Thermal cameras are handheld devices that can be implemented to detect infrared light or heat energy. Infrared light is a spectrum of light with lower thermal energy than visible light and thus cannot be seen with the naked eye. A thermal camera is designed with a special lens and sensors to detect infrared radiation. A thermal imaging camera combines thermal energy and existing image capture technology to produce a thermal image of an object.

Functionality

A thermal imager is used to detect infrared light in the electromagnetic spectrum. This is possible by replacing the normal light sensors and lenses on a normal camera with specific infrared sensors and lenses. The lenses in infrared cameras are made of germanium or zinc selenide which does not reflect thermal radiation like normal glass lenses. Sensors in the device then detect temperature differences in the field of view which is transmitted to the display in image and color format. Hot regions are represented in red, yellow, and orange while cold regions are blue and purple. Green generally shows room temperature.

Usage

The need for thermal imaging has increased with many fields seeing the need for thermal imaging and infrared cameras. From safety requirements to driverless cars, the use of an infrared camera has continued to affect a wide range of our lives today.

Emergency units use thermal imaging cameras to detect fire through high heat zones in the field of view, or body temperature in a dark place that would not be visible to the human eye. Safety and military units use night vision cameras to operate in the dark and make it easier to see. Engineers and maintenance staff use thermal sensitivity devices to check for leaks in insulation materials or heat transfer pipes and lines.

Infrared technology is also being widely applied to autonomous vehicles and driverless cars to detect other objects. This is especially important in braking zones and pedestrian crossings. The car can be able to predict if the road is clear or not from a distance using thermal imaging cameras.

Specifications

The price of thermal cameras and infrared imaging has dropped in the recent past as manufacturing and design components have become cheaper to produce. Cameras are now easier to get in local stores and shops for different hobbies and purposes. This begs the question, which type of camera do you need and for what purposes? Here is some consideration to have in mind for the purchase.

Resolution

The field of view determines what images and radiation are present for the sensors to pick up on. This affects the image you will view and the size. A good camera with more pixels will have a higher resolution for better image quality. Good detector resolution and spatial resolution in the field of view will give a clear image with better details.

Temperature Range

Depending on the environment you intend to use the camera for, you will require one that can detect thermal images in that specific temperature range. The wide array of cameras on offer will have ones that have a specific temperature range that they can detect while more complex cameras can select the range depending on the scene.

Storage

The more specialized individuals who use thermal cameras require good storage for saving images and data that can later be accessed. This is in terms of internal memory, memory cards, or USB drives for transferring data or for later presentation.

Focus and Lens Options

You should select a camera with a good focal range and lens quality, depending on the scene, skill level, and the device in use. The focal distance, lens magnification, and versatility for different situations determine how good the output will be.

Infrared cameras detect the heat signatures of different objects. This can however be hindered by certain factors. A glass pane can reduce the accuracy of the sensors considerably. This is because glass allows visible light but reflects infrared waves. The sensors on the camera detect heat on surfaces and cannot detect it beyond opaque objects such as walls.