Thermal imaging cameras have been around for some time. Fluke's, Hikmicro's, and Teledyne FLIR's new and improved collections of cameras cater for all users and all budgets; so now is a great time to review what's new and add one to your toolbox.
Quick Links
- How Do Thermal Cameras Work?
- Detect Dodgy Components Earlier
- Find Faults Faster
- Uncover Issues While Maintaining Uptime
- Which Thermal Camera is Right for You?
- Further Information
How Do Thermal Cameras Work?
Thermal cameras detect infrared energy. They convert this into a thermal image allowing you to see the distribution of heat throughout the scene. This is particularly useful for electricians as it allows you to see equipment that has failed or is on the brink of failing. For example, a component that has ceased to work may not heat up in the same way as functioning elements. This piece may appear as a cold spot on the thermal image, allowing you to identify it quickly. Conversely, a component that is about to fail may begin to overheat; it will be hotter than the surrounding pieces and will appear as a hotspot on the thermal picture. Again, you can quickly identify the faulty component using thermal imaging.
For electricians owning a thermal camera has so many benefits. Here are just three…
Detect Dodgy Components Earlier
With thermal imaging, you can easily see hot spots. This allows you to investigate the source of overheating before it results in failure or breakdown. Using a handheld thermal imaging camera, electricians can easily scan electrical installations to investigate possible problems before breakdown occurs. Catching potential problems early can significantly reduce repair costs and minimise or eradicate loss of profits resulting from unscheduled downtime.
Find Faults Faster
Thermal cameras make investigative work so much simpler, quicker, and more precise than manually troubleshooting and locating the problem. You can use thermal cameras to scan over fuses, switchgear, breaker panels, electrical connections, wires, and sockets to get an instant thermal image of the area which will indicate where hotspots or cold spots are hiding. As a result, you can both pinpoint and diagnose faults more easily and efficiently.
Uncover Issues While Maintaining Uptime
Using a thermal camera, you can inspect equipment/systems while they are still powered up as you don't have to touch the instrument/installation during the inspection. This means you maintain uptime while conducting maintenance routines and/or troubleshooting, allowing you to continue maximising profits.
Which Thermal Camera is Right for You?
Thermal cameras are ergonomic, easy to use, and can save you hours of investigative work. These days thermal brands, such as Fluke, Hikmicro, and Teledyne FLIR, cater for a wide variety of budgets so you don’t have to spend lots to reap the benefits of thermal imaging. Even entry models are packed full of features, including some usually found on higher-end cameras.
If you are contemplating a purchase, Teledyne FLIR has created a helpful guide to choosing a suitable, future-proof, and cost-effective thermal camera. Download the twelve-point guide below.
Teledyne FLIR’s 12 Things to Consider Before Buying an Infrared Camera
In the meantime, we’ve put together a selection of thermal cameras that are popular with electrical contractors. Check out some of their key specifications below.
Fluke
Fluke PTi120 Pocket Thermal Camera
- Price: from £589.95 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 120px x 90px
- Thermal sensitivity: 60mk
- Frame rate: 9Hz
- Additional features: radiometric, IR-Fusion technology, 6x thermal palettes
- Full Specs Here
Fluke TiS55+ Thermal Camera
- Price: from £2295 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 256px x 192px
- Thermal sensitivity: 40mk
- Frame rate: 9Hz or 27Hz
- Additional features: 6x thermal palettes, PiP mode, asset-tagging, Fluke Connect enabled
- Full Specs Here
Fluke TiS60+ Thermal Camera
- Price: from £2499 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 320px x 240px
- Thermal sensitivity: 45mk
- Frame rate: 9Hz or 27Hz
- Additional features: IR-Fusion technology, IR PhotoNotes, Fluke Connect enabled
- Full Specs Here
Hikmicro
Hikmicro M11 Handheld Thermal Camera
- Price: from £889 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 192px x 144px
- Thermal sensitivity: 40mk
- Frame rate: 25Hz
- Additional features: Optical, Thermal, Fusion, and PiP modes; 7x thermal palettes, LED torch
- Full Specs Here
Hikmicro M30 Handheld Thermal Camera
- Price: from £2150 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 384px x 288px
- Thermal sensitivity: 35mk
- Frame rate: 25Hz
- Additional features: Optical, Thermal, and Fusion modes; multiple thermal palettes, alarm function, LED torch
- Full Specs Here
Teledyne FLIR
FLIR E6 Pro Thermal Camera
- Price: from £1949 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 240px x 180px
- Thermal sensitivity: 50mk
- Frame rate: 9Hz
- Additional features: MSX imaging, PiP mode, built-in Wi-Fi
- Full Specs Here
FLIR E8 Pro Thermal Camera
- Price: from £2899 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 320px x 240px
- Thermal sensitivity: 50mk
- Frame rate: 9Hz
- Additional features: MSX imaging, PiP mode, three thermal palettes, built-in Wi-Fi
- Full Specs Here
FLIR E86 Advanced Thermal Camera
- Price: from £8749 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 464px x 348px
- Thermal sensitivity: 30mk
- Frame rate: 30Hz
- Additional features: interchangeable AutoCal lenses, MSX imaging, UltraMax Enhancement function, Inspection Route Camera function, built-in Wi-Fi
- Full Specs Here
FLIR E96 Advanced Thermal Camera
- Price: from £10 499 (ex VAT)
- IR resolution: 640px x 480px
- Thermal sensitivity: 30mk
- Frame rate: 30Hz
- Additional features: interchangeable AutoCal lenses, MSX imaging, UltraMax Enhancement function, Inspection Route Camera function, built-in Wi-Fi and GPS
- Full Specs Here
Further Information
For more help and advice regarding any of our thermal imaging cameras, please contact our Sales team on 01642 931 329 or via our online form.
Alternatively, please browse our extensive selection of Fluke, Hikmicro, and Teledyne FLIR thermal cameras designed for electrical and mechanical applications.
