When you hear the words “thermal imaging” what usually comes to mind? It will be different for people depending on where you heard it first. For example, some people will associate it with hunting because they have heard other hunters say that they sometimes use thermal imaging to detect where animals are. Other people would associate it with the military because this was where this technology was first used.
Visualizing Heat Technology
If you would be asked to visualize heat, will you be able to answer? Most people would not be able to provide some answers. In their opinion, it will be hard to draw heat. Those who are more familiar with thermal imaging will have an idea about what colors they can use to represent temperature.
You have seen a lot of people provide a color scale for certain areas. Some areas may be hit by rain which means that the color of this is going to be different from areas where the temperature is hotter.
Take note that the type of camera that is being used will make some changes to the type of images that you will see. You can have a standard thermal clip-on but remember that the thermal imaging devices that are used by professionals will give clearer images.
Looking at a Thermal Image
It can be easier to understand technology when you know how a thermal image looks like. Thermal images will show shapes and will also indicate different colors depending on the heat or the temperature in that specific area. For example, if you would try using a thermal imaging camera on an animal, you will see what areas of the animal are giving off more heat. Most animals would probably give off more heat when it growls or through their ears. The colors are going to be different throughout the body of the living thing.
This is also the same for human beings. Those who are in the medical field would make use of thermal imaging to determine the differences in temperature within the human body. The temperature will indicate what people are looking for.
There are instances when thermal images are hard to decipher. This is because it does not “see” the items that are within the camera’s sight. Rather, it would detect the heat being released by the objects. It would create shapes based on this detail. This is going to be different from a night vision camera that will just enhance the surroundings so that you can see better at night. At times, thermal images may look just like lumps that are hard to differentiate from each other. Once again, the quality of the cameras will make a huge difference in the images that you will see.
Different Color Representations
Now that you have a better idea about thermal imaging and how it works, you should know more about the different colors that are being shown on the images. The great thing about thermal imaging cameras is you can change the settings depending on how you want it to work. You can even assign the colors depending on the temperature that will be recorded.
This means that you will have the power to create the colors that will be shown on the thermal image. You just need to memorize the temperatures that you have set for each color that you have chosen. Most people would choose red to show high temperatures but you can change that up if you think that it is confusing.
The standard colors that people follow are the following:
- Green – This represents room temperature.
- Yellow – This shows that the object is slightly warm.
- Orange – This shows that the object has a slightly elevated temperature
- Red – This shows that the object has a high temperature
Take note that different colors may show up in just one object. Most living things would have different temperatures throughout their body. For example, if a person is eating something spicy, the temperature in some parts of the body, particularly those that are connected to the digestive system may show elevated temperature as compared to those that are not affected at all.
What About Black and White Thermal Images?
What if the thermal imaging camera you have only show black and white images? There is no need to worry because you can still determine differences in the temperature. Usually, darker colors are going to be hotter. The darker the item may be, the hotter the temperature of the object that you are looking at.
Where Can Thermography Cameras Be Purchased?
It will depend on how you plan to use your thermography cameras. There aren’t a lot of thermal imaging cameras that are used yet for security purposes so you may not be able to get one when you go to stores that sell CCTV cameras and the like. Some thermal imaging cameras can be purchased from stores that sell some items used for protection.
Different stores are available online that may sell thermography cameras. Just make sure that you will research the different products beforehand. You do not want to end up with an item that does not work, right? The clearer the images that you will get, the better.
