How to Find Data Centre Hot Spots with a Thermal Camera Malaysia
How to Find Data Centre Hot Spots with a Thermal Camera Malaysia
Content
A hot spot inside a data centre may indicate an airflow problem, overloaded electrical connection, failing component or uneven IT load.
Thermal imaging allows technicians to scan a large area quickly and compare temperature patterns without touching live or operating equipment.
However, a thermal camera does not automatically identify the root cause. Reliable inspection requires a consistent route, correct camera settings and supporting measurements such as air temperature, electrical current and airflow.
What Is a Data Centre Hot Spot?
A hot spot is an area or component operating at a higher temperature than expected for its condition and load.
It may be found in:
Server racks
Rack power distribution units
Electrical panels
Circuit breakers
Cable connections
UPS systems
Battery terminals
Network switches
Cooling pumps
Fan motors
Air-conditioning equipment
Not every warm component is faulty. Some equipment normally operates hotter because of its design or load.
The most useful comparison is often between similar components operating under similar conditions.
What a Thermal Camera Measures
A thermal camera detects infrared radiation emitted and reflected by a surface.
It produces a temperature image showing relative temperature differences.
Thermal cameras primarily measure surface temperature. They do not directly measure:
Air temperature
Internal component temperature
Electrical current
Airflow
Equipment loading
Contact resistance
Supporting measurements may be required to explain the thermal pattern.
Where to Begin the Inspection
Before entering the data hall, review:
Current alarms
Previous thermal images
Rack layout
IT load
Cooling-unit status
Recent maintenance
Reported hot spots
Electrical loading
Known airflow problems
This helps focus the inspection while maintaining a consistent survey route.
1. Inspect Server Rack Inlets
Scan the front of each rack from bottom to top.
Look for:
One rack warmer than neighbouring racks
Higher temperature near the top
Uneven cooling across the rack
Warm areas beside empty rack spaces
Hot air entering the cold aisle
Localised temperature differences
A warmer upper rack inlet may indicate hot-air recirculation, insufficient airflow or high-density equipment.
Confirm the finding using an air-temperature meter or data logger at the rack inlet.
2. Inspect the Rack Exhaust
Scan the rear or hot-aisle side of the rack.
A warm exhaust is expected because IT equipment releases heat.
Investigate when:
One server produces significantly more heat than similar units
A rack exhaust pattern is uneven
Hot air escapes into the cold aisle
Containment panels show leakage
One area remains unusually cool despite high IT load
A cool exhaust area can also indicate low equipment load, blocked internal airflow or an inactive server.
3. Check Blanking Panels and Empty Spaces
Missing blanking panels allow hot exhaust air to recirculate through unused rack spaces.
Thermal imaging may show:
Warm air entering the front of the rack
Higher inlet temperature near an empty slot
Temperature differences above and below the opening
Install suitable blanking panels and repeat the inspection to confirm improvement.
4. Inspect Hot- and Cold-Aisle Containment
Check:
Containment doors
Roof panels
End panels
Gaps around racks
Openings for cables
Unsealed floor penetrations
Thermal patterns may reveal warm air leaking into a contained cold aisle or cold air escaping into the hot aisle.
Pressure and airflow measurements should be used to confirm the airflow direction.
5. Scan Raised Floors and Air Outlets
A thermal camera may help compare:
Perforated floor tiles
Supply-air grilles
Cold-air distribution
Areas with weak cooling
Unexpected air leakage
The camera may show temperature differences but cannot provide the actual airflow volume.
Use an anemometer or airflow instrument for quantitative testing.
6. Inspect Rack Power Distribution Units
Rack PDUs should be inspected for:
Unusually hot outlets
Warm plugs
Overheated cable connections
Uneven loading
Hot sections compared with similar units
Temperature should be interpreted with electrical load.
A highly loaded but correctly operating circuit may be warmer than a lightly loaded circuit. An abnormal temperature difference at a similar load requires further investigation.
7. Inspect Electrical Panels
Electrical thermal inspection may identify:
Loose connections
Overloaded breakers
Phase imbalance
Hot terminals
Damaged components
Poor contact
Abnormal fuse temperature
The inspection should be performed by competent personnel under the appropriate electrical-safety procedure.
Do not open or remove electrical covers unless authorised and properly trained.
8. Compare the Three Phases
In a three-phase system, compare components serving similar loads.
An unusual temperature difference may indicate:
Current imbalance
Loose connection
Overloading
Poor contact
Component deterioration
Confirm the condition using suitable electrical instruments.
A thermal camera shows the result of heating; it does not measure current directly.
9. Inspect UPS Equipment
Useful inspection areas include:
Input and output terminals
Bypass connections
Power modules
Ventilation openings
Cooling fans
Internal components accessible under authorised procedures
Compare identical modules under similar load.
One module operating significantly hotter than the others may require further inspection.
10. Inspect Battery Systems
Thermal imaging can support battery inspection by identifying:
Hot terminals
Loose interconnections
Uneven cell or module temperature
Cooling problems
Localised heating
Battery systems involve electrical, chemical and fire risks. Thermal imaging should be part of a broader maintenance programme that follows the battery manufacturer’s requirements.
11. Inspect Cooling Pumps
Check:
Motor body
Bearings
Coupling area
Pump casing
Seal area
Pipe temperature
Abnormal heat may be associated with:
Bearing wear
Misalignment
Poor lubrication
Overload
Cavitation
Restricted flow
Seal problems
Combine thermal imaging with vibration, current, pressure and flow measurements.
12. Inspect Fans and Air-Conditioning Equipment
Scan:
Fan motors
Bearings
Belts
Electrical connections
Cooling coils
Compressor areas
Refrigerant or chilled-water piping
Filters and air paths
A thermal pattern may help locate uneven cooling, blocked airflow or overheating, but it should be confirmed using appropriate HVAC measurements.
Establish a Normal Reference
Thermal inspection is more valuable when current images can be compared with:
Previous inspections
Identical equipment
Similar electrical loads
Manufacturer information
Known healthy operation
Measurements taken after maintenance
Save images with clear filenames and asset identification.
Record Equipment Load
Temperature changes with load.
For electrical equipment, record:
Current
Voltage
Load percentage
Phase values
Operating condition
For server racks, record:
IT load
Active servers
Rack density
Cooling status
A temperature comparison without load information may be misleading.
Understand Emissivity
Emissivity describes how effectively a surface emits infrared energy.
Painted, oxidised and non-metallic surfaces often have higher emissivity than shiny metal.
Difficult surfaces include:
Polished busbars
Stainless steel
Aluminium
Reflective pipework
Shiny terminals
Incorrect emissivity settings may produce inaccurate temperature values.
For better results:
Compare similar surfaces
Avoid strong reflections
Adjust emissivity where appropriate
Use a suitable reference target when permitted
Confirm with contact measurement where safe
Watch for Reflections
A reflective metal surface may show infrared energy reflected from:
The technician
Nearby hot equipment
Lighting
Other electrical components
Change the viewing angle. If the apparent hot spot moves or disappears, it may be a reflection rather than actual overheating.
Choose the Correct Temperature Range
If the camera range is too wide, smaller but important differences may become difficult to see.
If it is too narrow, hot areas may exceed the scale.
Use:
Appropriate temperature span
Consistent colour palette
Manual range where possible
Similar settings for comparison images
Do not judge severity only from the colour. Read the indicated temperature and compare it with a meaningful reference.
Recommended Inspection Route
A repeatable route may cover:
Data-hall overview
Rack inlets
Rack exhausts
Containment
Raised-floor outlets
Rack PDUs
Electrical panels
UPS
Battery systems
Cooling pumps
Fans and air-conditioning equipment
Network and control rooms
Use the same route during each inspection so that changes are easier to identify.
What to Record
A thermal inspection report should include:
Date and time
Asset number
Equipment location
Thermal image
Normal photograph
Maximum temperature
Reference temperature
Temperature difference
Equipment load
Camera model
Emissivity setting
Distance
Observed condition
Recommended action
The normal photograph helps other technicians identify the exact component.
When a Hot Spot Requires Attention
Prioritise investigation when:
Temperature is rising between inspections
Similar components show a significant difference
Discolouration or smell is present
Load does not explain the temperature
Electrical alarms occur
Cooling performance has changed
Vibration or sound is abnormal
The component serves critical equipment
Failure consequences are high
Do not delay urgent inspection merely because the absolute temperature appears below a generic limit.
Thermal Camera Limitations
A thermal camera may not detect:
A hidden component behind an opaque cover
Internal damage without surface heating
A fault when equipment is not loaded
Poor airflow without a visible temperature difference
Intermittent heating outside the inspection period
Exact air temperature
Exact electrical load
Use data loggers or continuous monitoring when the problem occurs intermittently.
Thermal Camera and Data Logger Work Together
Use thermal imaging to locate where abnormal heat appears.
Use temperature data logging to determine:
When the temperature rises
How long it remains high
Whether it repeats
Whether corrective action worked
This combined approach is particularly useful for intermittent data-centre cooling problems.
Thermal and Data Centre Instruments from MTM Precision
MTM Precision supplies instruments for data-centre inspection and preventive maintenance in Malaysia.
Relevant products include:
NOYAFA NF-522 thermal imaging camera
Wintact WT3320 thermal imaging camera
Wintact WT3160 thermal imaging camera
Wintact WT3220 thermal imaging camera
Temperature and humidity meters
Temperature and humidity data loggers
Differential-pressure meters
Airflow and anemometer instruments
Clamp meters and electrical testers
Vibration meters for pumps and fans
NOYAFA NF-8209 Pro and NF-8506 network cable testers
NOYAFA NF-IPC728HSO CCTV and network tester
Thermal-camera selection should consider image resolution, temperature range, thermal sensitivity, storage, reporting requirements and intended inspection distance.
Contact MTM Precision
MTM Precision Sdn. Bhd. (744811-A)
Tel: 03-8080 7172
WhatsApp: +6016-660 7346
Email: mtmpre@yahoo.com / enquiry@mtmpre.com.my
Website: www.mtmpre.com.my
Visit our Puchong Showroom & Service Centre for thermal-camera selection, demonstration and technical support.
Operating hours: Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM.
20 Sep 2026
