What is a thermal imager for?

What is it and how does it work?

First, let's figure out how the thermal imager functions. The principle of operation of the device is based on the fact that it captures the thermal radiation of an object, which falls mainly on the infrared spectrum, which is not visible to humans. And with the help of special optics (from a material such as germanium or its more affordable analogues), a picture is projected, where the different temperature of an object or object corresponds to its own colour gamut.

As a result, it becomes possible to see what is not available to human vision. That is why, for example, hunting with a thermal imager is possible at night, in fog, and in a heavy snowstorm. Plus, modern models allow you to analyze temperature values with a tolerance of 0.1 degrees Celsius, which is important for accurate measurements, safety and control of various production processes.

So, a thermal imager is a device that visualizes thermal radiation and its distribution, allows you to see a picture of objects in the spectrum that is not visible to human vision.

Types of thermal imagers:

• Observant. They provide only visualization of thermal radiation. This group includes a military thermal imager, models for hunting, rescue operations, etc.
• Measuring. They not only display a picture, but also determine the exact temperature values of all observation objects. In fact, this is an observational thermal imager and a non-contact thermometer in one device. They are used in construction, medicine, industry, energy.
• Visual. A simplified version of the measuring equipment. Such devices show zones with deviations from normal temperatures. They are used in the field of art, technical diagnostics, as well as energy and construction, when a superficial analysis is sufficient.

For military purposes and hunting

Modern surveillance thermal imagers are used as night vision devices (NVD). They are used by hunters and the armed forces to detect targets with contrasting temperature radiation (animals and birds, manpower, armored vehicles).

A modern thermal imager for hunting or military operations can have various form factors: a monocular, binoculars, an attachment-sight for small arms.

Advantages against the background of conventional night vision devices that enhance low-visibility light:

• efficiency at any time of the day, not just at night;
• recognition in conditions of poor visibility, bright oncoming light;
• target detection despite the presence of camouflage and disguise.

Usefulness decreases only in extreme heat.

Construction and thermal insulation

Devices with thermal imaging sensors are widely used in the construction industry. Outwardly, these devices differ from monoculars and binoculars. Usually they resemble amateur video cameras or cameras, have a display, sometimes equipped with a tripod-like handle.

With an infrared imaging device, you can:

• find areas of heat loss of the building;
• evaluate the tightness and thermal insulation properties of walls, floors, roofs, windows;
• check the quality of building materials and insulation;
• identify faults in electrical wiring, water supply networks, and other engineering communications.

Today, it is not uncommon for specialized firms and individuals to buy a thermal imager for energy audits, offering heat leak detection services, for example, to reduce heating costs.

Medical purposes

Equipment with thermal imaging sensors is in demand in diagnostic medicine. It is used in neurosurgery, oncology (to detect malignant tumors), pediatrics, to detect inflammatory processes, etc.

At the end of the 2000s, thermal imagers became one of the essential tools for epidemiologists. With their help, groups of people are detected (for example, in transport, public places) infected with influenza and other diseases accompanied by elevated body temperature.

Where and by whom else are thermal imagers used?

The scope of application is only becoming wider, and the thermal imagers themselves are being improved in terms of ease of use, expansion of the measuring range and accuracy of analysis. Here are the most common areas of use:

• Rescue operations and firefighting. They help to identify sources of fire, evacuation routes, and find victims.
• Work with electrical equipment, from printed circuit boards to generators, power transformers, power lines. Allows you to detect broken contacts.
• Energy. To check the operation of equipment (boilers, heat exchangers).
• Metallurgy. Thermal imagers help monitor the temperature regimes of machine tools and blast furnaces. Special models are used that analyze temperatures up to 1000 degrees and more.
• In production (in petrochemistry, petrochemistry, shipbuilding, automotive and glass industries). They are mainly used to control temperature parameters.
• In art. To identify defects in frescoes, assess the general condition of paintings, paintings, etc.