I keep seeing 480V MCC nuisance trips traced to loose lugs and clogged VFD cooling filters; a five‑minute thermal scan and re‑torque to spec (e.g., 45 in‑lb on 12 AWG) during pre‑tour has reduced surprise shutdowns and shaved a few kW off the base load. Anyone running a rugged IR camera under $700 that survives salt mist, or willing to share a solid pre‑tour electrical checklist?
I’ve been running a FLIR TG267 offshore — IP54, takes salt mist fine with a silicone boot and a fresh-water wipe; still kicking after two winters and usually under $600: FLIR TG267 - Discontinued | Flir. After you re‑torque, dab torque‑seal as a “witness mark” on each lug so creep shows up next pre‑tour; just mind OEM specs since a few buckets call for different inch‑pounds.
After your five‑minute thermal scan, I re‑torque to spec (45 in‑lb on 12 AWG) and swipe a dot of Dykem Cross‑Check on each lug; next tour it’s obvious if anything walked. It’s a $8–$10 tube and holds up in salt mist, but on aluminum lugs cold flow can fool the mark — still put a wrench on those quarterly. https://www.dykem.com/products/inspection-markers/cross-check.
Been happy with the Seek ShotPRO — under $700 and it’s handled the offshore air; toss a cheap screen protector on it and you’re set: https://www.thermal.com/shotpro.html, though the battery sags in the cold. I also add a quick tug test on MCC bucket levers and put a small silver Sharpie witness mark on the guide; if it’s shifted next tour, the bucket was creeping and that’s a ‘heat maker’ waiting to trip.
Quick add to your ‘five‑minute scan’: pinch-check control fuse clips and MCC bucket stab springs — if the fuse wiggles, swap the clip; heat shows there last and causes ghost trips. I also hit aluminum terminations with a thin smear of Noalox after verifying spec torque (your 45 in‑lb on 12 AWG), which cut our 480V nuisance trips a lot. If you want budget IR, HIKMICRO Pocket2 stays under $600, but the touchscreen’s annoying with gloves.