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Selecting the Right Equipment
Infrared Measurement is an ideal and simple solution for many demanding temperature measurement applications. The most difficult challenge people face is choosing the appropriate equipment and knowing how to use it properly. Aside from the thermographer, equipment is the greatest limiting factor in performing an infrared inspection and using incorrect instrumentation can significantly impact the accuracy of your infrared data.
There are no industry standards that govern the design or manufacture of thermal imagers, and prospective buyers are totally reliant on the information contained within sales brochures to determine if a piece of equipment is suitable. Manufacturers will suggest applications the equipment is suitable for, but they cannot guarantee that you will operate the camera under the conditions necessary to gather accurate data. It’s fair to say that many sales brochures are designed to appeal to the widest audience possible (to maximize sales), and often this information can be unreliable when it comes to choosing the correct equipment for your application.
When choosing equipment it is important to seek information and advice from qualified and certified professionals. Do not simply rely on what other’s tell you, as there is a great deal of misinformation when it comes to the use and application of thermal imaging equipment. Few people have formal training and the simplistic nature of the operation of a cameras leads to much misinterpretation (see training requirements).
Always consult a professional thermographer.
The following is a checklist of important camera attributes that you should understand before selecting equipment for your intended application. Price should be considered last, as a decision based on price alone may result in the purchase of equipment that is completely ineffective for your application. For your application you need to consider the following:
Resolution and Spot Size
Thermal Sensitivity
Recommended Resolutions
Lenses
Temperature Range
Special requirements: Frame Rates, Camera Capture Speed, Real Time Video, Indoor/Outdoor Use, Screen Size and Image Display, Lenses, Memory Storage/Capture speed, Battery Operation Time
Software