New Generation Fuse Boxes: How Should Thermal Camera Compatible Panels Be?

The vast majority of electrical fires stem from heat generated by loose connections and overloaded cables. In traditional maintenance methods, a heating fuse or terminal is noticed only when smoke starts to appear or the fuse blows. This is usually far too late.

Industrial facilities and modern housing projects are abandoning the "fix it when it breaks" logic. Instead, they are adopting predictive maintenance methods that detect failures before they occur. Thermal cameras are at the center of these methods. However, for a thermal camera to measure correctly, the fuse box must be designed accordingly. As we move toward 2026, panel control with thermal cameras is becoming a standard procedure.

The Thermal Invisibility Problem: Cable Clutter

When maintenance personnel look at a panel with a thermal camera, they must see the hotspot directly. The biggest problem in old-style or poorly assembled panels is the lack of cable organization. Piles of cables blocking fuse inputs hide the heating terminal from the camera.

The thermal camera needs to see the metal temperature at the conductor's connection point, not the cable's outer insulation. It is critical that cables run neatly inside "cable ducts" and that fuse connection points (terminal ends) are left exposed. New generation panels must have a large internal volume to provide this "visual accessibility."

The New Routine for Maintenance Teams: Temperature Analysis

2026 regulations will require periodic maintenance reports from businesses. The phrase "checked" will be insufficient in these reports. Temperature values of connection points will be requested.

Maintenance teams look for three main problems:

1. Loose Connection: If a screw is not tightened well, arcing occurs, and heat increases.

2. Phase Imbalance: If one phase is overloaded, the fuse connected to that line appears hotter than the others.

3. Corrosion: Oxidized contact surfaces increase resistance and generate heat.

How Should an Ideal "Thermal Compatible" Panel Be?

Makel fuse boxes and panel solutions meet these needs with their ease of assembly and safety-focused design. The following features are sought in an ideal panel:

Wide Internal Volume and Rail Spacing

There is no air circulation in narrow panels where cables are crammed. Heat gets trapped inside. Also, there is not enough angle to shoot with a thermal camera. Wide internal volume ensures natural cooling and offers a comfortable working space for the maintenance team.

Non-Reflective Surfaces and Material Quality

Thermal cameras can mistakenly perceive heat reflecting from shiny metal surfaces (e.g., the body heat of maintenance personnel) as a "hotspot." Busbars and fasteners used in panels being matte or insulated increase measurement accuracy. The heat-resistant plastic body materials used by Makel minimize fire risk.

Labeling and Traceability

When a heating fuse is detected in a thermal image, it must be immediately understood which room or machine that fuse feeds. New generation panels must have legible, indelible labeling areas next to each fuse.

2026 Maintenance Requirements and Panel Standards

The table below summarizes the differences between a standard panel and a modern panel suitable for thermal inspection.

If You See the Invisible, You Manage the Risk

Fire starts in seconds, but its preparation takes months. A loose screw heats up slowly over months and eventually catches fire. The human eye cannot see this process, but thermal cameras can.

For businesses and homeowners, choosing the right fuse box is not just an aesthetic choice. Maintainable, traceable, and large-volume Makel fuse boxes extend the life of the installation. Every facility preparing for 2026 standards must make its panels "visible." Remember, the cheapest maintenance is maintenance done before a failure occurs.