A thermal imaging camera is a thermographic device used to measure surface temperature differences, aiding in the identification of fire hazards and visualizing heat through infrared rays. It is designed for handheld use or can be helmet-mounted, constructed from heat and water-resistant materials, and features a display for real-time infrared output. Applications include helping firefighters locate sources of fire, inspecting electrical systems, and detecting thermal patterns in various settings.

1. WHAT IS A THERMAL
IMAGING CAMERA?

2. What Is Thermal Imaging Camera
The thermal imaging camera is a type of
thermographic camera that helps in measuring
the temperature differences of a surface. This
helps in identifying any potential fire hazards.
The areas with different temperatures are
pictorially represented.
Thermographic cameras form the image with the
help of infrared rays. They work similar to the
normal camera but use infrared instead of
normal light rays.

3. How It Works
The infrared radiation enables the firefighters to
keep a watch on areas of heat beyond the
darkness and smoke and other such heat-
permitting barriers.
The thermal imaging camera is a device that is
designed to be held by hand, but it can also be
mounted on the helmet using an attachment.

4. What It Is Made Of
The thermal imaging camera is constructed
using certain heat and water-resistant materials.
These make it withstand rugged conditions and
even fire hazards.
The camera comprises of an optical system, a
detector, an amplifier and a signal processing
device. Completing it, is a wide display as well.

5. Features of the Camera
The heat-resistant and waterproof parts function
together in rendering the infrared radiations
exhibited by hot surfaces into visible normal light
at real time. The camera is capable of displaying
infrared output too. Two objects with similar
temperatures would appear to be of the same
colour.
Some thermal imaging cameras make use of
grayscale representation of the normal
temperature of objects and highlight the
extremely hot surfaces in other colours.

6. Uses
The ability of the thermal
imaging camera to see through
dark areas and dense smoke
makes it a boon for the
firefighters in identifying the
main source of fire.
They are used to rescue
victims caught in fire accidents,
spot smoldering fire bursts
inside walls, and even
detection of overheated wiring.

7. Other Uses
Thermal imaging camera is used for:
 Electrical inspection of substations.
 Determining thermal heat loss of the buildings.
 Locating radiant heating wires or pipes.
 Detecting a thermal pattern for the boiler tubes.
 Detecting insulation leaks in refrigerators.

8. Interpreting images
Though the usage of
thermal imaging camera is simple,
yet making an interpretation of the
image that is captured requires
some skills. For a new user, the
camera comes with adjustments
for better focus, emission setting,
temperature setting and thermal
tuning. Adjusting these can help in
comprehending the image
developed by the camera.