What Are Some of the Most Significant Aspects to be Aware of About Thermal IP Cameras?

Thermal imaging cameras capture objects based on the amount of infrared heat or energy they emit. Thereafter, they present these images in different shades of grey, highlighting various temperature ranges. Unlike regular cameras, thermal imaging cameras function by using infrared light. In contrast, regular cameras operate on the basis of reflected light. This difference enables thermal imaging cameras to provide images even in low or poor visibility conditions. 

However, it’s essential to be aware of certain facts when you’re thinking of using them to boost your security levels. Thermal imaging cameras:

Do Not Measure Temperature Directly: Thermal cameras do not measure temperature levels of objects directly. Instead, they provide estimates based on:
oThe infrared radiation of the object
oThe emissivity of the object and,
oVarious other factors
Provide Surface Temperatures Only: Thermal cameras cannot see into the object. As such, they can only provide details of the surface temperature of the object. Similarly, in visible light, window glazing appears transparent. But, when viewed in infrared light, window glazing would typically be opaque. So, if you happen to take an infrared image through a window, you will not get an image of objects lying on the other side of the window. Instead, all that you will get will be the surface temperature of the window glazing. 
Must Provide the Temperature Scales While Viewing the Object: As mentioned earlier, thermal cameras produce images in various shades of grey. These different shades denote specific ranges of temperature. Now, the average user will not be able to understand what these shades represent. Therefore, it is imperative that these cameras provide temperature scales as well. The users would be able to use these scales for mapping each shade to its respective temperature range. 
Reflect Infrared Radiation as Well as Visible Radiation: Shiny surfaces reflect infrared rays quite well. As a result, the reflections in the thermal image will reflect the temperature of the object being reflected and not the temperature of the shiny surface itself