The Top 10 Thermographic Camera, Flir Thermal Camera, Thermal Imaging Camera [infrared Guide]

(Last Updated On: September 27, 2018) I had always thought that having a good thermal camera was a question of engineers or construction professionals but, once I had found the best portable thermal camera, I understood that anyone can have one.  

In fact, it is not necessary to know too much about them to be able to use them and it is not necessary to have much knowledge or experience to choose a quality one.

So you can forget about all those cameras that offer poor temperature detection, with low resolution or that simply can not give precision readings.

 

Thermographic Camera: How they work and why they may be necessary

A thermal camera is a camera that shows on the screen an image of the heat radiation emitted by a body. In recent years thermographic camera has gone from being a product that only appeared in Hollywood movies and news related to war to be accessible to all, thanks to new production methods that have cheapened the cost of this equipment.

 

How does a thermal camera work?

All bodies above absolute zero (-273ºC) emit infrared radiation (heat). In general, the greater the radiation emitted, the higher the body temperature. This radiation is invisible to the human eye and its range in the electromagnetic spectrum is between visible light and microwave radiation.

In particular, the wavelength of the infrared is between 0.7 and 1000 microns.

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Within this wide range, the thermal cameras work in a range known as thermal infrared, which is where the most common temperatures on the earth’s surface are found, between 8 and 14 microns, which is approximately between -20 and 350ºC.

 

What is the best portable thermal camera?

Speaking with several professionals and experts in the area, I have been able to understand things about these cameras that I had no idea of before. For example, it is useless to have a model with a very high-resolution screen or touch function if its temperature range is too poor.

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Nor is a multispectral camera that has little sensitivity, since it will not give you precise readings that allow you to make specific decisions.

All that knowledge helped me to do a little research and choose the best ones in the current market, and then collect them in the comparative list that I will show you next. All are of very good quality and the most recognized brands.

 

Thermographic camera: Why choose a thermal imaging camera?

Because, while point infrared thermometers show a single temperature from a single point, the thermal imager provides a complete view of the whole situation, with up to 19,600 points!

The acquisition of thermal images is the most effective method to find real or potential problems in a wide variety of applications in many industries.

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What does a thermal camera see? What is a thermal camera?

A thermal imaging camera is a device for measuring temperature without the need for contact. Thermal imaging cameras detect the infrared energy emitted, transmitted or reflected by all materials at temperatures above absolute zero (0 ° Kelvin) and convert the energy factor into a temperature or thermogram reading.

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A thermogram is the thermal image of the object that is emitting, transmitting or reflecting the infrared energy, shown by the camera.

 

Top 10 Thermal Camera [Infrared Camera]

III➤ FLIR E8: Compact Thermal Imaging Camera with 320 x 240 IR Resolution, MSX and Wi-Fi

III➤ FLIR E5: Compact Thermal Imaging Camera with 120 x 90 IR Resolution, MSX and Wi-Fi

III➤ FLIR C2 Compact Thermal Imaging System

III➤ Pulsar Helion XP Thermal Monocular

III➤ FLIR TG165 Spot Thermal Camera

III➤ FLIR E4: Compact Thermal Imaging Camera 80×60 IR Resolution & Wi-Fi

III➤ Seek Thermal Reveal Thermal Imaging Camera & LED Light

III➤ FLIR C3 Pocket Thermal Camera with WiFi

III➤ FLIR ONE Pro Thermal Imaging Camera for Android

III➤ Seek Thermal Compact Imager for Android

 

Frequently asked questions about the use of a thermal imager

 

Why should I use a thermal imaging camera to measure the temperature in my application?

The thermographic camera allows users to measure the temperature in applications where conventional sensors can not be used.

More specifically, in those cases in which there are moving objects (for example, rollers, mobile machinery or a conveyor belt), in which it is necessary to make measurements without contact due to the presence of contamination or certain risks (for example, high voltage) or when the temperatures to be measured are too high for thermocouples or other contact sensors.

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The thermographic camera offers an image that shows temperature differences of the object being measured. This allows you to immediately see the hot spots, compared to the infrared guns, which show an average image of the area being measured.

 

Why is the resolution important?

A higher resolution camera will allow you to find smaller problems at greater distances. You may encounter significant problems that may go unnoticed with a lower resolution camera. For example, if a printed circuit board has a superheated component, a thermal imager will instantly find the hot spot.

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What should I keep in mind about my application when choosing a thermal imager?

The key considerations of any thermal imaging camera include the field of vision (target size and distance), the type of surface to be measured (emissivity considerations),

the spectral response (for atmospheric effects or transmission through surfaces), the temperature range and the type of assembly (handheld or fixed mount). Other considerations include response time, the environment, mounting limitations, peephole or window applications, as well as the desired signal processing.

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What does “field of vision” mean and why is it important?

The field of vision is the angle of vision with which the instrument operates and is determined by the optics of the unit. To obtain an accurate reading of the temperature, the object to be measured must enter completely within the field of vision of the instrument.

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What is emissivity and what is its relation to infrared temperature measurements?

Emissivity is defined as the ratio of the energy radiated by an object at a certain temperature to the energy emitted by a perfect radiator, or blackbody, at the same temperature. The emissivity of a black body is 1.0.

Therefore, all emissivity values are between 0.0 and 1.0. Most infrared thermometers are capable of compensating different emissivity values for different materials.

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In general, the greater the emissivity of an object, the easier it is to obtain an accurate measurement of temperature using the infrared. Objects with very low emissivities (less than 0.2) can be difficult to apply.

Some polished and shiny metallic surfaces, such as aluminum, exhibit such high reflection in the infrared that it is not always possible to make accurate temperature measurements.

 

What should have the best portable thermal camera

Although it is true that they are very technical devices with specifications that are sometimes difficult to understand, the truth is that finding the best portable thermographic camera is not impossible. It’s like with any other product, you just have to know what you’re going for and what you want to use it for.

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So you can buy the most sophisticated or even the least expensive and you will be completely at ease with your decision.

So let’s take a look at all those features that you should know and look for in the best-infrared camera:

Thermal camera or image viewer?

A thermal camera can capture thermal images and save them to see them later, so it is the essential option for construction experts, professional electricians, and others. These devices store the images on SD cards and may even have functions that facilitate the analysis of the captures.

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For its part, a thermal viewer helps you to see a thermal image in real time, without saving it for later. That’s why they are perfect for maintenance or simple tasks.

 

Image resolution

Make sure you have the resolution necessary for the task you will do. The issue is that the most affordable models tend to have low resolution, so you will not see so many details and may even have somewhat blurred results. If you have to work with electrical components or intricate spaces, it is best to look for a camera with high resolution.

 

Screen size

If you have good resolution and also have a large screen that is consistent with it, you will be winning. At the same time, these larger screens usually come with a touch function, which makes things much easier.

 

Weight and size

As we are talking about portable cameras, you always have to look for it to be compact and quite lightweight. Remember that you should also consider the box or bag where you will carry it, which must withstand vibration, shock and more.

 

Temperature range

This refers to the temperatures that the camera is able to capture, from the lowest to the highest. Ideally, your model can read a wide range for greater reliability. In this sense, the ideal camera will have a range between -15 and 110 ºC.

In the case of industrial or scientific needs, firefighters or other emergency uses, the most recommended cameras usually have a much wider range.

 

Sensitivity level

It is also known as thermal resolution and is that which refers to the smallest temperature difference that a thermal camera can read between two different objects.

At this point, you will have to look only at your needs and where you will use the camera.

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For example, a mechanical inspector needs to detect small differences to make precise repairs, just as firefighters need to be able to discern between burning objects or hot bodies.

The most sensitive can detect differences of up to 0.0045 ºC, although the most common have a sensitivity of 1 or 2.

 

Overlaying images

Some models can join images and facilitate their analysis and processing. Overlaying images is a function that allows you to place a normal light image on another thermal image to give you more information.

 

III➤ Offers of thermal imaging camera

 

Other functions

It is also worth noticing the ways in which the device allows you to show the captured images. It can be stored on an SD card, in an internal memory, whose files can be passed through USB to a PC, or even some have recording function to save videos.

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Other models include digital camera function to take pictures with visible light and make the overlay, LED flash, a good focusing system to have sharp images, ability to make notes with voice or text next to your images, connectivity with devices smart and much more.

 

Applications and most recurrent uses of portable thermal cameras

Several years ago, thermal cameras were a very expensive object and only aimed at professionals, for construction or maintenance services.

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However, nowadays they have become much cheaper and, with the advent of laptops, even less experienced and casual users can make use of them at any time. That’s why today they can be used for many different applications:

 

In buildings and constructions

In this type of environment, you can detect service lines and pipes, defective insulation, humidity inputs and possible mold formations, faults in electrical and electronic components, maintenance and review of solar panels and much more.

 

For electricity and electronics

Here there are many uses since they allow to see failures in electrical equipment, banks of batteries, fuse boxes, capacitors, service stations, transformers, equipment for cooling or heating, among others.

 

In manufacturing processes

Damage can be found in motors, rotors, couplings, compressors, pumps and any other machine used in these processes.

 

For emergency services

This is one of the most important uses since they allow firefighters and rescuers to find temperature differences in fires or even in avalanches.

In this way, a still hot body can be detected under a thick layer of snow or even between a series of debris and residues at high temperatures during the fire.

 

In medicine

It can detect viruses such as SARS and Ebola or even the presence of arthritis and breast cancer.

III➤ Offers of night vision camera

Future applications

At the moment, new applications are being developed, such as the thermographic camera included in BMW cars to provide better night vision and avoid night accidents,

their use to evaluate defective solar panels and wind turbines or even to use at home on the day.

 

 

 

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