Eight factors tell you how to choose an infrared thermal imager

 

    1. Pixels

 

    First of all, we need to determine the pixel level of the infrared thermal imager we are going to buy. The level of most infrared thermal imagers is related to the pixel. The pixel of a relatively high-end product among civilian infrared thermal imagers is 640*480=307,200. The infrared pictures taken by this high-end infrared thermal imager are clear and delicate, and the minimum size measured at 12 meters is 0.5*0.5cm; the pixel of a mid-range infrared thermal imager is 320*240=76,800, and the minimum size measured at 12 meters is 1*1cm; the pixel of a low-end infrared thermal imager is 160*120=19,200, and the minimum size measured at 12 meters is 2*2cm. It can be seen that the higher the pixel, the smaller the minimum size of the target that can be photographed.

 

    2. Temperature measurement range and object to be measured

 

    Determine the temperature range according to the temperature range of the object to be measured, and choose an infrared thermal imager with a suitable temperature range. Most infrared thermal imagers on the market are currently divided into several temperature ranges, such as -40-120℃0-500℃. The larger the temperature range, the better. The smaller the temperature range, the more accurate the temperature measurement will be. In addition, when an infrared thermal imager needs to measure objects above 500℃, it needs to be equipped with a corresponding high-temperature lens.

 

    3. Temperature resolution

 

    Temperature resolution reflects the temperature sensitivity of an infrared thermal imager. The smaller the temperature resolution, the more obvious the infrared thermal imager's perception of temperature changes. When choosing, try to choose a product with a small value of this parameter. The main purpose of infrared thermal imagers to test objects is to find temperature fault points through temperature differences. Measuring the temperature value of a single point is not very meaningful. It is mainly to find relative hot spots through temperature differences to play a role in pre-maintenance.

 

    4. Spatial resolution

 

    In simple terms, the smaller the spatial resolution value, the higher the spatial resolution and the more accurate the temperature measurement. When the spatial resolution value is smaller, the smallest target under test can cover the pixels of the infrared thermal imager, and the tested temperature is the real temperature of the target under test. If the spatial resolution value is larger, the spatial resolution is lower, the smallest target under test cannot completely cover the pixels of the infrared thermal imager, and the test target will be affected by the radiation of its environment. The test temperature is the average temperature of the target under test and its surrounding temperature, and the value is not accurate enough.

 

    The left picture has high spatial resolution, and the temperature of the measured point is more accurate; the right picture has low spatial resolution, and the test temperature is the average temperature of the measured point and its surrounding environment, so the temperature measurement is inaccurate.

 

    5. Temperature stability

 

    The core component of an infrared thermal imager is an infrared detector. Currently, there are two main types of detectors, namely vanadium oxide crystal and polycrystalline silicon detectors. The main advantage of vanadium oxide detectors is that the temperature measurement field of view (MFOV) is 1, and the temperature measurement is accurate to 1 pixel. Amorphous Silicon (polycrystalline silicon) sensor, MFOV is 9, that is, the temperature of each point is obtained based on the average of 3×3=9 pixels. Vanadium oxide detectors have good temperature stability, long life, and small temperature drift.

 

    6. Combined functions of infrared and visible light images

 

    If the infrared image and visible light image are displayed together, a lot of work will be reduced. The unknown hot spots in the infrared image can be judged based on the visible light image. At the same time, the automatic generation of reports will greatly reduce the operation time.

 

    7. After-sales service support and regular calibration

 

    Infrared thermal imagers need to be calibrated with a blackbody radiation calibration source every few years to ensure the accuracy of temperature detection, which requires suppliers to have strong after-sales capabilities and calibration service conditions. FLIR has opened branches in Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, and Chengdu in China, and has a Chinese after-sales service center in Shanghai to provide after-sales service and calibration services to Chinese customers.

 

    8. Professional training

 

    There are many operating skills in using infrared thermal imagers. Analyzing infrared images to improve production quality requires professional report support, which requires suppliers to provide professional and high-quality training. FLIR Infrared Training Center (ITC) offers courses in four major cities in China (Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, and Chengdu) every year, and ITC has opened training courses in more than 50 countries around the world, providing level 1, level 2, and level 3 courses, advanced application courses and online teaching courses, customized solutions and on-site services.