Infrared thermal imaging cameras and equipment can sense heat (thermal radiation) and depict the thermal signatures as an image on a screen. They have long been used in the military and for predictive maintenance in electrical systems (hot-spot scans) and buildings (for heat loss detection) and other uses.
In the past the systems have been expensive but “budget” thermal imaging system that can measure temperature are also available that may be an extra tool that a gardener may find useful. I will show some infrared images with comparison of higher end and cheaper thermal imagers. Thermal imagers are also available as an attachment to most smart phones.
At the time of this posting this thermal imager (above- FLIR model TG165) was priced at $450 (Canadian dollars). The images below identified as “Budget” were taken with this device (I know, still pricey). This thermal imager is easy to operate and was able to complete the tasks of commercial imagers in the examples below however the thermal image resolution is low and the temperature measuring spot area is small. You need to hold it very steady to obtain an accurate reading of where you want to measure.
Measure plant or grow medium temperatures. When used correctly, the temperature at any point in a thermal image can be measured very accurately (commercial thermal imager shown directly below- 2 examples).
Budget thermal imager example
Check equipment operating temperatures (commercial thermal imager shown directly below).
Budget thermal imager example
Check electrical connections for hot-spots. Poor electrical connections produce heat (commercial thermal imager shown directly below)
Budget thermal imager example
At the time of this posting this thermal imager (above- FLIR model TG165) was priced at $450 (Canadian dollars). The images below identified as “Budget” were taken with this device (I know, still pricey). This thermal imager is easy to operate and was able to complete the tasks of commercial imagers in the examples below however the thermal image resolution is low and the temperature measuring spot area is small. You need to hold it very steady to obtain an accurate reading of where you want to measure.
Measure plant or grow medium temperatures. When used correctly, the temperature at any point in a thermal image can be measured very accurately (commercial thermal imager shown directly below- 2 examples).
Budget thermal imager example
Check equipment operating temperatures (commercial thermal imager shown directly below).
Budget thermal imager example
Check electrical connections for hot-spots. Poor electrical connections produce heat (commercial thermal imager shown directly below)
Budget thermal imager example
