What is an infrared camera?
Infrared cameras are also known as thermal imaging cameras or thermographic cameras. They are cameras that capture images in the infrared section of the electromagnetic spectrum. Infrared is the light that comes just after red in the spectrum. It is the light we feel as warmth from, say, a fireplace or sunlight.
Infrared camera applications
Infrared cameras have a wide range of applications. For example, they are used extensively in the metal, plastics and glass industries, and for inspecting solar panels and field crops. They are also used for fire prevention in buildings, process monitoring, research purposes and much more besides.
Infrared cameras can immediately see hot and cold spots, and they can identify differences in temperature relative to previous readings. They make it is easy to spot when cells on solar panels are defective. Farmers can check whether their field crops are healthy and the fire brigade can see at a glance if a building’s temperature is too high.
Thermal imaging cameras are also used in production processes, for example, to provide an early warning of a plant’s potentially deteriorating condition. If, say, machinery is overloaded, this can be seen in the heat that is radiated from certain points of it. Thermal imaging cameras can also be used for the early detection of overloaded cables, floors and other components.
Infrared camera offering
The infrared cameras offered by Pedak come in a wide range of types and sizes for the contact-free temperature measurement of metals, asphalt, textiles, glass, solar panels, food, plastics, paper, etc.
The scope of the cameras ranges from -20°C to +1800°C. Thermal imaging cameras can operate in temperatures of up to about 250°C without a cooling element. This means they can easily be fitted into dryers, ovens, freezing tunnels, semiconductors and welding machines.
Pedak stocks a wide range of infrared temperature sensors from the renowned German brand Optris. There are four types of temperature meters: infrared cameras, infrared sensors, body temperature thermometers and blackbody calibrators.
There are also handheld thermometers for non-contact temperature measurement. These are multi-purpose devices for inspection and preventive maintenance of air-conditioning, electrical and mechanical equipment, etc.
Characteristics of infrared cameras
Ultrafast: Our fast infrared cameras can measure precise temperature differences on surfaces with a measuring interval of just one millisecond.
Automatic hotspot search: Objects undergo thermographic analysis and hot or cold spots are detected automatically.
Handheld and permanent setup: Optris thermal imaging cameras bridge the gap between portable infrared ‘snapshot’ cameras and purely permanent setups. Examples of applications include process automation, test stations, research & development, and mobile measurements.
Simple process integration: Advanced interface concepts enable easy integration into existing or new networks and automated systems.
