When does a facility need load-bank testing, infrared scanning, or NETA electrical testing?
Three specialized electrical testing services — load-bank testing, infrared thermography, and NETA acceptance or maintenance testing — form the foundation of electrical reliability programs for critical facilities. Understanding when each is needed, and who performs them, helps facility managers build an effective maintenance strategy.
Load-bank testing: verifying generator and UPS performance
A load bank is a portable device that simulates an electrical load — used to test generators and UPS systems under controlled conditions. Load-bank testing verifies that a generator can sustain its rated output for an extended period (typically 2–4 hours at full load, per NFPA 110), that it transitions properly from light load to full load, and that all protection systems operate correctly. Load-bank testing should be performed: at initial commissioning, annually as part of a preventive maintenance program, after any major repair or modification to the generator or UPS system, and whenever the facility's IT load has increased significantly.
Infrared thermography: finding problems before they cause failures
Infrared (IR) thermography uses a thermal camera to identify hot spots in electrical connections, breakers, and distribution equipment — heat that indicates a loose connection, overloaded circuit, or failing component. IR scanning should be performed annually for critical facilities, with the facility under its normal operating load so that thermal anomalies are visible. After an IR scan, a qualified thermographer produces a report ranking findings by severity and recommending repair timelines. Insurance carriers increasingly require annual IR scanning for large electrical systems.
NETA testing: systematic electrical system verification
NETA (InterNational Electrical Testing Association) defines standards for acceptance testing (new equipment before initial energization) and maintenance testing (periodic verification of in-service equipment). NETA testing includes: insulation resistance testing, power factor/dielectric absorption testing, circuit breaker timing tests, protective relay calibration, ground resistance testing, and transformer turns ratio testing. NETA ATS (Acceptance Testing Specifications) and MTS (Maintenance Testing Specifications) define the tests and acceptance criteria for each equipment type. For critical facilities, NETA-qualified contractors and test technicians are the standard for this work.
How to sequence these tests
For a new critical facility: NETA acceptance testing before initial energization, load-bank testing during commissioning, and IR scanning at full IT load before go-live. For ongoing operations: annual IR scanning during peak load periods, annual load-bank testing per NFPA 110, and NETA maintenance testing per manufacturer recommendations (typically every 3–5 years for most equipment types). Your facility's maintenance contractor should be able to provide a testing calendar that covers all three.
Published · ElectriScout Editorial