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Electrical Code Academy Announces Launch of Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program

Program Launch Announcement

Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program: Thermography Built Only for Electricians

A first-of-its-kind thermal imaging certification created specifically for electricians and electrical contractors.

Mineral, Virginia – November 14, 2025

Electrical Code Academy, Inc. has announced the launch of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program, a specialized online certification designed exclusively for electricians and electrical contractors who want to add professional thermal imaging to their service offerings.

Unlike generic thermography courses aimed at a broad audience of inspectors and maintenance personnel, the Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program is built from the ground up for licensed electricians, focusing on electrical systems, conductors, terminations, overcurrent devices, gear, and code-compliant corrective actions.

The full training and certification platform will be hosted at ThermalElectrician.com, scheduled to go live on January 1, 2026, with enrollment for the certification program opening now.

“Electricians have been largely ignored in the thermography training world,” said Paul Abernathy, developer of the program and long-time electrical educator. “Our Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential is purpose-built for the realities of the electrical trade—load conditions, conductor limitations, code compliance, and documented reporting that contractors can actually bill for.”

🔥 What the Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program Covers

The program is delivered entirely online and includes guided lessons, real-world exercises that students perform in the field or in controlled environments, and graded submissions for review. The focus is on practical, revenue-ready skills—not just theory.

Thermal Imaging Fundamentals for Electricians

  • How thermal cameras “see” heat vs. light
  • Understanding palettes, spot meters, and core camera features
  • Common pitfalls when scanning energized electrical equipment

Emissivity, Reflections & Surface Preparation

  • Why shiny metals can “lie” to your camera
  • Using labels, tape, and other methods to improve measurement accuracy
  • Practical emissivity strategies for lugs, bus bars, terminations, and insulation

Electrical System Applications

  • Scanning panelboards, switchboards, and switchgear
  • Feeders, branch circuits, busways, and terminations
  • Breakers, fuses, disconnects, contactors, and MCCs
  • Recognizing patterns for loose connections, imbalances, overloads, and deterioration

Codes, Standards & Best Practices

  • How thermal imaging supports programs aligned with NFPA 70B
  • Working in harmony with NFPA 70E electrical safety work practices
  • Understanding NEC® ampacity, conductor temperature limits, and insulation life

Load & Operating Conditions

  • Why load level matters (for example, ~40% and above where practical)
  • Documenting load and ambient conditions for defensible reports
  • Handling residential vs. commercial/industrial loading realities

Severity, ΔT & Prioritization

  • Interpreting temperature differences (ΔT) between phases and similar components
  • Assigning severity levels: monitor, planned maintenance, priority, urgent
  • Turning raw thermal data into actionable recommendations

Reporting, Documentation & Client Communication

  • Using standardized electrical thermal inspection report templates
  • Before/after comparisons, follow-up inspections, and trend documentation
  • Explaining findings to non-technical customers and justifying corrective work

Business & Revenue Opportunities

  • Packaging thermal imaging as a premium add-on service
  • Selling predictive maintenance and annual inspection plans
  • Standing out in RFPs, facility agreements, and service contracts
Students complete a series of online lessons and field or simulated exercises where they capture images, document findings, and submit reports for review and grading. Upon successful completion of the course and final assessment, participants earn the Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential.

⚡ Designed to Support Electrical Contractors & Maintenance Teams

The Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program is built for professionals who live and work in the electrical world every day:

  • Electrical contractors looking to add high-value diagnostic services
  • In-house electricians in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities
  • Service departments wanting standardized, documented thermal inspection workflows

The program includes downloadable forms and report frameworks that help contractors:

  • Present professional, branded thermal imaging reports to clients
  • Build repeatable inspection intervals and maintenance programs
  • Create clear paper trails that support recommendations, repairs, and future audits

🌡️ Program Availability

  • Website: ThermalElectrician.com
  • Program Status: Enrollment open now; full platform and program access launching January 1, 2026
  • Format: 100% online, self-paced course with graded exercises and a final evaluation

💡 About Electrical Code Academy, Inc.

Electrical Code Academy, Inc. is a leading provider of NEC®-based electrical education and exam preparation, delivering practical, real-world training for apprentices, journeyman electricians, master electricians, and electrical contractors across the United States. The Academy focuses on taking complex electrical and code concepts and making them understandable, applicable, and profitable in the field.

Media Contact:
Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program
Email: in**@*******************my.com
Website: https://ThermalElectrician.com

Paul Abernathy

CEO and Founder of Electrical Code Academy, Inc. A Virginia Corporation located in Mineral, Virginia

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