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Infrared Equipment Cost

Budgeting for infrared test equipment can be a daunting task. Prices for infrared test equipment vary widely depending upon the type of instrument and equipment features. There are generally three categories of infrared test equipment:

1) Non-imaging radiometers
2) Thermal imagers
3) Imaging radiometers

Non-imaging radiometers, often referred to as infrared pyrometers, point radiometers or spot radiometers, produce temperature data by detecting the invisible infrared radiation emitted by an object and converting this energy into a temperature value. These temperature values may be displayed in either analog or digital fashion in either Celsius or Fahrenheit.

Non-imaging radiometers may be either hand-held or permanently mounted for continuous temperature monitoring or can be integrated with a computer for automatic process control.

Most modern, hand-held radiometers employ a laser sighting system to enable the user to help aim the instrument. Hand-held radiometers are best suited for taking non-contact temperatures of stationary electrical or mechanical equipment at close distances.

Prices for hand-held non-imaging radiometers range from $100 to $3000 depending upon features and capabilities. Permanently-mounted radiometers can range in price from $1000 to over $100,000.

For more information on non-imaging radiometers, please visit the radiometer page.

Thermal Imagers: Thermal imagers are video camera like devices which convert invisible infrared radiation emitted by an object into a monochrome or multi-color image on a monitor screen wherein the various shades or colors represent thermal patterns across the object’s surface.

Prices vary widely for thermal imagers depending upon features and capabilities.

For monochrome thermal imagers, prices start at less that $10,000 for lower resolution systems and range to over $100,000 for high resolution airborne systems. Thermal imagers are most often used in surveillance or in applications where temperature measurement is not required.

Imaging Radiometers: Simply put, imaging radiometers are thermal imagers that can also measure temperatures. Imaging radiometers have a wide variety of uses in maintenance, aerospace, research & development, quality assurance, condition monitoring and forensic applications.

Once again prices vary widely depending upon features and capabilities such as image storage and available software for post processing of images and data. Pricing for imaging radiometers begins around $15,000 and can exceed $50,000 depending upon how the system is configured.

For more information on thermal imagers and imaging radiometers, please visit the imager page.

Because equipment varies widely in its capabilities, it is imperative that buyers and users of infrared test equipment fully understand how to properly choose an instrument for the task at hand.

Lastly, the greatest limiting factor in an infrared inspection is the equipment operator. Relying on data by untrained persons can have disastrous consequences. To this end, a trained and certified operator of infrared equipment is of paramount importance for accurate data collection and interpretation. For training and certification courses for thermographers, please visit: www.infraspection.com.