🟨 Comparison Chart: Certified Thermal Electrician™ vs. Traditional Thermography Courses
Certified Thermal Electricianâ„¢ vs. Traditional Thermography Courses
This comparison chart highlights why the Certified Thermal Electricianâ„¢ Program from Electrical Code Academy, Inc. is the most focused and relevant thermal imaging certification for electricians and electrical contractors.
| Feature / Requirement | Certified Thermal Electricianâ„¢ (Electrical Code Academy, Inc.) | FLIR ITC / Snell / Infrared Training Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Designed specifically for electricians | ✔ YES — 100% electrical industry focused | ✘ No — generic thermography for all industries |
| NEC-based thermal requirements | ✔ Includes NEC 110.14(C), 240, 250, 310, 408, 410, 430, 700, etc. | ✘ Not covered — no NEC instruction |
| NFPA 70B electrical maintenance integration | ✔ Fully aligned with NFPA 70B requirements | ⚠Limited or general coverage only |
| Electrical failure modes | ✔ Load issues, torque, insulation types, emissivity, terminations | ⚠Mostly mechanical & building envelope examples |
| Real electrical field scenarios | ✔ Panels, breakers, lugs, feeders, transformers | ✘ Not electrical-specific |
| Report templates | ✔ Custom electrical thermography templates | ✘ Generic templates for all industries |
| Field exercises | ✔ Real electrical inspections performed by student | ⚠Basic exercises, not electrical-specific |
| Instructor expertise | ✔ Taught by Paul Abernathy — NEC Code Panel Member | ✘ Instructors are thermographers, not NEC experts |
| Accreditation required? | ✔ No accreditation required — industry standard | ✔ Also not accredited — same rules apply |
| Certification title | Certified Thermal Electricianâ„¢ (exclusive) | Thermography Level I, II, III (generic) |
| Course format | ✔ Online training + field assignments | ⚠Mostly in-person classroom training |
| Best for | Electricians, contractors, inspectors, engineers | General thermographers across many industries |
| Price | ✔ Much lower while specialized | $1,900–$2,800 typical |
Why Electricians Prefer Certified Thermal Electricianâ„¢
- Built specifically for the electrical trade — not generic thermography.
- Includes NEC requirements, NFPA 70B, and electrical maintenance standards.
- Created by Paul Abernathy, one of the most trusted electrical educators in the United States.
- Real-world electrical examples, not HVAC or roofing demonstrations.
- Your certification carries real weight in the electrical industry.
Learn more or enroll today at https://ThermalElectrician.com.
