Thermal imager OR thermometer foolishly confused? Clarify your thoughts and take you to understand the difference between them
Are the "twin brothers" infrared thermal imaging cameras and infrared thermometers the same thing? The answer is: no! The names are similar but the working principles and functions are quite different. In order to understand them clearly and intuitively, we have compiled some information, let's take a look
NO.1
Infrared thermal imager: It can directly and completely measure the surface temperature of the object to be measured, and at the same time, it can also convert the energy distribution map of infrared radiation into a thermal image, which can be displayed intuitively and clearly for easy viewing.
Infrared thermometer: When measuring an object, it can only measure one point. It can be considered as a thermal imager with only one pixel, so it displays the temperature measurement value of a single point on the target.
TIP: When you know the exact location for a close-up inspection, an infrared thermometer is your first priority: affordable and with great performance. In the following situations, it is recommended to give priority to thermal imaging cameras.
NO.2 Carry out small target measurement
The spot size of infrared thermometers also limits the ability to measure the temperature of small objects at close range. However, when measuring extremely small components, an infrared thermal imager with a close-up optical element (macro lens) needs to be able to focus to a spot size of less than 5μm per pixel, which is more conducive to the accurate measurement of the object to be measured.
NO.3 Carry out long-distance measurement
The distance factor ratio (D:S ratio) can determine how far (measurement distance) you are from a target of a certain size (spot size), and still accurately measure the target temperature. Most digital thermal imagers have a much higher distance factor than infrared thermometers. Commonly used infrared thermometers can generally measure 1 cm diameter targets at distances between 10 and 50 cm. But compared to most digital thermal imagers, they can accurately measure the temperature of a target with a diameter of 1 cm from a few meters away.
NO.4 FLIR's choice of infrared thermal imaging cameras
In the test of small components and long-distance cameras that need to quickly scan a large area, infrared thermal imaging cameras are more suitable. To improve work efficiency while ensuring safety, FLIR thermal imaging cameras can scan an entire motor, component or panel at once, without missing any risk of overheating. FLIR thermal imaging cameras can be used for a wide variety of purposes.
