Thermal imaging Technology
m-u-t systems recognize hot-spots before it is too late. Based on NIR and LWIR technologies our products for fire prevention, detection and fire fighting use latest optical developments for a new generation of security devices. Live video from the fire and exact temperature measurement over long distances are the keys to save time and increase the reliability and safety in early fire detection.
LWIR-Technology
Measurement principle
According to Planck’s law, objects or surfaces emit electromagnetic radiation, which intensity and spectral distribution depends on the body’s temperature1. Dedicated detectors can receive such radiation in the range of the long-wave-infrared (LWIR) from 8-12µm and therefore measure the surface temperature contactless. The measurement range can start below -40°C or extend to more than 1000°C. Temperature differences of just 0.08K can be detected.
Visibility at smoke, dust & fog
Aerosols such as fog, smoke or dust, which occur in many applications are almost transparent in the LWIR wavelength range of 8-12µm. Therefore a LWIR camera can "look through smoke" in contrast to usual surveillance cameras or the human eye. This is very important for fire fighting. In other applications the LWIR camera ensures clear sight through dust and fog.
LWIR - thermography
LWIR thermography allows temperature measurement of each single pixel within a video image. The shown object is displayed with precise temperature values for each point on the surface. These information help to detect origins of fire before the flashpoint temperature is reached and therefore to prevent fire. In case of fire LWIR thermography ensures clear sight through dense smoke and allows search and rescue of humans as well as safe temperature measurement of object close to the fire.
1Strictly speaking, Planck’s law does apply to the "ideal black body" only, but with slight corrections it can be used in good approximation for surfaces of real objects.
NIR-Technology
Measurement principle
According to Planck’s law, objects or surfaces emit electromagnetic radiation, which intensity and spectral distribution depends on the body’s temperature. Detectors for the near-infrared spectral range of 0.8µm to 1.1µm can detect thermal radiation from temperatures of approx. 300°C on surfaces. This temperature is far below the limit at which the human eye can see thermal radiation. Open fire also emits in this range. Therefore low-cost alarm systems are easy to realize in this wavelength range. For special applications detectors that measure up to 2.5µm can be used to increase the detection sensitivity. Radiation from open flames can easily be detected even behind objects by its reflected radiation, as NIR radiation is reflected by most surfaces. Direct view on the flames is not necessary.
Visibility at smoke
NIR radiation is reflected or scattered by aerosols such as fog, smoke and dust, usually present in most application fields. Therefore NIR technology can be used for detection and as an alarm system for smoke. Scattering of light by aerosols in this wavelength range is weaker than in the visible range. Therefore in many situations open fires can be localized through smoke where it is not possible with the human eye.
NIR - video
Based on NIR video images and processing, the measurement principle can be applied on every pixel of an image and therefore be used for precise localization of alarm sources. Real images are available for identification of alarm sources: haze in the air, reflection or direct view on a flame. This information provides a clear image of the affected area that can be used for fast and safe situation analysis in case of an alert. Counteractive measures can be initialized faster and much more targeted.
LWIR-Technology
Measurement principle
According to Planck’s law, objects or surfaces emit electromagnetic radiation, which intensity and spectral distribution depends on the body’s temperature1. Dedicated detectors can receive such radiation in the range of the long-wave-infrared (LWIR) from 8-12µm and therefore measure the surface temperature contactless. The measurement range can start below -40°C or extend to more than 1000°C. Temperature differences of just 0.08K can be detected.
Visibility at smoke, dust & fog
Aerosols such as fog, smoke or dust, which occur in many applications are almost transparent in the LWIR wavelength range of 8-12µm. Therefore a LWIR camera can "look through smoke" in contrast to usual surveillance cameras or the human eye. This is very important for fire fighting. In other applications the LWIR camera ensures clear sight through dust and fog.
LWIR - thermography
LWIR thermography allows temperature measurement of each single pixel within a video image. The shown object is displayed with precise temperature values for each point on the surface. These information help to detect origins of fire before the flashpoint temperature is reached and therefore to prevent fire. In case of fire LWIR thermography ensures clear sight through dense smoke and allows search and rescue of humans as well as safe temperature measurement of object close to the fire.
1Strictly speaking, Planck’s law does apply to the "ideal black body" only, but with slight corrections it can be used in good approximation for surfaces of real objects.
NIR-Technology
Measurement principle
According to Planck’s law, objects or surfaces emit electromagnetic radiation, which intensity and spectral distribution depends on the body’s temperature. Detectors for the near-infrared spectral range of 0.8µm to 1.1µm can detect thermal radiation from temperatures of approx. 300°C on surfaces. This temperature is far below the limit at which the human eye can see thermal radiation. Open fire also emits in this range. Therefore low-cost alarm systems are easy to realize in this wavelength range. For special applications detectors that measure up to 2.5µm can be used to increase the detection sensitivity. Radiation from open flames can easily be detected even behind objects by its reflected radiation, as NIR radiation is reflected by most surfaces. Direct view on the flames is not necessary.
Visibility at smoke
NIR radiation is reflected or scattered by aerosols such as fog, smoke and dust, usually present in most application fields. Therefore NIR technology can be used for detection and as an alarm system for smoke. Scattering of light by aerosols in this wavelength range is weaker than in the visible range. Therefore in many situations open fires can be localized through smoke where it is not possible with the human eye.
NIR - video
Based on NIR video images and processing, the measurement principle can be applied on every pixel of an image and therefore be used for precise localization of alarm sources. Real images are available for identification of alarm sources: haze in the air, reflection or direct view on a flame. This information provides a clear image of the affected area that can be used for fast and safe situation analysis in case of an alert. Counteractive measures can be initialized faster and much more targeted.
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