Thermal imaging camera for water leak detection
An infrared or thermal imaging camera has a myriad of uses which makes it one of the most common gadgets around for the technicians and the normal folks.
The thermal imaging camera can be used to measure the temperature of an object while standing at a safe distance. Other uses include hunting, medical purposes, search and rescue, and maintenance for example inspecting electrical wires.
One of the other most common uses of a thermal imaging camera is the detection of water leaks which can be an especially difficult task if the piping is located away from the eyes.
Not that the thermal imaging camera has any sensor that senses water but it shows a temperature difference with patterns that reveal the existence of moisture which is a sign of leakage.
All thermal imaging cameras can be used to reveal leakages but only the best camera will give the user accuracy which Is the highest probability that a leak is identified.
This article will go through the best thermal imaging cameras that can be used for leak detection.
Buying a thermal imaging camera for leak detection
One should consider the following qualities when looking for a thermal imaging camera that can be used for leak detection.
Sensitivity
One of the most important characteristics that will define a good thermal imaging camera for detecting leaks is a look at the thermal sensitivity that a camera possesses.
The sensitivity of a thermal imaging camera or NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference), is a measure of a thermal imaging camera’s ability to detect and display small temperature differences. It basically is the smallest temperature change that the camera can detect reliably.
Sensitivity is expressed in millikelvins (mK) or degrees Celsius (°C). A lower value indicates a more sensitive imager which is ideal for tasks like the detection of water leaks. 30mK, for example, means that the camera can detect as small as a 0.03 temperature difference.
A 30mK thermal imaging camera would be more ideal for water leak detection than say a 100mK camera which would only be effective when there is a big or noticeable temperature difference
Sensor resolution
A thermal imaging sensor is what captures the infrared energy and transfers it to an electrical signal. The size of the sensor is measured using pixels denoting the vertical and horizontal size just like a digital screen.
A sensor measuring say 320 x 240 pixels is more powerful and displays a better image than a sensor measuring 240 x 180. It will also have better sensitivity
Image quality
You have a higher probability of identifying a leak if you can see the thermal image (thermogram) properly. The quality of the image depends on the capability of the image sensor and also the resolution of the screen displaying the thermogram.
Additionally, the refresh rate of the screen quantifies the number of times the camera updates or regenerates the image displayed on the screen. The refresh rate is typically measured using Hertz (Hz). A higher refresh rate results in a smoother image.
Make sure to opt for a thermal imaging camera with the best image quality depending on your budget.
User-friendliness
How easy is it to use the thermal imaging camera? You obviously want something with intuitive features easy to figure out without always referring to the owner’s manual.
Thermal imaging cameras also come in various forms and designs. Some of the designs are more ergonomic than others, but the best way to know what’s good for you is to try out the different options before making a purchase.
Battery
This isn’t much of a problem but if you are intending to use the imager for extended periods make sure to get one with a long battery life that will serve you until you are done detecting the leaks.
Long Battery life is especially important if you are working away from a power source where you can recharge.
Best Thermal Imaging Camera for Water Leak Detection
1. Thermal Imaging Moisture Meter
Because this thermal imaging camera was specifically designed for inspecting water leaks it means that it’s perfectly suited for the job.
To further enhance its water leak detection capabilities the manufacturer has incorporated a pinless moisture sensor and an external pin probe that can be used to certainly confirm whether indeed there is moisture in the area being inspected.
Additionally, the camera includes a laser pointer to specifically single out the area being inspected for moisture.
This thermal imaging camera is a perfect alternative if you don’t need any compromises and are fully specialized in moisture inspection duties. The camera is built rugged albeit bulky with chunky dimensions.
It features a rubberized grip on top of a solid housing. The sturdy build makes it a workhorse with no chance of harm on the worksite.
Features
- 7V, 2600 mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery (18 hours runtime)
- 80 x 60 pixels sensor
- Refresh rate: 9Hz
- 320 x 240-pixel display
- Thermal sensitivity: less than 0.15°C
Pros
- Integrated Pinless Sensor and External Pin Probe
- Rugged and durable
- Long battery life
- Laser pointer-guided measurement
- 10-year thermal detector warranty
Cons
- Chunky dimensions.
2. Hti-Xintai Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera
This one stands out for its high resolution which makes it one of the easiest to read when inspecting for water leaks and other uses.
The camera displays a thermogram with a 320 x 240 resolution on a 3.2-inch display. Additionally, there are 5 color palettes that help distinguish between different temperatures more easily. The 5 palettes are Rainbow, Iron Red, Cold Color, Black and White, or White and Black
Captured footage can be stored on the camera and then transferred at a later time to a laptop via a USB outlet.
Lastly, the camera is lightweight and comes with a sufficient battery able to last the user for 3 hours which is more than enough to carry out most inspections.
Features
- 2” TFT display
- Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
- Temp range: -20℃ to 300℃ (-4°F to 572°F)
- Refresh rate: 9Hz
- Thermal sensitivity: 0.07℃
Pros
- Built-in 3GB memory card
- Takes 2 hours to fully recharge
- Low thermal sensitivity
- High-resolution display
- 5 different color palettes
Cons
- USB cable is of low quality
3. HTI Thermal Imager Infrared Camera
This is a high-quality thermal imager with a decent 220 x 160 display resolution that is compensated for by a low price.
It comes with 5 color palettes which are Rainbow, Iron Red, Cold Color, Black and White, or White and Black. Next, it comes with a unique enhanced image overlay feature enabling the user to optimize the positioning of normal images with thermal images, creating a perfect fusion between the two
The HTI thermal imager also stands out for being compact which is a great deal because it makes it easy to store and take anywhere. This also makes it ideal for use by professionals for a wide variety of uses for example home inspection, fire-fighting, archaeology, and search and rescue.
lastly, you get a 24-month warranty and lifetime customer support that guarantees you peace of mind and value for your money.
Features
- 2” TFT display
- Resolution 220 x 160 pixels
- Temp range: -20℃ to 300℃ (-4°F to 572°F)
- Refresh rate: 9Hz
Pros
- Sleek design
- Budget-friendly price
- Compact and ergonomic
- Enhanced image overlay feature
Cons
- Fairly Slow booting time
4. FLIR ONE Gen 3 Thermal Camera for Smart Phones
This is a thermal camera that you use paired with your smartphone via the charging connector. There are two options available one for the Ios and the other for the Android smartphones.
This has made it very popular because it doesn’t carry a display that adds extra bulkiness to it.
This characteristic makes it one of the easiest to transport by professionals and people who are contracted to do the inspections.
Additionally, it’s also one of the easiest to use and simplifies the whole process required to inspect water leaks.
Although with a comparatively low sensitivity at 150mK, the Flir employs a proprietary multispectral dynamic imaging, which overlays a visible image atop a thermal image. This improves the image’s overall quality and readability.
Features
- Temp range: -20° to 120°C (-4°F to 248°F)
- Thermal sensitivity: 150mK
- 80 x 60 thermal sensor
Pros
- Lightweight and portable
- multispectral dynamic imaging feature
- easy to use
- convenient
Cons
- fairly low sensitivity
5. Seek Thermal Compact Thermal Imaging Camera
The Seek thermal imaging camera is a thermal imaging camera that works with your smartphone and has a fairly large thermal sensor measuring 206 x 156 pixels.
This results in a high-quality thermogram and sensitivity. The potent sensor also gives it the ability to detect temperature changes at a distance of up to 1800 ft.
The thermal imaging camera is lightweight and portable, which is why many professionals prefer it for a wide range of inspections, including gas leaks, electrical issues, and water leak.
Another unique feature is a wide field of view of 36° which allows the user to be able to scan a large area all at once.
Next, it conveniently is able to display a thermogram using 9 color palettes making it easy to spot the temperature difference which would be an indication of water leaks.
Features
- 206 x 156 thermal sensor
- Thermal sensitivity: 69 mK
- Temp range: -40°F to 626°F
- 1800ft detection distance
- 9 color palettes
Pros
- Potent sensor
- Lightweight and portable
- 9 color palettes
- Wide field of view
- Easy to use
Cons
- Lacks an image overlay feature
6. Seek Thermal Revealpro Thermal Imaging Camera
This thermal imaging camera has incorporated a screen but still managed to be lightweight and compact for everyday use.
Despite the small dimensions, it comes with a high-resolution sensor measuring 320 x 240 pixels which results in a clear and smooth thermogram.
The camera has a decent field of view of 32° to allow for a quick inspection of a large area. Moreover, it uses 9 color palettes which provide the user with the most favorable thermogram depending on their preference.
Ruggedness characterized by a solid casing with a rubberized surface makes this one of the most ideal cameras for use when carrying out inspections on a job site.
Lastly, the thermal imaging camera conveniently includes a 300-lumen LED flashlight which can be used to illuminate the site when it’s dark so you can easily carry out your inspection even at night.
Features
- 4” TFT display
- Sensor Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
- Temp range: -40°F to 626°F
- Refresh rate: 15Hz
- Thermal sensitivity: 70mK
- 4x digital zoom
Pros
- Small and lightweight
- Potent sensor
- Decent battery life (Up to 4 hours)
- Easy-to-use interface
- Wide field of view
Cons
- The display may be small for some users
7. NOYAFA Industrial Thermal Imaging Device
This is an affordable thermal imaging camera for a user with a small budget. Despite the favorable price it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to performance.
It also doesn’t match the most capable cameras but beats every other at its price point
The camera comes with a small sensor with 32 x 32 pixels. It then displays an image on a screen measuring 2.4” with a 320 x 240 resolution.
These characteristics make it functional and an ideal option if you’ll only need it for occasional inspections.
Lastly, you cannot miss to notice how portable this camera is allowing you to easily store it as well as carry it around.
Features
- 4” TFT display
- Sensor resolution 32 x 32 pixels
- Display Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
- Temp range: -10°C ~ 400°C
- Refresh rate: 9Hz
- Thermal sensitivity: 150mK
- 7V Lithium battery
Pros
- Budget-friendly
- Small and lightweight
- Rugged
- 33° generous field of view
Cons
- Small sensor doesn’t generate a crisp image
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, this article reviews the best thermal imaging camera you can use for water leak detection and gives you a variety of options to choose from. From these options, you can be sure of dependability and efficiency in detecting moisture and preventing damage that occurs as a result of sustained leaks.
For a professional who is only tasked with identifying and repairing leaks no other thermal imaging camera is more optimized for the job like the Thermal Imaging Moisture Meter. Its rugged and adds additional functionality to measure the amount of leak present on an area.
Related