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 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.

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