Thermal Imaging Survey - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: InfernoRougue3
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 02:49:55 pm
content: Hello everyone,I'm doing a class project about thermal cameras and how they are used in our daily lives. I'd like to hear from you guys on how effective they are when compared to normal cameras and what they are used for in general (photo gallery, taking pictures at night, etc.)The survey link is down below, it's a rather short one so it wont take too much of your time, thank you!https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdBrJq3Z9Kb0CQ5yfBCsHXp71wya6FZJiYT1XhjoMP9vZn_hg/viewform?usp=sf_link

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 03:52:55 pm
content: Hi and welcome.You may get a better response to your question by creating a thread on this forum asking people what they use their thermal imaging equipment for, rather than asking them to click a link and complete a survey held “off-forum”. People are pretty careful about clicking random links from people that they do not know. By creating a thread on this forum you also create discussion and a contribution to the community that may be seen by others, now, and in the future. The discussion of uses for thermal imaging systems may help others to make more use of the cameras that they own.Good luck with your class project.I mentioned a few uses for a modern dongle type mobile phone thermal camera in my P2 Pro thread.https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/infiray-and-their-p2-pro-discussion/Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 03:57:05 pm
content: Here is the list of some uses for a small dongle type thermal camera that I created to stimulate discussion on the subject……“ Continuing the discussion of the Infiray P2 and P2 Pro…..If you had such a compact thermal imaging device, what would you use it for ?Uses that come to mind, in no particular order, are :1. Home heating surveys of your home to seal air leaks and improve insulation in these times of increased fuel costs.2. Wildlife and pet observation (I cannot resist thermal imaging my cats)3 PCB thermal analysis for electronics design and repair4. Thermal analysis of a PC to check for hot spots due to poor air movement within the casing5. Artistic photography … this camera is so small that it will not attract attention when out and about in public.6. Automotive maintenance …. searching for faults that present a particular thermal signature. Such as warm fuses due to overload or unexpected current draw when a circuit is supposed to be unpowered.7. Thermography experiments to learn more about thermal imaging and what can effect measurements.8. Electric Solar panel inspection to check for poor connections or failing PV modules.9. Monitoring the temperature of batteries as they are fast charged, looking for cell anomalies.10. Monitoring the temperature of a PCB during a reflow operation.11. Thermal astronomy ? Much would depend upon the availability of a suitable LWIR capable telescope.12. Checking brake disk temperatures on a car to assess braking performance and potentially seized callipers.13. Science experiments to teach children/adults about thermal energy14. Veterinary care - observation of inflamed tissue with elevated temperatures15. Potential Search and Rescue (SAR) operations (within the capabilities of the camera and lens system)16. Thermal Bore-scope for inspecting inaccessible areas17. Monitoring the input and output ports of house radiators to check central heating system balance etc.18. Checking the thermal output of equipment that is in stand-by to see which are drawing significant power when “off”19. Checking soldering iron barrel (oxidised) temperature (a thermocouple at the tip is better though)20. Experiments with resistor wattages vs surface temperature and heat sink effectiveness in electronics21. In a modified form…. Intruder detection using webcam motion detection software22. Passive night vision using thermal signatures rather than traditional starlight or active IR illumination plus a night sight.23. Plumbing - pipe blockage detection & location. Leaking underfloor heating water pipe detection and location.24. Electric under floor heating inspection25. Blood circulation checks on human limbs ( knowledge of techniques required). Cold “digits” may indicate circulatory issues in some circumstances, such as Raynaud’s Disease.26. Illicit use of houses or rooms for growing unusual plant crops under artificial lighting and heatingLocal privacy laws apply !27. Creating a thermal microscope, with a supplemental lens, for biology examination. For example plant thermal distribution whilst growing or Insect wing muscle thermal profiling. Basically examining “bugs” in the thermal domain28. FUN ! Use it for whatever makes you happy”Note that I received nil response to my prompt for others to share their uses of such a camera. I hope you have better luck than me !There are professional uses of a thermal imaging camera that are not included in my list. These are mainly Industrial, Scientific or Military in nature and likely fall outside of your surveys scope as they are not consumer domain uses.

author: InfernoRougue3
author_rank: Newbie
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 04:13:28 pm
content: Thanks so much Fraser! This reply counts as a thread right?

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 05:25:11 pm
content: Yes you can use this thread for your data collection as its title is fine. I just fear you may not get a great deal of response to your Google doc survey so you may wish to recreate it in some format in this thread. Sadly the information you have asked for, though not onerous, may take more time than some are willing to give.You would likely need to offer more information about why you are collecting this information to encourage readers to “invest” time in your projects survey.Fraser

author: Fraser
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 08, 2022, 05:32:07 pm
content: I asked the question “what do you use thermal imaging equipment for?” some time ago……https://www.eevblog.com/forum/thermal-imaging/what-do-you-use-thermal-equipment-imaging-for/The responses may be of some interest but note that the response was somewhat limited in terms of respondents !Fraser

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 04:07:40 am
content: Just used my E4 today to troubleshoot the furnice. So I'd add HVAC applications to the list.

author: Bud
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: October 16, 2022, 04:09:29 am
content: The other use case is finding shorts on PCBs by applying small current to the circuit and looking for the hot spot.