Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program — Standards Equivalency & Alignment Statement
Issued by: Electrical Code Academy, Inc.
Program Owner: Certified Thermal Electrician™
Founder & Instructor: Paul Abernathy, CMECP®, Master Electrician, NEC® Code Expert, Member of NFPA CMP-5 and CMP-17
Program Website: ThermalElectrician.com
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- Purpose of this Statement
This statement documents the equivalency of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ (CTE) program to recognized Level I Infrared Thermography certification standards. It outlines the alignment of course competencies, learning outcomes, and qualification criteria with NFPA 70B, NFPA 70E, ASNT SNT-TC-1A, and ISO 18436-7, demonstrating that graduates of the CTE program meet or exceed the knowledge and performance requirements expected of a “Level I Thermographer” for electrical inspection applications.
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- Governing Reference Standards
The CTE Program content and certification procedures are aligned with the following national and international standards and recommended practices:
Standard Scope of Relevance CTE Program Alignment
NFPA 70B (2023), Section 11.17 – Thermographic Inspections Defines requirements for qualified persons performing electrical thermal inspections and interpreting results. CTE graduates are trained and assessed as qualified persons per NFPA 70B § 3.3.24 and § 11.17.2, capable of performing thermographic inspections in accordance with § 11.17.4 – § 11.17.7.
NFPA 70E (2024), Article 100 – Qualified Person Defines a qualified person as one who has demonstrated skills and knowledge related to the construction and operation of electrical equipment and installations and has received safety training to identify and avoid hazards. CTE participants are licensed or experienced electrical professionals who receive additional training in thermal diagnostics, hazard identification, and safe infrared inspection methods.
ASNT SNT-TC-1A (2020 Edition) – Recommended Practice for Personnel Qualification and Certification in Nondestructive Testing Establishes Level I, II, III competency frameworks for infrared thermography. CTE curriculum and assessments meet and exceed the knowledge and practical requirements for Level I Infrared Thermography with specialization in electrical power systems.
ISO 18436-7 (Condition Monitoring and Diagnostics – Infrared Thermography) Specifies training, qualification, and assessment of thermography personnel. CTE learning objectives and evaluations align with ISO 18436-7 Level I learning outcomes, customized to the electrical environment.
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- Curriculum and Competency Alignment
Competency Area ASNT/ISO Level I Requirement Certified Thermal Electrician™ Coverage
Infrared Theory & Heat Transfer Fundamentals of radiation, conduction, convection Covered in Module 1 with applied examples of conductor heating, contact resistance, and load imbalance.
Camera Operation & Calibration Focus, range, span, emissivity, reflected temperature Covered in Module 2 with lab exercises using electrical components of varying emissivity.
Emissivity & Reflection Adjustment Measurement techniques and compensation Covered in Module 3 – Electrical Metals and Surface Treatments (copper, aluminum, zinc-coated terminations).
Safety Practices Safe work procedures, PPE, hazard recognition Covered in Module 4 – NFPA 70E/NEC integration; students apply approach boundaries and PPE selection.
Data Acquisition & Image Quality Correct data capture and annotation Practiced through on-site and simulated lab assignments.
Data Interpretation & Analysis Identify anomalies and thermal patterns Module 5 – Interpreting Electrical Defects: loose lugs, phase imbalance, overloaded conductors.
Reporting & Documentation Proper format and content of inspection reports Module 6 – Pre/Post inspection reporting per NFPA 70B § 11.17.6 – § 11.17.7.
Electrical Code Integration Not required under ASNT; optional in ISO CTE adds in-depth coverage of NEC 110.14(C), 310.16, 240.4(D), 408.3, and temperature limits of conductors and terminals.
Practical Demonstration Hands-on performance Required submission of thermal inspection images and analysis for certification approval.
Assessment & Certification Written and practical exams Online proctored exam + image submission; serial-numbered digital certificate issued upon completion.
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- Qualified Instructor Credentials
All Certified Thermal Electrician™ courses are developed and instructed by Paul Abernathy, a nationally recognized electrical code educator, Master Electrician, and technical committee member for the National Electrical Code® (NFPA 70).
Mr. Abernathy’s credentials, teaching history, and subject-matter expertise in both electrical systems and thermography establish the program’s instructor qualification equivalency to ASNT Level III or higher within the specialized domain of electrical thermography.
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- Certification Scope and Designation
Graduates of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ Program are authorized to perform and document electrical thermal inspections on:
Panelboards, switchgear, and MCCs
Transformers, busbars, and terminations
Conductors, cables, and breakers under load
and are recognized as Qualified Persons for thermographic inspection of electrical equipment in accordance with NFPA 70B § 11.17 and NFPA 70E Article 100.
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- Conclusion
The Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential is a specialized professional qualification that:
Meets or exceeds the competencies of a Level I Infrared Thermographer under ASNT SNT-TC-1A and ISO 18436-7;
Fully satisfies the “qualified person” definition under NFPA 70B and NFPA 70E;
Provides a code-based, electrician-specific framework absent from conventional thermography certifications.
Accordingly, holders of the Certified Thermal Electrician™ credential are recognized as qualified to perform thermal electrical inspections in compliance with the latest NFPA and industry standards.
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Authorized by:
Electrical Code Academy, Inc.
Paul Abernathy – CEO & Founder
Master Electrician | CMECP® | Certified Thermal Electrician
NFPA CMP-5 & CMP-17 Member
📍Mineral, Virginia USA
