An infrared thermal camera refers to a non-contact device that detects infrared energy or heat, which is then converted to a visual image. It is far more different from your traditional camera.

A regular camera works in such a way that the visible light energy hits a surface, bounces and a detector will receive the reflected light to turn it into an image. On the other hand, infrared thermal cameras create pictures from heat and not visible light.

Both light and heat are parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. But the main difference is that a regular camera won’t be able to detect thermal energy. With thermal cameras, images are created using digital and analog video outputs from the captured infrared energy.

What Is Thermal Energy?

As you must know, everything on this planet emits thermal energy. When something is hotter, there will be more thermal energy or what we refer to as the “heat signature.” So, for example, if there are multiple things that are closed together, the thermal images will show up differently even with the same lighting conditions.

What’s Inside the Infrared Thermal Cameras?

Ever wondered what makes an infrared thermal camera?

This device is made up of the following:

• Lens
• Thermal sensor
• Processing electronics
• Mechanical housing

The resolution of the camera varies and it could come in 80 x 60 to 1280 x 1024 pixels. Some are even higher.

Where Do You Use Infrared Thermal Cameras?

Infrared thermal cameras have a lot of uses. At first, it was intended for military and surveillance operations. However, these are now used for other purposes, including building and industrial inspections, scientific research, and skin temperature screening.

Speaking of which, let’s talk about how these devices can be used to measure the temperatures within your business premise.

Keep Your Business Safe With Infrared Thermal Cameras

The pandemic has hit most, if not all, industries around the globe. Recently, everyone has been trying to get back on their feet by opening their businesses little by little. While it is an understandable action, we should always be on guard because COVID-19 is still very much rampant. Taking preventive measures is necessary, especially if you are operating an enterprise.

This is where infrared thermal cameras can help you. But there is still more to know about these devices. It’s best to educate yourself so you can manage your expectations and even create better plans when you reopen your establishments.

Screen Your Employees Temperatures

With an infrared thermal camera, you can easily detect employees who might be sick. As we all know, fever is one of the common symptoms of COVID-19. However, this isn’t 100% guaranteed that your establishment will be COVID-free. There are patients who could be asymptomatic, and they may not have a fever at all.

As always, encourage your employees to practice social distancing, proper hand hygiene, and wear a face mask.

The beauty of infrared thermal cameras is you can check one’s temperature without standing too close to them. It means the risk of contracting the virus is much less.

Which Infrared Thermal Camera Is Ideal for Your Business?

Handheld infrared thermometers are considered the most cost-efficient by many business owners because they are portable and easy to use. Perhaps you would want to use this too. However, you need to understand that these types of thermometers must be assigned to someone, and that person must only be a few feet away from the one being scanned.

Having said that, consider using standalone infrared thermal cameras. No one is required to be near other people, plus it can scan multiple persons simultaneously. There are also portable thermal cameras that can be attached to a tripod.

Another consideration is the capacity of your infrared thermal cameras. Does your establishment have high foot traffic? If yes, high traffic density thermal cameras are the best. Often, these are automated. On the other hand, if your requirement isn’t that big, you can always choose the lower-tiered cameras that require manual surveillance.

Factors To Consider When Buying Infrared Thermal Cameras

Here are a few key factors to consider before getting your company’s thermal camera.

Field of View

The Field of View is the extent that your camera could see at a time. There are infrared thermal cameras that are ideal for close-ups, and there are models which can be used for longer distances.

Range

The range refers to the span of temperatures that your thermal camera can measure. You have to determine the temperatures you are likely to encounter. Take note that the higher temperature range is best for industrial applications.

IR Resolution

When we talk about resolution, this is the pixels that your camera has. If it has a higher resolution, the image you’ll get will have more information and detail. This means you would have an accurate measurement.

Connectivity

We recommend getting an infrared thermal camera that can easily be connected to Wi-Fi. This will allow you to share information right away. Bear in mind that the virus spreads fast, and we need to be as efficient as possible.

Warranty

Find an infrared thermal camera that has a comprehensive and extended warranty. This removes your worries in case your device prematurely fails. Likewise, choose a brand where their after-sales support is highly recommended.

Get Your Infrared Thermal Camera From a Reputable Supplier

At the height of the pandemic, many manufacturers launched their own infrared thermal cameras. For some, that’s a good thing considering the demand. However, you need to be cautious as there are many low-quality thermal cameras available practically anywhere. These will only last a few months and you will need to get a new one.

As always, get your device from a reputable manufacturer or supplier like Well Health Works.

Word of Caution

While infrared thermal cameras effectively screen people with higher temperatures, your company should be more proactive in fighting COVID-19. Always remind your employees to stay at home at the first signs of symptoms. The same goes for people who had close contact with COVID-19 patients.

At the end of the day, we need to be responsible if we want to stop this pandemic.

Contact Well Health Works Today!

Over the years, we’ve helped many companies create wellness programs for their employees. It’s time that you consider having one too. Call us at 833-935-9355 or send a message at info@wellhealthworks.com.