How should I maintain my thermal imaging camera?

Good news, because the maintenance of a thermal imaging camera is rather limited. Often, a simple calibration check is sufficient. For critical applications, however, it can be useful to schedule maintenance every year.

Annual maintenance

In critical applications, for example in the medical or chemical/ petrochemical sector, we recommend annual maintenance. The thermal camera is then given a complete overhaul. Minor defects are repaired, the software is updated, the calibration is checked, etc.
Is no downtime possible in your organization? Then choose a maintenance agreement with backup camera. Contact us for more information.

Maintenance after and during use

Heat cameras often have a lens protector. Make use of this as well! Cover the lenses you don't use.
When not using the camera and walking around with it, close the lens cover or place the lens cap on the camera. This will avoid direct sunlight irradiation. You can also make sure that when you are not using the camera, point the lens toward the ground.

Calibration check

Sometimes it is useful to perform a calibration check. With this test, we check that the camera meets its specifications. This ensures that the measurements are correct and within the error margins. A calibration check is cheaper than a full maintenance. Nothing is changed to the curves in the camera itself.

Calibration - Adjusting

Were discrepancies found during the calibration check? Then the camera goes to the manufacturer to fit new curves. This recalibration ensures that the camera again meets the accuracy requirements. The adjustment of a camera is always performed by the manufacturer.

Contaminated lenses

It is not uncommon for the lens of a thermal imaging camera to become dirty from dust, gases or splashing liquids. Fortunately, this is not a problem. First, the lens should be made dust-free. Try this first with air and otherwise with a soft brush. Clean the lens with a lens cleaner containing high alcohol. You can do this with cotton wool. Always rub in circles from the inside to the outside. These cleaning products are available from us.
Do not clean the lens more than necessary and avoid touching the lens with fingers.

Sphere in the screen

With interchangeable lenses, you may experience "a sphere" in your image. This is usually caused by a speck of dust in the optical path. This can also happen between the detector and the inside of the lens. Should you have a persistent sphere in the screen, remove the lens to see if there is a speck of dust on the inside.
Under no circumstances use products to clean the detector with. And never use products containing detergents (washing-up liquids)! In doubt? Contact us before you start cleaning.