The infrared imaging specialist Flir Systems has announced what it calls “the lowest-priced, fully-featured thermal imaging camera on the market”. The company claims that the  Flir i3 camera – priced in the UK at £895 (plus VAT) – will open up the market to many more users. It says that it has achieved the low price through economies of scale, resulting from producing more thermal imaging cameras than any other manufacturer.

The camera can be used to spot electrical and mechanical abnormalities in an instant, thus avoiding possible failures or fires. It produces 60 x 60 pixel thermal images with a spot meter in the centre that reads temperature values and can detect differences as small as 0.15°C. The camera’s 3,600 measurement points allow the camera to scan an entire component.

The thermal images are stored as Jpegs on a removable SD card, together with temperature data. The camera is supplied with image analysis software that can be used to generate inspection reports quickly.

“In recent years, the price of thermal imaging cameras has decreased continuously,” says Christiaan Maras, Flir’s marketing director for the EMEA region. “This has enabled more and more people to discover the advantages of thermal imaging.

He adds that the new camera’s low price will enable it to reach even more users. “Now every electrician and engineer can benefit from this powerful technology,” he says. “We have put thermal imaging firmly in the toolbox.”