Which instrument is commonly used to check the temperature of electrical equipment?

The commonly used instrument to check the temperature of electrical equipment is a thermal imaging camera. This device allows for non-contact temperature measurements, providing a visual representation of temperature variations across the surface of equipment. Through thermal imaging, hot spots or cold spots can be identified quickly, which is crucial for preventive maintenance in electrical systems.

Thermal imaging cameras are especially valuable in identifying issues such as overheating components, which could indicate potential failures or unsafe operating conditions. Their ability to capture a wide area of equipment at once also makes them efficient in assessing the operational status of multiple components in a system without needing direct contact, which could be unsafe in certain electrical environments.

While other instruments like thermocouples and infrared thermometers are indeed used for measuring temperature, they do so in a more localized manner and do not offer the same breadth of information as thermal imaging cameras. A digital multimeter typically measures voltage, current, and resistance, but not temperature directly.