Word is out that FLIR has announced the new Extech i5 camera for just under $3000. I have not seen the specs yet but it has an 80x80 array, fixed focus and a limited temperature range. While it is being advertised in some home inspection catalogs, a mistake in my opinion, it seems much better suited to close range condition monitoring work. Clearly this won't be a product for everyone but it WILL open up new parts of the market and challenge others, including training companies like ours, in new ways.

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

The Press Release is:

"Waltham, MA — Extech Instruments (a FLIR company) has introduced the Extech i5 compact IR camera, an easy-to-use, affordable trouble-shooting tool for high quality thermal imaging, high accuracy, focus free viewing, with a 5000 image miniSD card storage. The lightweight unit is able to monitor and detect the thermal condition of electrical system components to address problem areas before failures occur.

It can inspect areas that can't be reached with thermocouples or other contact-based instruments. High resolution thermal images instantly pinpoint problems in need of repair, critical for condition monitoring of thermally sensitive targets. The instrument reportedly delivers high accuracy of 2 percent and thermal sensitivity of 0.18°F/0.1°C, which provides compliance to NETA testing requirements.

The i5 allows users to check for overheating in electrical panels and transformers, to spot electrical faults before it is too late, and to identify faults in cooling and heating systems, and problems with motors, fans and bearings. The instrument's QuickReport PC software makes it easy to download standard JPEG thermal images with radiometric data, and to generate reports, analyze, and document findings.

The lightweight instrument weighs just 12 oz., resulting in less user fatigue. With its pocket-sized, fully automatic design, even first-time users will find ease of operation, making it suitable for general use. It has a focus-free lens for convenient viewing, along with a 2.8-in. (71mm) high resolution color LCD. Its double-molded, rugged design with easy-grip handle construction meets IP43 dust/splashproof standards and its 5-hour continuous operation on a single charge allows for uninterrupted inspections.

The instrument comes with a 512MB miniSD Card with adaptor, Li-Ion rechargeable battery with 100-240VAC adaptor/charger, QuickReport PC software with USB cable and built-in lens shutter and hand strap.

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Contact: Extech Instruments, 285 Bear Hill Rd., Waltham, MA 02451-1064 781-890-7440 fax: 781-890-7864 E-mail: extech@extech.com Web: http://www.extech.comhttp://www.extech.com "

Hmmm.  I am still painfully new when it comes to thermal imaging, but in the other areas of my field, using too coarse a measurement can bite you.

I'd like to hear your thoughts on the liability of an inspector who uses an instrument with too low a resolution for the work, so either misses a critical fault that goes on to cause damage, or calls a fault based on what they see, only to find the resolution led to a false positive.  Should there be (or is there already) a minimum spec on IR sensor performance for certain roles?

 Thanks for your work on this forum.  An excellent spot!

-John

Thanks, John. In fact the standards that exist (ASTM, ISO) do specify minimum resolution, both spatial and measurement. The manufacturers do not even show the specifications for measurement resolution. Worse, spatial resolution specifications, which are typically given, are not really based on reality but rather a projection of the pixel onto the target—useful but not real!

 

I fully expect we will be seeing more and more "thermographers" hauled into court over technical issues like this or more basic ones like "certification"—especially now that we have $500 online versions available! Honestly, I'd welcome the opportunity to have the public see the difference between good work and bad. I only hope it doesn't cause too much damage to the profession in the process.

 

Clearly, ALL infrared cameras have limitations within which we must work. I don't know what the field of view of this particular new camera is but, assuming it is 24 degrees, at ten feet the spatial resolution is greater than 1/2" and the measurement resolution would probably be nearly 2". At half that distance, it should work well for many condition monitoring applications. At twice that distance, typical of many building applications, I don't think it—or any similarly specified product of any brand—will work but I reserve judgement until I try it in the field.

 

These are exciting times—and, potentially, dangerous ones as well! Regardless, the ship has left the dock and the ride is interesting. 

 

 

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820

The spec sheet I saw today lists the field of view as 17 degrees x 17 degrees so the spatial and measurement resolution values I calculated would be pretty close: at 10' you should, theoretically, be able to see a .5" target and measure a 1.5" target; at 5', those values would be half and at 20' they would be double. Clearly NOT a system for use in substations or home inspections, but could work well for electrical in-plant maintenance.  I look forward to getting one and putting it through its paces.

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Thermally Yours,

John
ASNT NDT Level III #48166
The Snell Group
www.thesnellgroup.com
www.thermalsolutions.org
800-636-9820