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What is Thermal Imaging?
Thermal imaging is a non-contact sensing technology that detects infrared (IR) radiation emitted by objects and converts it into a visual image representing surface temperature differences.
How it works
All objects above absolute zero emit infrared energy.
A thermal camera measures this emitted radiation (typically in the 8-14 µm wavelength range). The camera translates the data into a thermogram, where different colors or shades correspond to different temperatures.
What thermal imaging shows is relative temperature differences, not exact internal temperatures. And, heat patterns caused by conduction, convection, radiation, or electrical resistance. Anomalies that indicate abnormal conditions are identified.
Common applications:
(1) Building inspections: insulation voids, air leakage, moisture intrusion, flat-roof leaks.
(2) Electrical inspections: overheated breakers, loose connections, overloaded circuits, failing switchgear.
(3) Mechanical systems: bearing wear, motor overheating, belt misalignment.
(4) Firefighting & safety: locating hotspots or people in smoke.
(5) Medical & research: surface blood-flow patterns (screening, not diagnosis).
Key advantages:
(1) Non-destructive and non-invasive.
(2) Works in darkness or smoke.
(3) Enables early fault detection before visible failure
Important limitations
(1) Measures surface temperature only
(2) Accuracy depends on emissivity, distance, angle, and environmental conditions
(3) Cannot see through walls-only temperature effects on the surface
In short, thermal imaging is a way to see heat patterns, allowing inspectors and technicians to identify problems that are invisible to the naked eye.
