What Is Thermal Imaging?

Traditionally, most light intensifying, night vision devices have the ability to create images from reflected lights of objects. This implies that the quality of any image produced by such devices significantly depends on the constant presence of ambient light such as moonlight or starlight. To this end, this technology will not work effectively in complete darkness.

But on the other hand, thermal imaging devices make use of the Thermal Infrared Spectrum to create images. This refers to light that is not reflected but one that is simply being emitted by an object. Thermal devices use infrared energy as heat to create images. This heat, which is usually being presented in the form of IR light, is created as a result of the movement of atomic particles in all objects.

As result, it does not only enable users to make use of the thermal imaging devices even in complete darkness, it also allows them to see through camouflage, foliage, light fog, dust, and smoke. These devices work by “seeing” the heat energy from objects. It is important to note that all objects – both living and nonliving – possess heat energy that thermal imaging devices can use to detect an image. This is why these imaging devices can be used at any time even in total darkness.

Thermal images usually look distinctively different from what the eye can see or what is seen by a visible camera. This is because thermal imaging devices have cameras that operate by “seeing” heat instead of reflected light. Thermal cameras are designed with the ability to convert the temperature of objects into colors that are lighter or darker than the background, so as to be able to present heat in an appropriate format for human vision.

This progressive series of shades is known as “shades of gray.” On a hot day an individual appears to be darker because he is cooler than the background, however, on a cold day, he stands to be lighter because he is hotter than the background.

At night, people tend to stand out and appear brighter than the background even in zero light simply because they are well emphasized during this time. It is important to understand that under ideal conditions, night background objects seem to be cooler than a person at 98.6 degrees. It is for this same reason that thermal imaging devices have become a perfect choice instrument for seeing through the dark.

When using a thermal imaging device during challenging weather conditions or complete darkness, it becomes very easy to see the unseen. Thermal imaging technology helps to reveal what would have otherwise been invisible to the naked eye by detecting very subtle temperature differences of everything in view.

If you are interested in learning more about thermal imagining devices, please contact South Country Home Inspection.