Which camera?

In recent years, a huge range of infrared cameras has come on to the market for applications including condition monitoring, predictive maintenance, energy efficiency, gas detection and research.

Technical advances in this area of technology have also resulted in extremely sensitive cameras with enormous capability, notes Alan Hasson from instrumentation company Ashtead Technology, based in Letchworth, Hertfordshire.

A downside, though, is that choosing a camera can be a complicated process, with the choice often simply dictated by price and budget, according to Hasson.

“Too often people simply buy the best piece of kit they can afford without thinking too deeply about what would suit them best,” he explains. “This is understandable, because they often won’t know what they need until they start using the equipment.”

When selecting a camera, Hasson advises: “Length of project, battery life and temperature range are among the most important issues to consider. There are simple applications for which it is only necessary to identify cold or hot spots, so an entry-level device, such as the compact I-60 weighing just 0.58kg, is the most cost-effective.

“However, professional thermographers require greater detail, resolution and features, such as the facility to take visual images and to record audio notes with the same instrument. Mid-level instruments from the B and T series are therefore necessary.

“At the top end of the market, the most advanced thermal cameras offer incredible levels of resolution; one device, for example, features a high-resolution 640 x 480 infrared sensor and a large 14cm LCD display, making it ideal for in-depth research projects.

Overall, Hasson concludes, the best approach is to work with suppliers offering a large fleet of the latest technologies, a high level of technical support and, if required, a range of financial packages.