What can Thermal Cameras help you with?
As many of you already know, thermal imaging can be used for a wide range of applications, whether it is something you need to fix around your home or if you're simply fault finding round the workplace.
What is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal cameras transfer thermal energy (heat) into a visual image.
This allows the person operating the camera to identify hot or cold spots present in things like mechanical equipment where you can measure temperatures of the components such as overheated bearings.
How do Thermal Cameras Work?
Thermal cameras work by detecting temperatures through different levels of infrared light, this is achieved by relying on several sensors.
Much like a digital camera an infrared camera operates by being pointed at what it is you wish to take an image or recording of, the camera then focuses on the infrared light within its field of view.
Once this has been achieved the camera then gathers information to help create a thermogram made from temperature patterns that have been detected. This is then transferred into electric impulses that can then be translated into data for us to read on the camera's display.
Finally, all the information gathered is then translated into an image or recording for us to see ourselves,
What can thermal cameras see or not see?
One thing people tend to forget about thermal cameras is that there are some limitations as to what they can and cannot see.
They can’t see through glass
Rather than detecting temperatures on the other side of the glass, thermal cameras simply reflect temperatures back at you from what is in the room, so if you stand at a window and point your camera at it, you will simply see a reflection of yourself and the objects around you.
They can detect hot or cold spots where leaks may be present
With things like water leaks, there will be a change in temperature where the leak is located making it easy to detect with a thermal camera.
They can’t find ghosts
If you get your thermal camera out for ghost hunting chances are you won’t find anything and if you do detect a temperature anomaly it is usually something that can be explained such as detecting heat from pipework.
Due to the huge temperature difference between other ships or boats and the sea, thermal cameras are often used to help navigate through the water as other ships can be so easily detected due to the temperature difference.
They can’t see through walls
One of the most common questions in thermal imaging is if they can see through walls, the answer is no due to insulation in the walls to help keep your property warm. If you do detect any temperatures it is most likely due to hot pipes heating the wall on their path.
Thermal cameras can see at night
If you like a good wildlife documentary, you will notice how when finding animals at night, thermal cameras are sometimes used. This is because it can help identify animals at night without having to use lighting for a digital camera which can also interfere with the animals.
What Thermal Camera is right for me?
Finding the right FLIR Thermal Camera can sometimes be difficult especially because there are so many to choose from so here are a few steps to help you choose the right one for you.
Resolution
As thermal cameras specialise in producing a thermal image of what is the cameras field of view, the digital resolution of images tends to be lower than the thermal resolution. If you are looking to detect small objects or things from a distance you will need something with a higher resolution than if you were to look at something greater in size such as a blocked radiator.
Accuracy
Some people use thermal cameras to just get temperature readings of objects, but they are also used a lot to help determine temperature differences. This means the more accurate the camera is at presenting and reading temperatures the more reliable the information is. If you are looking to achieve a high accuracy you will be looking for a higher range thermal camera with an accuracy of +2% or more.
Temperature Range
This is one of the most important things to consider when finding the perfect camera for you as it is the camera's job to detect temperature after all. You need to consider what temperatures the objects you will be measuring can reach so your camera can measure these accurately.
Fixed or Handheld
If you are looking to simply use your thermal camera as a checking tool whilst you’re out and about then you will need to look for a handheld thermal camera so you can take it where ever you need to. However, if you are looking to continuously monitor for temperature readings you may need something fixed in place for monitoring round the clock that can communicate with a computer for you to check readings whenever you require.
Thermal Fusion
Thermal fusion is the combining of the digital and thermal image. By having this feature you can help differentiate different colours and shades on the images that indicate different temperature levels. Being able to highlight the difference between thermal images and digital images can be very important when taking photos in different applications.
How far away do I need to be to record temperatures?
The distance you can measure with a thermal camera depends highly on the resolution and field of view of the infrared camera you are using.
If you use a camera with a high resolution and a narrow field of view such as 6 degrees you will have the capability of detecting objects from a greater distance due to improved accuracy from more pixels being on target in the camera.
The best way to determine if you are standing the right distance away from an object is by ensuring the temperature toy are measuring overfills the spot size on the camera, leaving plenty of room for the camera to provide you with accurate results.
What Palette Should I Use?
Deciding on the correct palette to use, depends on the application you are looking to use the camera for.
Rainbow HC Palette
This colour palette is perfect for applications where there is minimal heat change present. By focusing on areas with a similar heat change the rainbow HC palette can detect slight temperature changes despite being in low contrast conditions; making it perfect for building surveys
Iron Palette
This palette can be used for a lot of general-purpose applications such as electrical or mechanical inspections; as it shows heat distribution on small details, with hot spots being shown in warm colours like yellows and whites whereas colder spots are shown in deep purples or blacks.
White Hot Palette
Displaying warm objects in a white tone and colder ones in black, it is the perfect palette for detailing wide temperature differences. This makes it attractive for people using it for monitoring or security reasons.
Artic Palette
Warmer objects are displayed with a golden colour whilst cooler ones can be seen in blue tones. This helps to highlight temperature changes from heat sources. This palette is also perfect for building applications much like the rainbow one.
Black Hot Palette
This palette is the reverse of the white-hot one, now showing warmer objects in black and cooler ones in white. This also tends to be a favourite choice amongst those in law enforcement and for hunting activities.
If you wish to find out more about thermal cameras and what they can do for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!