10 Uses And Applications For Thermal Image Camera

A camera is a device used to capture the images of your interest based on the amount of the visible light. Pictures taken without enough visible light always seem to dark and obscured. In the same way, thermal image cameras use the infrared radiation of an object to capture the scenes.

All objects emit infrared radiation in the form of heat. This heat produced is not same in all objects and these diverse heat radiations are termed as heat signatures.

These heat signatures are meticulously sensed by the sensor which itself is the thermal camera and sent to the electronic section which produces a clear picture about the eclipsed images in the dark backdrop. 

Although, thermal cameras are available in various expenses, what exactly is the difference between them? It is the focal length which is mentioned as f-number near the lens. Increase in the focal length of the lenses shall increase the clarity of the images.

 With a thermal camera of a superior focal length a clear image of the object beyond the normal perception is also possible. These thermal cameras are used in various applications which are of great support to humans. Let’s go through some practical applications of thermal imaging cameras in various fields.

1. Firefighting

Firefighting is a dangerous and valorous activity done by fire fighter’s to prevent the spread of the uncontrollable fire thereby protecting lives and property.

Thermo gears can be of great help for firefighters to examine the fire beneath various concealed areas like doors, cupboards, broken wooden materials. In some fire accidents, the fire seem to have subsided but there shall be lot of fuming embers building enough pressure to explode the entire location.

Thermo gears shall be of extreme support in such situations to detect the unseen temperatures thereby saving many lives and property. Moreover, after putting out the fire, rescuing the people trapped under various frayed and damaged items shall be easy with this thermal imaging camera.

2. Heat Leaks

Heat leaks occur in various types of industries, houses, pipelines, electrical outlets etc. Detecting this heat with eyes is not possible. At the same time, one cannot dare to touch any hotspot which can prove to be fatal.

Moreover, delayed response to heat leaks can also cause loss of lives and property. Industrial leaks shall be catastrophic if it is not discovered as fast as possible. Thermal imaging camera shall be a remedy to all these hassles by which you can find hot spots and leaks in no time. 

3. Health

The normal body temperature of human is 98.6 °F and this temperature is provided by the constant circulation of blood in its vessels. Abnormal temperature in the body can be a symptom of various sicknesses like SARS, bird flu, Ebola etc.

Usage of thermal imaging camera at the airports can be helpful in screening the passengers visiting our nation in order to prevent epidemic and pandemic diseases. Moreover, thermal imaging camera can also be used in diagnosing disorders in neck, limbs, back and various muscular, circulatory and skeletal problems.

4. Hunting

Hunting is a bold and exciting task which serves as a stress reliever. It also bestows people with an imitation of a military man at the first line of defense.

While guarding your house or any other property, you shall not be able to see anything in the dark and so you cannot hunt any animal invading your house or garden. Using thermal imaging cameras, you can witness any animal in the dark by detecting their heat signatures which makes hunting easier.

5. Camping

Camping is nothing but staying outside your home, very close to nature. Personal safety, fire safety plays a crucial role in camping. Invasion of wild animals is more prone while camping in the vicinity of the wildlife habitats.

 Defending you from those animals with naked eyes is almost useless. But thermal imaging camera can help you to tackle such animals by providing you a clear image about your environment. 

Moreover, concealed fuming embers in the campfires can also be properly put out using thermal imaging cameras when you are about to leave your campsite. 

6. Maritime navigation

The word maritime refers to something related with seas and navigation refers to movement. When a coastal ship is ferrying, looking for any other enemy vessel by using ordinary lenses does not seem to be decisive. There also possibilities for the enemy vessels to be camouflaged to escape from your sweep.

 But, thermal cameras with a standard f-number can easily detect the presence of another hot object in the sea. There are also thermal cameras which can be operated in both hot and cold mode to do the job at the night time.

7. Electrical issues

Heat and electricity are intimate and inseparable friends. An electric wire always produces heat as it travels through a wire but, naked human eyes can’t be helpful in detecting that heat.

Sometimes, there may improper power dissipation, hot and lose electrical connections and many other associated problems in your home which can be dangerous to handle.

 In such situations, thermal imaging camera allows you to see the presence of electricity by its images. Moreover, thermal imaging camera shall be very helpful to those who repair PCB boards to check the availability of power.

8. HVAC performance

As we know all electronic components, emit heat while they work. Transformers, Air conditioners, and compressors are made up tightly wound coils. These coils when supplied with enough electricity, produces flux which in turn does its assigned job.

 Sometimes, there shall be heavy loss of heat in the coil which may be due to electrical or mechanical disturbances. These disturbances hinder the performance of the system.

 But when, repairing those items, thermal imaging camera helps you very much to identify the exact point of the heat dissipation thereby making your job easier.

9. Road safety

In areas of dense vegetation, commuting in a car shall be hindered by the wild animals. When the car is travelling fast, the driver may not be able to see animal beyond the limit of the headlight causing severe accidents to the wild animals like foxes, wolves, and deer’s, etc.

 Thermal imaging camera is a fantastic solution to this issue as it can make the driver, see the animal far beyond several yards thereby preventing accidents. 

10. Aircrafts and hydraulics

Thermal imaging cameras are very much useful to detect the complication in hydraulics also. The temperature of the oil used in hydraulics can be monitored by a thermal imaging camera thereby detecting the blocks, breaks and worn outs in the hoses and cylinders.

Moreover, they are also used in detecting cracks, de-bonding in the fuselage of aircrafts too.