Why measure temperature?
Infrared and Temperature Measurement
Finding a problem with an infrared camera is sometimes not enough. In fact, an infrared camera image alone without accurate temperature measurements says very little about the condition of an electrical connection or worn mechanical part. Many electrical targets are operating properly at temperatures that are significantly above ambient. An infrared image without measurement can be misleading because it may visually suggest a problem that does not exist.
Predictive Maintenance
Infrared cameras that incorporate temperature measurement allow predictive maintenance professionals to make well informed judgments about the operating condition of electrical and mechanical targets. Temperature measurements can be compared with historical operating temperatures, or with infrared readings of similar equipment at the same time, to determine if a significant temperature rise will compromise component reliability or plant safety.
Why would you choose a FLIR thermal imaging camera?
There are other technologies available to help you measure temperatures in a non-contact mode. Infrared thermometers for example.
Infrared thermometers vs thermal imaging cameras
Infrared (IR) thermometers are reliable and very useful for single-spot temperature readings, but, for scanning large areas, it’s easy to miss critical parts like air leakages, areas with insufficent insulation or water intrusion.
A FLIR thermal imaging camera can scan entire buildings, heating and HVAC installations. It never misses a potential problem area no matter how small this might be.
Use thousands of infrared thermometers at the same time
With an infrared thermometer you are able to measure the temperature at one single spot. FLIR thermal imaging cameras can measure temperatures on the entire image. The FLIR i3 has an image resolution of 60 x 60 pixels. This means that it is equal to using 3,600 IR thermometers at the same time. If we look at the FLIR B660, our top model, which has an image resolution of 640 x 480 pixels, this means 307,200 pixels or using 307,200 infrared thermometers at the same time.
Find problems faster and easier with extreme accuracy.
It is easy to miss a critical building problem if you are only using a spot IR thermometer. A FLIR thermal imaging camera will give you a total view of the situation and instant diagnostic insights. It not only locates a construction problem in a building but shows the full extent of problems.