Test & Measurement

Tip of the Week: Single Spot IR Thermometer vs Imaging Camera

March 16, 2015

Single spot infrared thermometers make some tasks easier, but for other jobs, an imaging camera will be more useful.

When affordable single spot infrared thermometers became available, they enabled maintenance and test personnel to do things that previously required a thermal imaging camera (and the training to use it). For example, they let you get a numerical readout of the temperature of a motor’s thrust bearing housing. They also made it easy to test connection temperature, effectively conducting a high-resistance test while the circuit is energized.

Useful as it is, that single spot instrument is still checking a single spot. It’s just not an imaging camera. Consider purchasing a device that’s between these two instruments.

Suppose you want to test the connections at a three-phase fuse panel. With the single point gun, you’d do this in six steps. With the imaging gun, you’d do it in one. And you’d have images that document the thermal conditions.

About the Author

Mark Lamendola

Mark is an expert in maintenance management, having racked up an impressive track record during his time working in the field. He also has extensive knowledge of, and practical expertise with, the National Electrical Code (NEC). Through his consulting business, he provides articles and training materials on electrical topics, specializing in making difficult subjects easy to understand and focusing on the practical aspects of electrical work.

Prior to starting his own business, Mark served as the Technical Editor on EC&M for six years, worked three years in nuclear maintenance, six years as a contract project engineer/project manager, three years as a systems engineer, and three years in plant maintenance management.

Mark earned an AAS degree from Rock Valley College, a BSEET from Columbia Pacific University, and an MBA from Lake Erie College. He’s also completed several related certifications over the years and even was formerly licensed as a Master Electrician. He is a Senior Member of the IEEE and past Chairman of the Kansas City Chapters of both the IEEE and the IEEE Computer Society. Mark also served as the program director for, a board member of, and webmaster of, the Midwest Chapter of the 7x24 Exchange. He has also held memberships with the following organizations: NETA, NFPA, International Association of Webmasters, and Institute of Certified Professional Managers.