In an industrial environment, such as production & assembly or manufacturing, the ability to carry out safety testing quickly and efficiently is critical. Of course you need your testing to be accurate and reliable, but having the ability to carry out tests in a fast and convenient fashion is very important when you have lots of tests to carry out in very little time, and of course if you are responding to an emergency situation. The thermal imaging camera that is on the market today was designed for just this purpose, but it is adapting a technology that has been around for a number of years.
What is a thermal imaging camera?
A thermal imaging camera is a hand-held electronic instrument which uses infrared technology to detect heat energy. This is identified by pointing the device at the potential heat source and reading the visible results on an integrated digital display screen.
How do thermal imaging cameras work?
The user is able to identify regions of excess heat with a thermal imaging camera. This is achieved through a heat sensor in the device, which is attached to a specialist lens which allows infrared frequencies to pass through it. This works with image-capture technology to detect heat sources when the camera is pointed at them. The sensor allows the user to see an infrared colour spectrum which would otherwise be invisible.
On the LCD display screen the user can see a colour spectrum which represents the different heat sources it has detected. Red areas will be the hottest, followed by orange/yellow areas, while green is usually showing room temperature. Areas which are purple or blue are usually cooler temperatures.
Where can thermal imaging cameras be used?
A thermal imaging camera allows for safe and remote testing of heat sources, although you do need to be within a certain distance of the heat source to ensure an accurate reading. However, this is a form of non-contact and non-invasive testing. Thermal imaging can be used in many different sectors including healthcare, but is most popular being used by engineers and maintenance staff in industrial environments for testing electrical panels, motors and other components.
The camera can be useful for identifying overheating components and hence can be used for emergency response, troubleshooting or simply for preventive maintenance if you have a checklist of machines, circuits or panels and are checking that they are within acceptable temperature parameters on a regular basis. The camera is also good for identifying areas of wasted energy and hence is used widely for thermal insulation surveys and building inspections.
Because the thermal imaging camera is using infrared radiation it can be used in very dark environments or where a component is obscured. It is also more useful to use a thermal imaging camera at night, because this is when more ambient temperatures are found. Even on a relatively cool day, it can be discovered that buildings and materials can absorb heat from the sun, so more accurate readings might be found when daylight has gone.
Our range of thermal imaging cameras
The TIS range of thermal imaging cameras are reliable and effective for preventive maintenance, emergency response and front-line troubleshooting. We have a range of instruments which can be differentiated in a variety of ways.
Most thermal imaging cameras will have a different image resolution for the LCD screen. They will also offer a wider or smaller thermal range, ie. the upper and lower temperatures which can be detected. There is also a difference in how quickly and easily the lens can be changed or which different lenses can be fitted. This effects the accuracy of results also.
If you contact our sales experts at TIS, we can speak with you and find the most suitable thermal imaging camera for your needs. We have a range which offers specialist features, while other instruments have multiple characteristics for a tester who is a bit of an all-rounder. We also have more basic instruments for less critical needs. So whatever your technical requirements and whatever your budget, we will have the thermal imaging camera for you, so get in touch today.
Please note that this section is for information purposes only. Anyone using equipment referred to in this section must be suitably qualified and/or experienced within the respective field. If in doubt before use, please consult a qualified electrician or engineer & thoroughly read all instruction booklets.