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3.1: Introduction

  • Page ID
    57823
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    Infrared thermography detects infrared (IR) radiation emitted by objects due to their temperature. All objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit electromagnetic radiation. The amount and characteristics of this radiation depend primarily on the object’s temperature and surface properties.

    An infrared camera does not measure temperature directly. Instead, it detects infrared radiation emitted from a surface and converts it into an image representing apparent surface temperature differences.

    Understanding basic infrared theory helps Level I thermographers:

    • Properly configure equipment
    • Recognize valid thermal patterns
    • Avoid common measurement errors
    • Understand the limits of infrared measurements

    This page titled 3.1: Introduction is shared under a CC BY-SA 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jay Seidel.