What is a thermal imaging camera? Thermal cameras or thermal imagers are devices that translate thermal power (heat) into illustrated light (color) in order to analyze a single object or scene. The image produced by thermal imaging cameras is known as a thermogram and is analyzed through a process called thermography.
How do they work? Nearly all objects radiate thermal power from their surface. Contemporary thermal imagers use a detector called a microbolometer to sense this thermal energy. Microbolometers are composed of an array of pixels which are made of a range of dissimilar materials most commonly, amorphous silicone and vanadium oxide. When thermal power given off by an object strikes the pixel material, the material is heated changing its electrical resistance. This resistance can then be measured and translated into a temperature value. A thermogram is then produced by assigning colors or shades to each of these temperature values.
Fluke
What do I look for when purchasing a thermal camera? There are numerous components that contribute to both the potential and the cost of a thermal imager. The two most prominent factors are the detector resolution and the thermal sensitivity.
The detector resolution describes the amount of pixels in the microbolometer array. The most base resolutions of detectors are 160X120, 320X240, and 640X480 pixels. These values represent the amount of horizontal pixels times the amount of vertical pixels in the array. A 320X240 detector produces an image composed of 76,800 pixels. Since each pixel has a temperature connected with it, that is also 76,800 temperature data points. Higher resolutions also produce visibly clearer images (similar to digital cameras).
Thermal sensitivity is the smallest temperature divergence the camera can detect. A sensitivity of 0.05°C means the camera can distinguish two surfaces with only a five hundredths of a degree temperature difference.
What features can I expect to find on a thermal imager? All of the movable imagers we carry capture images onto an included memory card which can then be transferred to a Pc via Usb interface. Each imager includes software that allows the user to analyze the images and create a report. As with most electronic devices, there are obvious features or "selling points" that may make one imager more lively to a inherent user than another. Our thermal imaging comparison chart highlights these differences (link here). Here are a few to look for:
Built-in digital camera Field of view and the potential to add lenses (telephoto, wide, closeup) Video yield to someone else gismo such as a computer, Tv, or projector. Imager Lcd display size Refresh rate (how fast the image updates, 60Hz = 60 refreshes per second) Touch screen potential potential to focus lens automatically or manually potential to add voice/text commentary Rugged, ergonomic manufacture Who makes thermal imagers and infrared cameras? We carry three major manufacturers of thermal imagers and infrared cameras: Flir, Fluke, and Testo. Each builder offers dissimilar manufacture and functionality to best suit your application.
Flir has been in the thermal imaging firm for over 30 years. For the first twenty years, their cameras were used primarily in government and military applications together with aircraft, marine, and law enforcement. Since the cost of manufacturing has fallen over the past few years, Flir has been able to offer cameras for a wide range of applications at a range of dissimilar price points.
Fluke has been designing and manufacturing test and measurement instrumentation since 1948. Fluke is known for their reliability and rugged design, intended for the toughest of industrial applications. All of Fluke's thermal imagers are man-made in the United States.
Testo has a very strong proximity in the Hvac store especially with combustion analyzers, anemometers, and moisture products. Their imagers offer terrific value as well as strong execution in a range of dissimilar applications.
How can I use my thermal imager? Now that you have a brief comprehension how thermal imaging cameras work and what to look for, let's discuss some base applications.
Home Inspection and power Audits Thermal imagers can be used to analyze buildings for heat loss, moisture damage, and other precious flaws. Imagers used for construction inspections commonly do not want larger temperature ranges but do want high thermal sensitivity. Imagers that are good fit for these applications are the Flir i7, E30bx, E40bx, E50bx, E60bx, T300, Fluke TiS, TiR, TiR1, TiR32, and Testo 875-2i, 881-1.
Electrical and Mechanical Inspections Thermal imaging cameras are ideal for preventative maintenance of both electrical and mechanical equipment. Excessive wear, overloading and faulty parts can all create heat illustrated to a imaging camera. High resolution, large temperature ranges, and high sensitivity are all primary for these applications. Cameras best fit for electrical and mechanical inspections are the Flir E30, E40, E50, E60, T300, T620, Fluke Ti10, Ti25, Ti32, and Testo 875-1i, 875-2i, 881-1.
Research and development Heat is frequently a constraint in the development of processes of all kind. Thermal imagers can help in the yield of systems and products by pointing out inherent problem areas. High resolution is a must for these applications making the Flir E60, T300, T620 and the Fluke Ti32 all good options.
Medical and Veterinarian High resolution imagers are capable of providing comprehension into medical conditions in both humans and animals alike. Injury and disease often creates additional blood flow to affected areas. This blood flow, if close sufficient to the skin, generates heat detectable by a thermal imaging cameras. The imagers that should be determined for these applications are the Flir E60, T300, T620 and the Fluke Ti32.
There are many applications for thermal imagers that have been yet to be discovered. Please do not hesitate to query about what cameras may help with your application.
As with all of the products we sell, we encourage you to call us and speak with one of our engineers. We currently have two Level Ii Certified thermographers that are eager to discuss your application and help you get the best camera for your needs.
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