Infrared Thermal Imaging

What is Infrared Thermal Imaging? 

Infrared thermal imaging (also sometimes referred to as thermography, thermal scanning, infrared imaging or thermal imaging) is the means by which humans can see the infrared portion of the light spectrum that can not be seen with the naked eye. Every object gives off some amount of thermal radiation so thermal imaging is ideal for observing temperature anomalies that are abnormal in machinery, electrical equipment, and even in solids such as wood, aluminum, steel, and fiberglass. Infrared thermal imaging does not require light to see thermal radiation (like you would see in night vision cameras which require some amount of light) so thermal cameras can see in absolute darkness. Thermal imaging is used widely in law enforcement, security, the military, air and sea navigation, surveillance, firefighting, private industry, energy companies, electrical maintenance industries, medicine, and science.

The signal processing unit sends the information to the color display monitor on the camera, where it appears as various colors depending on the intensity of the infrared emission. The combination of all the impulses from all of the elements creates the infrared image. These impulses will also record surface temperatures of the image taken. Infrared cameras can be adjusted for optimum imaging by manually setting the distance to the object, humidity, and air temperature before the image is taken. Special software that I have can also adjust the thermographic image, search and label exact temperatures outside of the spot size ratio (the center crosshairs on the infrared image), adjust the thermal tuning scale, and crop and edit the image based on how small the thermal anomalie may be. 

Infrared Thermal Cameras Used in My Marine Surveys and Inspections 

I only use Flir® brand high definition professional grade infrared thermal cameras in my marine surveys, engine surveys, and inspections. These cameras that I own are calibrated infrared thermal imaging cameras with a minimum of 320 x 240 pixels to a maximum of 464 x 348 pixels with an image frequency of 30 Hz. The cameras I own can detect a minimum of 43,200 - 161,472 individual temperature shots per digital or video image. The minimal thermal range of the cameras I use are between -4 degrees farenheit - 2,732 degrees farenheit (-20 degrees celsius - 1,500 degrees celsius) which means I can see thermal anomalies in cold temperatures (such as freon hoses in marine air conditioning systems and refrigeration systems) and in extremely hot temperatures (such as overheating turbochargers and overheating exhaust manifolds in engines while they are running).

Each infrared thermal image I take is properly tuned based on the enviromental conditions at the time of the inspection with special software to reveal thermal anomalies accurately. As an ITC® Level III Certified Master Thermographer, I know how to properly take, tune, and interpret infrared thermal images to determine if there are abnormalities in the thermal images or video taken of hull composites, engines, electrical systems or marine components. I further understand how these systems work and what normal running temperatures are in many different engines and systems on board vessels from years of professional training and experience as a marine mechanic, a marine surveyor, and as a certified thermographer. 

My professional thermography certifications and training certificates can be found here.

What is a Certified Infrared Thermographer? 

There are three levels of certification that a thermographer can achieve: 

• Level I: Is the first of the three levels of infrared training. A certified level I thermographer can perform industrial thermographic measurements and basic infrared thermography.   

• Level II: This is the second level of training as a thermographer. The thermographer can perform more diagnostic infrared thermography according to established and recognized procedures. Usually the thermographer can deploy more diagnostic technologies to determine the root cause of problems. Because of their experience and training, level II thermographers are qualiifed to provide technical direction to level I thermographers. 

• Level III: This is the most advanced infrared training and certification available. A level III thermographer is a master thermographer. Level III thermographers usually have many years of practice in the field with the use of infrared thermal imaging. Level III thermographers have proven they can perform measurements, analysis, troubleshooting, diagnosis, and can implement and operate an infrared thermography maintenance program.  Level III thermographers are qualified to provide technical direction to level I and level II thermographers. 

All levels of thermography certification require classroom instruction, conduct in-class labs, pass a written exam, and to submit (and pass) a field assignment with a written report before certification is approved. 

I am an ITC® Level III Certified Master Thermographer and have been performing infrared thermal imaging since 2012. I know what is needed to perform proper infrared thermal imaging, how to analyize the images, and what recommendations to make based on the results of the images.  Infrared thermal imaging can be very definitive and exact if the thermographer knows what they are doing and have knowledge and / or training on the composite or machinery they are taking thermograms of. 

The Benefits of Thermal Imaging 

Thermography and How It Makes Your Vessel Safer 

As you can see in the two photos above, thermography can make your vessel or outboard engine (or prospective vessel or outboard engine you are planning to purchase) a safer and more assured investment. Thermography can sense heat that may prevent an electrical fire. Thermal imaging can detect leaking fuel or water from tanks that may prevent an explosion or water damage to the interior of the vessel. Thermal imaging can detect temperature anomalies in outboard engines, mid-sections, or lower units that can prevent much more costly engine repairs or replacements later on. In the past I have found overheating wiring from branch breakers that would not properly trip. I have discovered improper and overheating temperature anomalies in several outboard (and inboard) engines, electric motors, and hydraulic motors that would have lead to much more costly repairs had the thermal camera not been used to detect the problems before they failed. Below are some other images I have captured during surveys that show some of my findings: 

As you can see from the photos above, infrared thermal imaging can reveal many things that may not have otherwise been found using standard marine surveying practices. This is an amazing technology and incorporating infrared thermal imaging into any marine survey or damage inspection gives the boat owner or potential buyer a much better idea of what they are dealing with. As a marine surveyor, I would feel limited in my abilities without having the thermal imaging camera as one of my tools. It only makes for a much better inspection and report. With infrared thermal imaging incorporated into my survey inspections I can submit my findings with a lot more confidence especially when dealing with issues that are beneath fiberglass, rubber, wood, metal heads, or other materials you may find on boats, yachts or in engines. The saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" goes almost double with infrared thermal images when they are presented to a boat owner or potential buyer. With a good thorough marine survey aided with thermal imaging provides little to no doubt (or argument) of what the true condition (and sometimes value) the vessel is actually in. I believe infrared thermal imaging is the future of marine surveying and engine mechanics and in time will be just as common as the use of the moisture meter among marine surveyors, marine mechanics, and other marine related service professionals. 

Note: This page, written content, and all photos were orginally written, modified, and published by John Banister in May, 2012. No other person, company or entity has my permission to copy the content of this page (including photos) or any page on this website or other websites owned by me or Suenos Azules LLC. In other words, go to school, get trained on your own equipment before you use it, take your own photos, and publish your own content based on your own work, knowledge, experience, and training. “Infrared Training Center,” “ITC,” and “Flir” logos and designs are registered trademarks of Teledyne Flir Systems Incorporated and are used on this website and in proprietary reporting with exclusive permission from Teledyne Flir Systems Incorporated. 

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