Thermal imaging technologies have long been associated with a range of applications and industries for discovering abnormalities and weak points quickly and efficiently. These technologies are ideal for production monitoring and other applications as materials and components undergo non-destructive testing under operating conditions. That allows discovery of the problem before a breakdown can occur or a fire risk can develop.
For instance, thermal imaging allows contractors in a building, facilities maintenance, HVAC, and in electrical industries to visualize situations they are facing—they know where to start with as job, and it saves them time and effort. That means they can improve their efficiency, ultimately providing faster service to customers.
Resolution of the image is very important in thermal imaging. The details matter when using thermography for detecting leakages, cold bridges, mold, or overheated components. Most such elements are visible only when the resolution of the image is 160×120 pixels or more. As the technology uses each pixel as a measurement point, measuring accuracy improves with higher resolution. Accurate measurements are necessary for detecting irregularities earlier, avoiding unnecessary damages for you and the customer.
Using a camera with exceptional resolution has additional advantages. It is not necessary to be near the abnormality when capturing its thermal image, thereby leaving the image quality unaffected. Low-resolution thermal images can be unclear, and may not offer true or accurate readings. Therefore, industrial thermal imaging practically starts from a resolution of 160×120 pixels, as this is the minimum to offer true value.
Several industries use thermal imaging. However, for the best application of this technology, it is necessary to use a robust, quality camera. Here are some examples where thermal imaging is a huge advantage:
Heating Installations
A thermal camera can make visible a leaking pipe hidden under plaster, which is impossible to locate with the naked eye. Similarly, it is easy to visualize under the floor heating courses, and check the performance of a radiator non-intrusively. In addition to the resolution, it is necessary to have a thermal sensitivity of at least 100 mK.
Inspection of Switching Cabinets
A temperature rise usually precedes a malfunction in a switching cabinet. Using a high-resolution thermal camera, not only can one measure this rise, but also visualize the location of the heat source. As all this happens without contact, it is impossible to miss an overheated contactor, an insufficiently tightened clamp, or an overloaded cable.
Discovering Defects in Buildings
Detecting sealing and insulation defects or discovering and analyzing cold bridges in buildings can be done far more quickly and accurately using thermal imaging than with any other tool. Apart from initiating preventive measure timely, this ensures building quality, while impressing the customer with the visual representation of the quality of workmanship.
Identifying Dangers from Mold
With high-quality thermal imaging, it is easy to calculate the value of humidity at each measuring point. The calculation depends on the externally measured ambient temperature, the humidity of air, and the determined surface temperature. The imager has a humidity palette, which represents the different risk zones with the principle of traffic lights—Green for no risk, Amber for caution, and Red for danger.
