Thermal Imaging Course

Lesson 1 • Heat Transfer Mechanisms

Explains conduction, convection, and radiation as they affect thermal signatures. Connects heat transfer theory to observable patterns in thermal images.

Lesson 2 • Emissivity and Surface Properties

Defines emissivity and its effect on apparent temperature readings. Students learn to identify high- and low-emissivity surfaces in the field.

Lesson 3 • Image Formation and Display

Explains how raw detector data is converted into a viewable thermal image. Covers color palettes, temperature scales, and image rendering modes.

Lesson 4 • Infrared Radiation Principles

Covers electromagnetic spectrum placement of infrared, Planck's law, and Wien's displacement law. Establishes the physics foundation for all subsequent camera operation topics.

Lesson 1 • Camera Components and Optics

Identifies lenses, detector assemblies, housings, and accessory ports. Explains how lens focal length and field of view affect image coverage.

Lesson 2 • Camera Controls and Menus

Walks through focus, gain, level, and span controls. Builds confidence navigating menus to configure measurement tools and image settings.

Lesson 3 • Power, Storage, and Connectivity

Addresses battery management, memory card handling, and wireless data transfer. Prepares students for uninterrupted field operation and efficient data offload.

Lesson 4 • Calibration and Non-Uniformity Correction

Covers factory calibration, field non-uniformity correction, and shutter activation. Ensures students understand how to maintain measurement accuracy.

Lesson 1 • Pre-Inspection Planning

Covers site surveys, thermal load assessment, and inspection scheduling. Proper planning maximizes thermal contrast and reduces false findings.

Lesson 2 • Managing Environmental Influences

Addresses solar loading, wind, humidity, and background radiation effects. Students apply mitigation strategies to reduce environmental measurement errors.

Lesson 3 • Image Annotation and Metadata

Covers voice notes, text annotations, GPS tagging, and visible-light companion images. Proper metadata supports accurate reporting and traceability.

Lesson 4 • Controlling Measurement Geometry

Explains angle of incidence, distance-to-spot ratio, and target fill requirements. Students learn to position themselves for valid temperature readings.

Lesson 1 • Comparative and Trend Analysis

Explains baseline comparison, delta-T thresholds, and trend monitoring over time. Trend data converts single inspections into predictive maintenance intelligence.

Lesson 2 • Distinguishing Anomalies from Artifacts

Covers reflections, emissivity errors, focus blur, and atmospheric artifacts. Students apply a structured checklist to confirm genuine thermal anomalies.

Lesson 3 • Thermal Pattern Recognition

Introduces common thermal patterns: hot spots, cold spots, gradients, and thermal bridges. Pattern recognition links visual signatures to underlying physical causes.

Lesson 4 • Integrating Complementary Measurements

Shows how to combine thermal data with contact thermometry, moisture meters, and clamp meters. Multi-instrument correlation increases diagnostic confidence.

Lesson 1 • Inspecting Panels and Switchgear

Teaches systematic scanning of breakers, bus bars, and connections inside panels. Students identify loose connections, overloaded circuits, and failing components.

Lesson 2 • Severity Classification and Prioritization

Applies delta-T-based severity scales to rank electrical findings for repair urgency. Students produce prioritized defect lists aligned with industry guidelines.

Lesson 3 • Electrical Thermography Fundamentals

Covers resistive heating, load requirements, and phase balance as they apply to electrical inspections. Establishes the electrical theory needed for valid thermal findings.

Lesson 4 • Transformer and Cable Inspections

Covers oil-filled and dry-type transformer scanning, cable terminations, and underground fault detection. Identifies overheating before insulation failure occurs.

Lesson 1 • Moisture and Water Intrusion Detection

Identifies evaporative cooling patterns caused by moisture in walls and roofs. Students verify thermal findings with moisture meters to avoid false positives.

Lesson 2 • Building Thermography Principles

Explains delta-T requirements, interior vs. exterior scanning, and seasonal timing for building inspections. Correct conditions are essential for valid envelope findings.

Lesson 3 • Air Leakage Identification

Covers blower door depressurization, infiltration patterns, and exfiltration signatures. Combining pressurization with thermal imaging dramatically improves air leakage detection.

Lesson 4 • HVAC and Mechanical System Scanning

Applies thermal imaging to ductwork, air handlers, and radiant systems within buildings. Identifies duct leakage, blocked airflow, and heating element failures.

Lesson 1 • Conveyor and Drive System Inspection

Addresses belt tension, roller bearing, and gearbox thermal patterns in conveyor systems. Identifies friction and lubrication failures before belt or roller damage occurs.

Lesson 2 • Predictive Maintenance Integration

Explains how thermal data feeds into predictive maintenance programs alongside vibration and oil analysis. Students build inspection routes and trending schedules.

Lesson 3 • Refractory and High-Temperature Inspection

Covers furnace wall, kiln, and boiler refractory scanning for hot spots and thinning. High-temperature environments require specialized camera settings and safety protocols.

Lesson 4 • Rotating Equipment Inspection

Covers bearing, coupling, and shaft seal thermal signatures under operating load. Early detection of friction-induced heat prevents catastrophic mechanical failure.

Lesson 1 • Quality Assurance and Peer Review

Establishes QA checklists, peer review processes, and client feedback integration. Systematic QA prevents errors from reaching clients and builds professional credibility.

Lesson 2 • Measurement Data Documentation

Teaches recording of spot temperatures, delta-T values, emissivity settings, and environmental conditions. Complete data documentation enables independent verification of findings.

Lesson 3 • Image Selection and Presentation

Covers criteria for selecting representative thermal and visible-light images for reports. Proper image presentation ensures findings are clear to non-technical readers.

Lesson 4 • Report Structure and Standards

Defines required report sections, professional formatting, and compliance with thermography reporting standards. A well-structured report protects the inspector and the client.