Filling the gap between thermometers and thermal imagers

Fluke has introduced the VT02 Visual IR Thermometer, a troubleshooting tool with an infrared heat map. Until now, electricians and industrial, HVAC and automotive technicians have had to choose between single-point infrared thermometers and high-resolution thermal imagers (infrared or “IR” cameras). The new instrument fills the gap for when a single-spot temperature reading is not enough and a high-resolution thermal image is more than users need. This one tool combines the visual insight of a thermal imager, the visual images of a digital camera, and the point-and-shoot convenience of an IR thermometer.

Conducting inspections for electrical, industrial, HVAC/R and automotive applications is far faster with the Fluke VT02 than an infrared thermometer, which requires multiple readings and manually recorded results. The VT02 instantly detects problems using blended thermal and digital imagery. It will display and save images as full visual, full infrared, or in three blended modes (25, 50, and 75 percent). Markers pinpoint hot and cold spots indicating the hottest temperature with a red box and the coldest with a blue box. A temperature reading is provided at the centre point. Images are saved to a micro-SD card, eliminating the need to write down single or multiple measurements.

Affordable, compact, and intuitive, the Fluke VT02 operates with focus-free simplicity, expanding the user base from senior to junior technicians and broadening the applications for in-house staff as well as creating new business opportunities for service contractors. Images from the Fluke VT02 can be imported into SmartView® analysis and reporting software, included with the VT02, to produce professional reports that document problems detected, or repairs made, for management and customer review.

Developing a tool that is easier to manufacture than traditional thermal imagers required significant innovation. Using hyper-thin pyroelectric technology, engineers discovered a way to push the limits of the technology, pioneering an array dense enough to create an infrared heat map.