T-CAM 80 P-SERIES/T-CAM 160 XT USER MANUAL
18
9-10 Emissivity Adjustment
The correct emissivity value is important in order to receive the most accurate temperature
measurement. Emissivity of a surface can have a large effect on temperatures the imager
observes. Adjusting the emissivity setting will allow the imager to calculate a more accurate
estimate of the actual temperature.
The emissivity displays on the LCD screen as E=x.xx.
Emissivity is set directly or can be chosen from a list based on some common materials. See
chart on next page.
Change the emissivity as follows:
1.
Press the Menu button.
2. Highlight Emiss from the Menu.
3. Press the Select button.
4. Highlight Custom option (choosing an emissivity from the provided list will auto-confirm and
close the Menu).
5. Press Select button and use the up and down buttons to change to a desired emissivity.
6. Press Select to confirm. Press Close to exit without changes.
All objects radiate infrared energy. The amount of energy radiated varies based on the actual
surface temperature and the surface emissivity of the object. The Thermal imager senses the
infrared energy from the surface of the object and uses this data to calculate an estimated
temperature value.
Many common objects and materials such as painted metal, wood, water, skin, and cloth are
particularly good at radiating energy and it is easy to get relatively accurate measurements.
For surfaces that are good at radiating energy (high emissivity), the emissivity factor is >=0.90.
This simplification does not work on shiny surfaces or unpainted metals as they have an
emissivity of <0.6. These materials are not good at radiating energy and are classified as low
emissivity.
SURFACES WITH AN EMISSIVITY OF < 0.60 MAKE RELIABLE AND
CONSISTENT MEASUREMENTS PROBLEMATIC. THE LOWER THE
EMISSIVITY, THE GREATER POTENTIAL FOR ERROR WITHIN THE
DEVICE’S CALCULATIONS. ERRORS MAY STILL OCCUR EVEN WHEN
ADJUSTMENTS ARE PERFORMED PROPERLY.
SEE CHART ON NEXT PAGE FOR COMMON MATERIAL VALUES.
