Information
TG165 Imaging IR Thermometer – How it Works
Thermal imaging is one of the most powerful technologies ever developed
to enhance visual perception. The unaided human eye can only perceive a
very narrow band of visible light along the electromagnetic spectrum, which
also includes radio and microwaves, infrared and ultraviolet light, X-Rays, and
gamma rays.
Thermal energy—or “heat”—resides within the infrared spectrum, which
is invisible. However, a spot thermometer sensor is capable of converting
thermal energy into a temperature measurement, and a thermal imaging
detector converts thermal energy into an electronic thermal image that can be
viewed on an LCD screen.
The TG165 utilizes both of these types of infrared technology, simultaneously.
The spot thermometer emits a beam of infrared light that lands on an object
and then bounces back. The thermometer determines the object’s apparent
surface temperature based on how much thermal energy the object is
emitting, re ecting, or transmitting.
The TG165’s thermal imager, on the other hand, includes a micro thermal
camera that can passively scan an area and display images of hot and cold
patterns on an LCD screen. Being able to “see” infrared radiation creates an
entirely new level of awareness for professionals and consumers, alike. Users
no longer have to guess where to take temperature readings. They can literally
see hot and cold spots, making work more ef cient and reliable.
The TG165’s IR thermometer has a Distance‐to‐Spot ratio of 24:1. In other
words, from a distance of 24 inches (61 cm), the TG165 can measure the
temperature of a one-inch spot (2.5 cm). If you double the distance to 48
inches (122 cm) the spot diameter will expand to two inches (5 cm), and so on.
The amount of thermal energy emitted by an object depends upon its
temperature and how ef ciently it radiates thermal energy. This ef ciency
is called “emissivity.” Emissivity values range from 0.1 for very re ective
material—such as shiny metal—to 1.00 for a pipe with a at black nish. The
TG165 has both adjustable and preset emissivity settings, and the TG165 user’s
manual includes a list of common materials and their respective emissivity
factors as a quick reference for users who are not trained in thermography.
www.fl ir.com/TG165
FLIR TG165
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