There are constant developments in the thermal imaging market, especially in the handheld category, with their demand increasing due to the ease of use and price
By Sneha Ambastha
A thermal imaging device, also known as an infrared camera, is used to analyse an object or a scene through the process of thermography. In this electromagnetic spectrum, the light visible to the human eye occupies a very small area. However, a larger percentage of the spectrum is occupied by infrared rays (IR), which require special devices for the human eye to see. Thermal imaging devices fill that gap between what the human eye can see and the electromagnetic spectrum. They convert the heat (sometimes the cold, too) energy produced by a body into visible light, creating a thermogram (image) of that body. These devices work in the wavelength of 14µm.
A thermal imaging device can be a fixed thermal camera or a handheld one. Developed during the Korean war for military purposes, the scope of these devices has increased over time, finding applications in various industries. This article is about handheld thermal imaging cameras used in industrial maintenance, HVAC engineering, building surveys, electrical inspections, and to monitor various R&D processes. They have a wide range of industrial applications—from manufacturing to refineries. These devices are designed for rugged performance, with high durability and efficiency.
Recently launched products available in the market
Model: TI450 9HZ, Brand: Fluke, Manufacturer: Fluke Corporation
Priced at around Rs. 909,160, the TI450 is a recently launched thermal imaging camera with a frame rate of 9Hz. The company claims that the camera’s ‘MultiSharp focus’ feature enables one to get automatically focused images in the given field of view, even if one is viewing a blurry target. This is because the camera takes multiple images and combines them to provide a clear and accurate image of any target, no matter how near or far it is. The only thing required is to point and shoot.
Key features
- Has ‘MultiSharp’ focus, and captures a clear and accurate image of the area focused in the field of view
- Automatically processes a stack of images, just by pointing and shooting
- Its super resolution camera allows users to get 4x pixel data to capture multiple images, which is then combined to create a 640×480 image
- Its ‘Fluke Connect’ system allows users to sync images with their camera wirelessly for real-time collaboration
- Its ‘IR Fusion’ technology allows users to get the context of the visual and infrared details in one precisely blended or picture-in-picture image
Key specifications
Temperature measurement range: –20°C to 1200°C
Measurement accuracy: ±2°C or 2 per cent (at 25°C nominal, whichever is greater)
Detector resolution: 320 x 240 (76,800 pixels) — or 640 x 480 with SuperResolution
Thermal sensitivity (NETD): ≤0.05°C at 30°C target temp (50mK)
Power:
1. Field rechargeable and replaceable battery: Two lithium-ion smart battery packs with a five-segment LED display to show the charge level
2. AC operation: AC operation with included power supply (100V AC to 240V AC, 50/60Hz)
Dimensions: 277mm x 122mm x 167mm
Weight: 1.04kg
USP: Very easy to use—users need to just point and shoot
Contact details: www.fluke.com
Indian supplier: element14 India, Navin Honnavar, Ph: 080 4000 3888, [email protected], in.element14.com
Model: Testo 869, Brand: Testo, Manufacturer: Testo Inc.
Priced at around Rs. 90,000, the Testo 869 was developed in collaboration with experts from different industries such as the building trade, the heating industry and those in facilities management. The company claims that the Testo 869 provides high-quality thermography and is robust, accurate, fast and reliable. It can be used for a huge variety of tasks, across many different industries, ranging from mechanical maintenance to checking if the freezer doors are correctly shut.
Key features
- Comes with a high resolution; infrared resolution is 160 x 120 pixels for quality images
- Provides 19,220 temperature measurement points for precise measurements and accurate results
- Capable of visualising small temperature differences as its thermal sensitivity is even smaller than 120mK
- Its focus-free 34° lens ensures a wide field of view of the temperature distribution of the objects to be measured
- It displays critical temperature conditions like automatic hot or cold spot recognition
Key specifications
Temperature measurement range: –20°C to +280°C
Measurement accuracy: ±3°C, ±3% of mv
Resolution:
1. Infrared resolution: 160 x 120 pixels
2. Geometric resolution (IFOV): 3.68mrad
Thermal sensitivity (NETD): <120mK at +30°C
Power:
1. Rechargeable battery: Li-ion rechargeable battery exchangeable on site
2. Mains operation
Dimensions: 219mm x 96mm x 95mm
Weight (battery included): 0.55kg
USP: Testo 869 has a seemingly endless range of applications
Contact details: www.testo.in
Model: CA 1950, Brand: Chauvin-Arnoux, Manufacturer: Chauvin-Arnoux
Launched in January 2016, CA 1950 is available at a price of Rs. 140,000 (excluding taxes). It starts up in not more than three seconds and can record processable .bmp files. Its other features, such as automatic brightness, modifiable emissivity table and its capability to rename files, make it a competitive product in the industry, at the given price. It has a battery life of about 13 hours. It is used in diverse industries for varied fault detection purposes like inspecting building shells as well as detecting insulation faults, air infiltration, thermal bridges, excessive humidity, leaks, blockages and embedded pipes. It is also used for education and in maintenance and industrial repair works, apart from the detection of abnormal overheating in the electrical sector (faulty contacts, unbalanced and incorrect sizing) and in the detection of mechanical phenomena such as wear, shaft misalignment and lubrication problems.
Key features
- Comes with comprehensive firmware temperature measurement tools (manual cursor, minimum, maximum, isotherm-profiler)
- Is user-friendly with a menu and contextual help
- Has IP54 ratings and is capable of withstanding falls of up to 2m
- Enabled with an intuitive analysis software with automatic report generation
- Can be connected with both clamps and multimeters
- Capable of recording voice (earphone is supplied for this)
Key specifications
Temperature measurement range: –20°C to 250°C
Measurement accuracy: ±2°C
Detector type: 80 x 80 pixels with real images
Thermal sensitivity (NETD): <0.08°C @ 30°C
Dimensions: 225mm x 125mm x 83mm
Weight: 700g with rechargeable batteries
USP: Has high end features in a competitively priced product with 13 hours of battery life
Contact details: www.chauvin-arnoux.com
Indian distributor: Cyronics Instruments Pvt Ltd, Ph: 0 20-24208200, [email protected], www.cyronics.com
Model: TG165, Brand: FLIR, Manufacturer: FLIR Systems Inc.
Launched last year, the TG165 is available at a price of Rs. 46,000 in India. It is a spot thermal camera used to bridge the gap between single spot infrared thermometers and FLIR’s legendary thermal cameras. The product is equipped with FLIR’s exclusive Lepton micro-thermal sensor, which allows one to see the heat in order to identify the exact point to target the measurement spot. It also helps to easily find unseen hot and cold spots for instant troubleshooting, and allows storage of images and data for later inclusion in reports. It is used by technicians, electricians, and those in the electronics and power industries.
Key features
- Capable of building diagnostics
- Has a wide 50-degree field of view that makes it easy to frame an entire wall in a single image
- Is intuitive to operate and does not require any special training
- Easily saves images and data for documentation, and downloads the images fast over USB or via removable microSD card
- Has been designed for the harshest environments, and is durable enough to withstand even a 2-metre drop during the toughest jobs
Key specifications
Temperature measurement range: –25°C to 380°C (14ºF–716°F)
Measurement accuracy: ±1.5°C or 1.5 per cent, whichever is greater
Detector type: FLIR Lepton, microbolometer focal plane array
Thermal sensitivity (NETD): <150mK
Dimensions: 186mm × 55mm × 94mm
Weight: 0.312kg
USP: Affordable spot thermal cameras
Contact details: Ph: +91-11-45603555, [email protected], www.flir.in
Indian branch: FLIR Systems India Pvt Ltd
