SPOT IR THERMOMETERS vs THERMAL CAMERAS

Why is temperature measurement so critical?

Let's review applications for temperature measurement before discussing the differences between technologies. Temperature is the most commonly measured physical property after time. Here is a list of business applications for temperature measurement. It is by no means exhaustive, but intended to give some examples that perhaps were not previously considered.

• Safety. Checking machinery and electrical systems for potential fire hazards. Excessive heat (or cold) in electrical panels, air ducts, motors or power lines can cause significant damage and/or physically injure someone. There are also firefighting, first responder, and law enforcement applications.
• Preventative and predictive maintenance of machinery, equipment, and electrical systems. Here’s a list of examples:
  • Air handling systems
  • Bearings
  • Belts
  • Electrical rooms
  • Energy audits for heat loss
  • Fluid handling systems
  • Machinery
  • Motors
  • Panel boards
  • Roofing leaks
  • Switchgears
  • Tanks
  • Transformers
  • Water leaks
  • And many more
• Productivity Improvements
• Quality Control

Examples of Thermal Camera Uses

 

	Residential / Commercial Electrician	Industrial	HVAC	Automotive	Utilities / Oil & Gas
Working Environment	•New construction •Residential / Commercial Buildings •Mostly indoors •Temperate environment	•Mostly indoors •Hot/cold environments •Maybe wet or damp •Maybe on catwalks, ladders or cement flooring	•Inside and outside •Hot and cold environments •Maybe wet or damp •Climbing ladders or catwalk either inside or to the roof	•Inside •Temperate environment	•Outside •Hot and cold environments •Climbing ladders or catwalk either inside or to the roof
Key Applications	•Detect heating of fuses, wires, insulators, connectors, splices, switches	•Rotating motors and other machinery •Motor starter relay contacts and overloads •Energy surveys •Boiler operations and steam systems •Performance verifications •Production process	•Radiators for faults •Ambient temp readings •Outlet/inlet air •Chiller input/output •Energy audits •Refrigeration equipment, freezers, AC condenser Check temp of furnace exteriors, stream traps, heat exchangers •Take suction line temps for superheat •temps to look for blockages	•Checking engine and/or brake temperatures •Quick check of fluid temperatures •Hydraulic temperatures	•Check transformers •Look for heat in power cables

Temperature measurement is a critical measurement that will prevent production line shutdowns, dangers such as fires, save troubleshooting time and so much more that the payback is very high to investments in measuring equipment.

 

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What is this invisible Infrared?

Infrared radiation has a wavelength longer than those of visible light.

• Electrical items because of resistance
• Energy
• IR radiation increases with temperature
• IR waves are emitted by all object
• Mechanical items because of friction
• Moisture because of evaporation

Infrared technology based instruments make measuring temperature easier because they are non-contact.
 

Pictured is Ed Kochanek of FLIR during a seminar at our Long Branch, NJ offices. On the slide, he is pointing to the wavelength that the human eye can see. To the right (his left) is the infrared spectrum, and beyond is microwave and radio wavelengths. Download his full PDF presentation here:  Spot Thermometer vs. Thermal Imaging Camera Seminar

 

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What is a Spot IR Thermometer?

 

A common misconception is that the spot the laser beam hits is the measurement point. The laser beam with spot thermometers is just for guidance. Actual measurement is a spot size with a  diameter as described above

Visual IR Thermometers
Visual IR Thermometers combine the convenience of a spot thermometer with the visual advantage of a thermal camera, creating a brand new tool category. They feature a troubleshooting camera with infrared heat map that instantly identifies the exact location of the problem.

Checkout the Fluke VT02 Visual IR Thermometer. It works by taking a visual image and applying a thermal heat map.
 


 

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What is Thermal Camera?

 

Thousands of infrared thermometers simultaneously in a Thermal Camera

 

Thermal Imaging example showing excessive heat build up in a valve that could burst

 

Thermal Imaging example showing heat build-up in a compressor that needs to be repaired before damage causes a shut-down

 

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Benefits of a Thermal Imaging Camera over Spot Thermometer

Spot Thermometers excel at single spot temperature measurements. They are also more affordable for high temperature applications. But for scanning large areas or at a distance, thermal imaging cameras are better suited

• Documentation. Get useful reports from thermal cameras.
• Speed of taking measurements. Get a total view of the situation and instant diagnostic insights.
• Accuracy

True max temperature of 145 degrees is missed by the spot IR thermometer

Here is a FLIR video comparing thermal cameras to spot IR thermometers