Uses Of Thermal Imaging Cameras

Over the years, the use of thermal cameras has expanded. Once widely used only for surveillance and security, the current technology has made these cameras serve many other useful purposes.

The infra red technology which detects heat energy can detect the minute temperature changes and this is generated as an image on a screen. The thermal imaging camera can easily identify hot or cold spots by measuring surface temperature variations. This ability to monitor the slightest change in temperatures is being used to:

  • Assess problems in electrical wiring by detecting changes in temperature along electrical circuits
  • Rapidly identify areas of missed insulation
  • Detect energy losses either due to air leaks or breaks in the walls
  • Detect areas of moisture accumulation in the walls, roofs and ceiling
  • Detect excessive heating in engines, mechanical devices

The portable thermal imaging cameras can be transported to the site and can quickly detect the spots of trouble. Many of these cameras have storage capabilities and image display monitors.

These cameras are the ideal tool for workers who have to constantly monitor electrical circuits and temperature adjustments.

All portable thermal cameras require AA batteries which allow for at least 4-6 hours of shelf life. The cost of these cameras starts around $ 2500-3000.

Hand Held Thermal Imaging Cameras

Unlike the large thermal cameras used for surveillance, we now have very small portable hand held thermal cameras which have a variety of uses. The software and electrical technology has helped to miniaturize these cameras which can be held in the palm of the hand.

There are a variety of hand held thermal cameras and they are widely used today in the housing and construction industry. The cameras can help detect the following:

  • Breaks/missing in insulation in an electrical circuit
  • Loss of heat in a building due to improper caulking
  • Entry of cold air into a building
  • Gaps in buildings
  • Errors in roofing
  • Moisture accumulation in localized areas
  • Framing defects

The great thing about these hand held thermal cameras is that they can be aimed at hard to reach parts of the home and find out where the hot or cold spots are located. One can even buy the entire kit which comes with connections to a lap top or PC. The hand held cameras have the ability to store data and have USB ports for addition of hardware. Each of the hand held thermal cameras is relatively easy to use and are invaluable for the worker in the heating/electrical industry.

The cost of a hand held thermal camera is anywhere from $2000 and upwards.

The Basics Of Thermal Imaging Cameras

We have come a long ways with our cameras. It seems almost every month there is something new out there. The latest in the field of cameras are the thermal imaging devices. These cameras create pictures made of heat exposure rather than light. The heat energy in any live human or animal is detected and converted into a picture form. However, the picture resembles an irregular circle of varying colors and shapes.

All thermal imaging cameras have infrared detectors. These infra red detector systems have been widely used by the military for decades. The military used these cameras to locate targets, track people, intelligence gathering and surveillance. However, the technology of Infra red sensing has greatly expanded and now cameras are available for other purposes like sensing a forest fire, home surveillance, sailing boats, location of individuals in mines and border patrol.

The essence of Infra red sensing is that any object whose temperature is above 0’K will radiate infra red energy. This infra red energy is detected with the thermal imaging camera and then using sophisticated computer software, this is converted into an image which can be visible on a screen.

There are a variety of thermal sensing cameras available today which vary in size, shape and design. The cost of the cameras depends on what the purpose is and how complex the software is. The cheapest thermal cameras cost anywhere from $2000 and up.

Thermal Eye Imaging Camera

Within a decade, the field of thermal imaging has exploded. Almost every type of camera is available today. Once only for use by the military thermal imaging cameras are now widely available for sale to the public. And the latest state of the art thermal camera is the Eye imaging camera. There is nothing else like it. This small portable camera has been extensively used by the military and has just become available for the public to buy. It functions the same as binoculars. One just places the camera lens into the eye and the image is visualized instantly. The powerful lens can detect any human activity up to 400 meters. The images produced are crisp and clear. Unlike a binocular, this thermal camera can see through dust, intense darkness and smoke.

The eye thermal camera requires a couple of AA batteries to work. It can be worn on the neck with a strap and is light weight.

The major uses of the eye camera have been limited to surveillance. The device is a must for the everyday security personnel who are into surveillance. One can follow pursuits, covert operations and follow suspects in complete silence.

The cost of the thermal eye camera starts around $ 9000 and above.

Thermal Imaging Cameras 101

A thermal camera is a device which has the capability to detect very small changes in temperature differences. These temperature differences can be sensed by an infra red detector and are generated into an image onto a screen. The major benefit of a thermal camera is that it has the ability to see in complete darkness.

Thus anyone walking into your backyard can be easily sensed by the thermal camera in complete darkness. The camera picks out the heat and projects the silhouette on to a screen. Some of these cameras can identify a human more than 1500 feet away.

Further, the infra red detector can go through intense smoke, dust, fog and even haze and identify the presence of any human or animal.

It is for these reasons that the thermal imaging cameras are at the forefront of security. First only used by the military, now these thermal cameras are frequently used by home owners and businesses.

There are various models of thermal cameras, some are fixed, others are portable and some are mounted on a 360’ platform and provide complete coverage of the surrounding. All the current day thermal cameras have sophisticated software which enables image storage capacity, wireless transmission and other advanced functions.

These cameras are available from many dealers all over America. But before you go and buy one, read about the camera and why you want one. Just like a digital camera, these devices have a vast array of functions. Since the cameras are not entirely cheap, go to a reputable dealer and ask questions. Better still, get good answers.

What is Flir?

Flir stands for forward looking infrared. This infrared technology has been around for decades and was primarily used by law and enforcement for surveillance proposes. The FLIR affords night vision enhancement which is superb. Today, this infra red technology is now being applied to other fields such a building, construction, electrical and home security. While home security is still more suited to the digital light cameras, the thermal camera imaging system is now widely used by the government for surveillance of the border, aerial surveillance, port security and fire fighting.

The infra red technology is based on the principle that some heat is emitted from all living objects and this is heat is then captured as images by the infra red sensors. Even the minutest changes in temperature can be easily sensed with the infra red detectors. Unlike normal cameras, the images are a series of hot and cold spots with varying degrees of color changes on a screen. While the thermal camera cannot distinguish a car or a house, it can certainly tell a tree from a person.

The biggest advantage of infra red imaging is its ability to see through total darkness. This has been of a tremendous help to fire fighters, border patrol and for aerial surveillance.

Today, the majority of thermal imaging cameras have excellent imaging capacity and have the most advanced software for numerous applications. Both portable and fixed cameras are available to the public for sale.

Thermal Imaging Cameras For Border Patrol

The US government has been using thermal imaging cameras along its border with Mexico and Canada for years. These fancy state of the art cameras are built just for the purpose of detecting any human movement in the dark. The cameras used for border patrol come in all shapes and sizes. They can be mounted on cars, boats or off road ATVs.

The cameras are extremely powerful and can see through intense dust, fire, mist or smoke. Because the cameras are used in a very harsh environment, they are built to be durable and withstand any type of trauma. The sensitive thermal infra red core is sealed inside the middle of the camera.

Many of these thermal imaging cameras have long range surveillance capability and many of them have a large variety of hardware including ability to record images.

The latest design of thermal imaging cameras used by military offer complete flexibility and operator safety. These cameras are easy to use and can be set up in a matter of minutes. Many of the cameras also have wireless transmission and a central video monitoring.

There are a variety of models of thermal cameras which are used in many parts of the country for security- from surveillance of ports, harbors, search and rescue and in aerial surveillance. In most cases, the cameras used for border control and the military are way too expensive for the average consumer.