EEVblog #622 - How To See Through Objects With A Thermal Camera

Dave shows you a handy tip on how to see *through* a product using a Flir thermal imaging camera with the cover *on*. Thus being able to maintain the correct airflow, whilst at the same time being able to view the thermal map as if the cover was off!

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[fpliuzzi]

Interesting video as always, but I couldn't help thinking about the possible ESD implications of using the plastic wrap on some sensitive electronic assemblies. It might be interesting to measure the level of static charge on the cling-wrap.

[pmckinlay]

Neat tip Dave. I'll have to remember that one.

One thing you have to be careful with, using any infrared based thermometer, including thermal cameras;
The camera/thermometer assumes that the emissivity(sp?) of your target object is 0.95, or a flat black colour. A shiny surface has a lower IR emissivity, and thus will read low on any IR thermometer- We're talking up to 10% here.


However, you'll find that black electrician's tape has an emissivity of approximately 0.95. Stick a patch on your target and you're good :-)

[Andrew_Sparrow]

I can see it! I can see it! you have to stand back a bit and cross your eyes, look "through" the image and it just pops out! Amazing, Fantastic!

[JohnKha]

I bought a Fluke IR camera that has very similar functionality (it has a tri-pod mount, though) a while back. This will definitely help me get the most out of that.

[mandelkubb]

Love the Twin Peaks quote, Dave! Cheers!

[whitcwa]

You could let the product warm up with the cover on, turn it off, then quickly remove the cover and use the camera. That allows the normal airflow and thermal effect of the cover to be included in the test. 

[XOIIOXOIIO]

Wanted to see a bit more thermal imager action as I got interested in getting a flir e4 again and 5 seconds into this video I got a massive nostalgia hit, must be close to a year now since I last watched an eevblog video and damn it's nice to watch one again lol. I'm going to have to catch up.

[segwaydave]

Thanks a bunch! I have a i7 but always stay away from glass since it reflects the ir. Brilliant idea to use the cling wrap. Gotta try it now!!!
Thanks again for this VERY useful tip.

-Dave in the USA

[fersoler]

Dave, thanks for the tip, but what abour ESD? The wrap wouldn't charge up and maybe damage something? or distort measurements if you have an oscilloscope hooked in?

[metaforest]

Fantastic hack for measuring internal temps!  Too bad I'll not be buying a thermal image camera anytime soon.

[gglovato]

hahaah i would've never thought of using that wrap... maybe a clear acryllic but needs to be chopped to size(somewhat), much more annoying!

btw, care to muck around with the FLIR on your car engine/brakes after a ride? ;), maybe capture household AC/HVAC output?

[dxhighendamplifiers]

air only circulates if you have an input and an output..the same way you have to open a window and a door to obtain wind inside your home..input and output openings.

[WaveShapePlay]

Great and informative video, I have used IR camera used it for a quick and dirty tests to find shorts during prototyping 

[kevihiiinyuan]

Hi Dave, I wonder if the ESD generated from the cling wrap is a problem for the device you are testing.

[shakaibsafvi]

Amazing... I'm going to try this tomorrow with my thermal camera !

[RichardsWorld]

Should you Saran wrap your kids before checking their temps?

[SilverCoreLabs]

Hey Dave, great tip but this setup does have some drawbacks. I have spent years in research using IR cameras, lasers, FLIR's, microscopes and etc. I own all these devices and have done hundreds of experiments in both the infrared range from NIR to FIR and also in the UVA, B and C ranges. NIR and FIR can pass through quite a bit of material but the keyword is "PASS". The loss you are seeing of a couple percent is due the slight absorption and reflection of the material itself and the rest of the radiated IR is passed through. Considering the material will pass about 95% or more of the IR energy, it will still have simular characteristics of having the top off. Fans will carry or push cooled air which acts much in the way of a heat sink by allowing the IR energy to have an absorption media, however this effect is not very efficient. There are losses which allow more heat energy (IR) to be radiated away from the device than absorbed by the cooled air and carried away. The percentages vary depending on air density, humidity and etc. So, the effective radiated IR will be much more with the cling wrap than with a metallic case lid which will block all the radiated IR energy and allow heat to build up by being absorbed by the metal and other components. We all know that cold itself does not exist, but is present due to the absence of IR or heat energy which in affect creates a potential for heat (IR) to fill or be attracted to, In some of my experiments, I have created materials using special bonding techniques which have incredible absorption and reflection properties. It's quite a bit of fun, I might add!

Keep up the good work Dave, just my humble 2 cents! :)

[bassamdawood]

at 5:44, Dave meant to say sixty-nine rather than seventy-nine.
Anyway, fantastic idea, Dave! Very informative, as always.

[biturboism]

It doesn't have to be clear nylon. IR radiation can penetrate some materials which are opaque to the visible spectrum, like some types of opaque plastic, but is completely stopped by normal transparent glass for example. I think this is the best example of how different types of radiation propagate in different environments.

[ickipoo]

The connector that connects the transformer to the PCB is running rather hot!