Product Glossary
1. What is Infrared?
Thermography and Infrared Light
 
Infrared light or thermography is the use of an infrared imaging and measurement camera to "see" and "measure" thermal energy emitted from an object. Thermal, or infrared energy, is light that is not visible because its wavelength is too long to be detected by the human eye; it's the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that we perceive as heat. Unlike visible light, in the infrared world, everything with a temperature above absolute zero emits heat. Even very cold objects, like ice cubes, emit infrared.

The higher the object's temperature, the greater the IR radiation emitted. Infrared allows us to see what our eyes cannot. Infrared thermography cameras produce images of invisible infrared or "heat" radiation and provide precise non-contact temperature measurement capabilities. Nearly everything gets hot before it fails, making infrared cameras extremely cost-effective, valuable diagnostic tools in many diverse applications. And as industry strives to improve manufacturing efficiencies, manage energy, improve product quality, and enhance worker safety, new applications for infrared cameras continually emerge. 

2. Why use thermal imaging?
Thermal imaging cameras are able to produce a crisp image in the darkest of nights. Thanks to special calibration, some thermal imaging cameras are also able to measure temperatures in a non-contact mode.

All this makes them extremely suitable for a wide variety of applications.

Thermal imaging cameras can help you save money. And even more importantly, thermal imaging cameras can help to save lives.
Industrial 
In industrial environments thermal imaging is being used for finding hot-spots that can lead to failures in electrical and mechanical installations.  Electrical cabinets and motor control centers are regularly scanned with a thermal imaging camera. By detecting anomalies at an early stage production breakdowns can be avoided and money can be saved. 
Building 
Building professionals look for insulation losses and other building related defects with a thermal imaging camera. Finding insulation losses and repairing them can mean huge energy savings.
Commercial security 
Our security customers benefit from thermal imaging cameras because they help them to secure facilities like ports, airports, nuclear facilities, warehouses, estates and many more against intruders.
R&D 
Thermal imaging also plays a pivotal role in both applied and fundamental R&D. It can speed up the design cycle so that products can go to market faster.
Transportation 
Thermal imaging cameras are installed in cars for driver vision enhancement. They help the driver to see up to 4 times further than headlights. They are also installed in specialty vehicles such as fire-trucks, mining and military vehicles.
Gas detection 
Gas leaks can also be detected seamlessly with a thermal imaging camera.
Outdoor 
Outdoor enthusiasts can see clearly at night with the help of a thermal imaging camera.
Firefighting 
Firefighters are able to see through smoke. It helps them to find victims in a smoke filled room and also to see if fires are well extinguished. It helps them to save lives.

3. Why measure temperature?

Infrared and Temperature Measurement
Finding a problem with an infrared camera is sometimes not enough. In fact, an infrared camera image alone without accurate temperature measurements says very little about the condition of an electrical connection or worn mechanical part. Many electrical targets are operating properly at temperatures that are significantly above ambient. An infrared image without measurement can be misleading because it may visually suggest a problem that does not exist.

Predictive Maintenance
Infrared cameras that incorporate temperature measurement allow predictive maintenance professionals to make well informed judgments about the operating condition of electrical and mechanical targets. Temperature measurements can be compared with historical operating temperatures, or with infrared readings of similar equipment at the same time, to determine if a significant temperature rise will compromise component reliability or plant safety.

Find problems faster and easier with extreme accuracy.
It is easy to miss a critical building problem if you are only using a spot IR thermometer. A thermal imaging camera will give you a total view of the situation and instant diagnostic insights. It not only locates a construction problem in a building but shows the full extent of problems