and thermographic inspections for commercial buildings, hotels, industrial facilities and critical infrastructure. During our assessments, we quickly identify hidden defects in electrical installations and provide detailed reports on their condition.
For many organizations, an overheated connection or a faulty grounding plug is an invisible risk. The problem is that these defects only become visible after a fault occurs. Preventive checks are always less expensive than the consequences of an electrical incident.
Do you know when your building was last PRAM measured and last thermographic inspected? If the answer is unclear, it's probably time for a checkup.
