Things to Know Before Buying a Thermal Scanner Camera

Many people believe that buying a DSLR pixel camera is a significant task due to its cost and the numerous factors to consider. However, purchasing a thermal scanner camera is often more challenging because it is specifically designed for various applications. Unlike a DSLR, you can’t simply buy a thermal pixel camera for multiple purposes.

For instance, the type of thermal scanner camera required will vary for a plumber, home inspector, electrician, researcher, drone pilot, mechanic, and maintenance technician. Therefore, you must clearly define your requirements before making a purchase.

In addition to your specific needs, consider several other factors when selecting a thermal scanner camera. But first, let’s explore some common uses for these cameras across different industries.

Common Uses of Thermal Scanner Cameras

• Plumbing: Detect pipe blockages, identify hot and cold water pipes, and find leaks in walls, ceilings, and hidden pipes.
• Electrical: Identify overloaded circuits, wiring issues, and transformers; find hot or loose connections; detect multi-phase imbalances; locate electrical insulation defects; and visualize load distribution.
• Home and Building Inspections: Conduct energy tests, identify missing or defective in-wall insulation, locate thermal bridges, monitor drying materials, detect supply faults, and find air leak sources.
• HVAC: Detect duct and joint air leaks, locate condenser coil blockages, check coil temperatures, visualize airflow and hot/cold spots, and test under-floor heating systems.
• Firefighting: Detect hotspots in structural fires, identify flare-up locations, locate fire victims through smoke, measure fire temperatures, maintain visibility for personnel, and identify potential HAZMAT risks.
• Automotive Safety and Inspection: Detect pedestrians in low-light conditions, enhance autonomous driving systems, improve visibility, identify electrical issues, locate high-friction areas, find engine oil leaks, and detect sources of overheating.
• Gas Detection: Monitor gas pipeline leaks and potential breaking points.

 

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Key Factors to Consider

1. Resolution: This refers to the camera’s ability to capture details, measured in pixels. Higher pixel counts result in better resolution and clearer images. Assess the resolution based on the size of the imaging area and the target.
2. Thermal Sensitivity: This is the minimum temperature difference that a thermal scanner camera can detect, known as the Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference (NETD). A lower temperature difference enhances performance for most applications. For example, inspectors can achieve greater accuracy with low thermal sensitivity, making it easier to detect moisture content, as the temperature difference between buildings and moisture is typically small.

The temperature range 

Also known as the temperature scale, the temperature range is the range of temperatures the thermal camera is calibrated for and capable of measuring. This becomes an important factor to consider if you are intending to measure high temperatures such as boilers, furnaces, or kilns.

To set the right temperature range for your thermal scanner camera, determine the target temperature and the expected temperature differences. If the intended temperature is high but the camera can’t handle it, the results will lack accuracy.

The Field of View (FoV)

The Field of View (FoV) refers to the angle at which a camera observes a scene. Thermal scanner cameras come with both wide and narrow FoVs. Your choice depends on the object you are interested in and the camera’s common purpose.

Most entry-level thermal cameras feature a wide FoV, making them suitable for thermal inspections close to the target. They can also measure distant objects, but the accuracy diminishes compared to cameras with a narrow FoV.

Accuracy and Repeatability

The primary function of a thermal scanner pixel camera is to detect temperature differences. Additionally, it measures these differences. The temperature range is easily determined by the thermal camera.

Consider the accuracy and repeatability of the camera. Look for models that achieve ±2% accuracy or better.

Image Fusion

Not all applications produce the same images. Sometimes, thermal images need to be compared with visible light images to illustrate temperature differences. Relying solely on thermal capability may not suffice in these cases.

Some thermal imaging cameras can highlight differences between thermal and visible images, making image capturing easier in such applications.

Durability

Durability is essential, especially for applications like high-end surveillance and monitoring critical infrastructure. If you use the thermal scanner camera outdoors for extended periods or in rugged industrial environments, durability becomes even more crucial.

A thermal scanner camera is a valuable tool, but choosing the right one is key to its effectiveness.