PCE Health and Fitness PCE-TC 30 User Manual

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/us

PCE Instruments UK Ltd.

Units 12/13

Southpoint Business Park

Ensign way

Southampton

Hampshire

United Kingdom, SO31 4RF

Tel: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

[e-mail]

www.pce-instruments.com/english

www.industrial-needs.com

Manual

Infrared camera PCE-TC 30

Version 1.0

Date of creation: 05/12/2014

Date of last change: 29.12.2014

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Table of contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................. 3

2 Safety information ................................................................................................... 3

3 Specifications .......................................................................................................... 4

4 Device description .................................................................................................. 5

4.1 Camera components .................................................................................................................. 5

4.2 Buttons........................................................................................................................................ 5

4.3 Display ........................................................................................................................................ 5

5 Instructions .............................................................................................................. 6

5.1 To charge the battery ................................................................................................................. 6

5.1.1 To charge via the USB interface .................................................................................................... 6

5.1.2 To charge via a charger ................................................................................................................. 6

5.2 Data transfer ............................................................................................................................... 6

5.3 Reference numbers of the most common material emissivities ................................................. 6

5.4 Start-up procedure ...................................................................................................................... 7

5.5 Display ........................................................................................................................................ 7

5.6 To save images .......................................................................................................................... 7

5.7 Settings ....................................................................................................................................... 7

5.7.1 Main display ................................................................................................................................... 7

5.7.2 Temperature analysis..................................................................................................................... 7

5.7.3 Emissivity setting ............................................................................................................................ 7

5.7.4 Palette ............................................................................................................................................ 8

5.7.5 Temperature setting ....................................................................................................................... 8

5.7.6 System setting ................................................................................................................................ 8

5.8 Focussing ................................................................................................................................... 8

5.9 Colour scale ................................................................................................................................ 8

5.10 To display images ....................................................................................................................... 8

5.11 Switch-off .................................................................................................................................... 8

5.12 Software...................................................................................................................................... 9

5.12.1 Quick start of the software ............................................................................................................. 9

5.12.2 Hardware and software configuration ............................................................................................ 9

5.12.3 To operate the software ............................................................................................................... 10

6 Disposal ................................................................................................................. 24

7 Contact ................................................................................................................... 24

7.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 24

7.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 24

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1 Introduction

Thank you for purchasing a PCE-TC30 infrared camera from PCE Instruments.
The PCE-TC 30 thermographic camera is perfect for beginners. Its structure is very simple, which makes
it very uncomplicated to use. Therefore, users need little time to get used to the device. Its favourable
price is one of the many advantages of this infrared camera.

The device is commonly used in construction, electrical installation and diagnostics, as well as production
and maintenance processes.

The fact that the camera has only very few buttons makes it easily possible to operate it with only one
hand.

2 Safety notes

Please read this manual carefully and completely before you use the device for the first time. The device
may only be used by qualified personnel and repaired by PCE Instruments personnel. There is no
warranty of damages or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual and particularly of the safety
information. In addition to the local rules at your workplace, the following safety notes must be observed
at any time.

- The device may only be used in approved temperature range. Do not make any measurements if the
ambient temperature is higher than the one stated in the specifications.

- Avoid exposure to extreme radiation, e. g. from sunlight, carbon dioxide lasers or arc welders.

- Protect the device from dust and water. If you work in an environment which is close to water, make
sure that the device is also protected from splashing water.

- The case must only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments. Otherwise, the warranty will

become void.

- The instrument should never be placed with the user interface facing an object (e.g. keyboard side on a
table).

- You should not make any technical changes to the device.

- The non-optical parts of the camera should be cleaned with a soft cloth which has been dipped into
water. The optical parts should only be cleaned if they are visibly dirty. Use a lens cleaning cloth.

- Always hold the camera tightly when using it.

- Whenever you do not wish to use the camera or want to transport it, ensure that it is in the carrying bag
designed for this purpose.

- Always make sure that the holes in the infrared camera are open and not blocked by any foreign
objects.

- Do not switch the camera back on within 15 seconds after switching it off.

- Do not expose the camera to impact, shock or strong vibration as this can cause damage to the camera
or parts of the camera.

- Only use the SD card with the infrared camera.

- Never attempt to disassemble or open the rechargeable battery and never expose it to fire or high
temperatures.

- Do not short-circuit the battery.

- Keep the battery away from water or moisture.

- For charging, only use the accessories you received along with this product.

- Do not touch the lens with your fingers.
This manual is published by PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
We expressly refer to our general guarantee terms, they can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments.

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3 Specifications

Resolution of sensor

80 x 80

Measurement range

0 ... +250 °C

Analysis functions

specific point temperature measurement
temperature area measurement (Tmax / Tmin)
HOLD function (Tmax / Tmin)

Display

LCD 320 x 240 pixels

Thermal sensitivity

80 mK

Lens

8 mm

Digital zoom

3 x

Field of view (FOV)

18.5 x 18.5 "

Frequency

50 Hz

Working temperature

0 ... +50 °C

Interface

micro USB

Measurement parameters

adjustable emissivity

Power supply

replaceable battery

Battery life

approx. 4 hours

Dimensions

103 x 98 x 258 mm

Weight

755 g

Protection class

IP43

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4 Device description

4.1 Camera components

4.2 Buttons

4.3 Display

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5 Instructions

5.1 To charge the battery

When the device is in charging mode, the red LED next to the micro USB interface glows permanently. In
case the battery is not fixed properly or completely missing, the red LED will flash until it has been
inserted correctly. Please bear in mind that the battery must be locked at its bottom side by means of the
locking mechanism so that it cannot be removed and can be charged properly.

5.1.1 To charge via the USB interface

It is possible to charge the device via the USB interface. To do so, connect the USB cable to the USB port
and the other end of the cable to the USB charging adapter included in the delivery. Then connect the
charging adapter to a socket. When first using the appliance, it must have been charged for at least four
hours, until the red charging signal turns off.

5.1.2 To charge via a charger

There is also the possibility to charge the battery via a charger which is, however, not included in the
delivery and can be purchased separately.

5.2 Data transfer

You can easily transfer your measured data to a suitable computer. You can remove the SD card from
the camera and insert it into an appropriate card reader which is connected to the computer. This is an
easy way to transfer the images from the camera to the computer.

The second possibility is to connect the camera to a computer directly via USB. Then you can transfer the
images to images to the computer. Please note that the display freezes when the camera is connected to
a computer.

5.3 Reference numbers of the most common material emissivities

Material

Emissivity

Water

0.96

Stainless steel

0.14

Polished aluminium

0.09

Black aluminium

0.95

Asphalt

0.96

Black paper

0.86

Concrete

0.97

Cast iron

0.81

Plaster

0.75

Rubber

0.95

Wood

0.85

Brick

0.75

Rubber belt

0.95

Polished copper

0.06

Human skin

0.98

PVC

0.93

Polycarbonate

0.80

Oxidised copper

0.78

Rust

0.80

Paint

0.90

Soil

0.93

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5.4 Start-up procedure

Before using the device for the first time, charge the battery sufficiently (for at least 4 hours). Insert the
battery correctly into the camera until you hear a clear clicking sound. Then connect the fuse to the
bottom side of the battery. Open the cap in front of the lens and put it on the top side of the camera. Due
to magnetism, the cap will not fall down during the measurement and interfere with it. After this, push the
power button on the right-hand side below the LC display for approx. 4 seconds. When the device is
completely switched on, you can start with your measurement.

5.5 Display

The display then shows the infrared image along with the colour palette on the right-hand side and the
adjustable emission rate in the upper left corner of the display. On the right next to the emission rate, the
temperature of the object pointed at by the hair cross in the middle of the display is indicated. On the
upper right-hand side, time and battery level are displayed.

5.6 To save images

By pushing the Trigger button on the front side of the infrared camera, the image shown on the display
can be saved on the SD card if an SD card is inserted. Make sure that the SD card is inserted if you want
to save your images. If this is not the case and the user still pushes the Trigger button, the display will

indicate “! No SD card”. If the images have been successfully saved on the SD card, the device will
indicate “Saving”.

5.7 Settings

You can make various settings to the device. To get to the menu, push the select left button directly under
the LCD. After this, the menu will open and you can decide what settings you wish to make by selecting
with the “+” and “-” buttons. By pushing the select button again, you can select the appropriate adjustment
range and use the sub-menus in the same way as the main menu. The following sub-menus are
available:

5.7.1 Main display

In this menu, the display only shows the image, the colour palette, the emissivity, the hair cross and the
battery level. If you want to make a measurement where the hair cross is located, you must pull the
trigger. The temperature measured at that point will also be indicated. This will remain on the LCD until a
new measurement is triggered. If you push the select left button again, the device will show all information
on the display again.

5.7.2 Temperature analysis

For temperature analysis, you can choose between different measurement functions. You can select the

functions “point” (standard), “range max.”, “range min.”, “over” and “below”. If you choose point
measurement, you measure the point shown by the hair cross. When you choose “range max.”, the

display will show a range in the form of a square. Inside the square, the hair cross will now appear and

jump to the warmest spot inside the square. The measurement function “range min.” works the same way

with the only difference that the hair cross will show the coldest spot in the image. The functions “over”
and “below” are set point measurements. The user can set the measurement value. If you have selected

the “over” function, the range above the chosen temperature is indicated in green. When you have
selected the “below” function, the opposite is the case. If the camera detects objects the temperature of

which is below the set value, these objects are indicated in red.

5.7.3 Emissivity setting

The emissivity is set by the user here. The most common materials are already pre-set. In case you wish
to set another emissivity, you must choose “user setting”. Here you can set an emissivity yourself.

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5.7.4 Palette

Here the user can set the palette shown on the display during the measurement. Different palettes are
available for different purposes. You can navigate through the palettes by means of the arrow buttons.

5.7.5 Temperature setting

Here you can select the temperature unit, either °C or °F.

5.7.6 System setting

Via the system settings you can change or set various functions, for instance you can set automatic
switch-off or functions like date, time, language or brightness. You can also reset the device to factory
defaults. Furthermore, you can find a help function which makes it easier for the user to handle the
device.

5.8 Focussing

To get a high-resolution image, you can find a focusing wheel at the front side of the camera which is
used to adjust the resolution of the images in line with different distances.

5.9 Colour scale

The colour scale is on the right-hand side of the display and runs vertically. The colours of the scale
change in line with the palette used for the measurement. It gives an approximate outline of the
temperatures measured outside the hair cross. In relation to the ambient temperatures, the colour scale
can be very detailed. There are two different modes for this purpose: the “auto” mode and the “lock” mode

(factory default setting). If “lock” mode is on, the scale has fixed extremes. In “auto” mode, the limits are

variable and adapt to their environment.

5.10 To display images

To display the images, you must push the play button below the select left button so that the saved
images are shown on the display. You can then have a look at them again or delete them. If you push the

play button and the display shows the text “”! No SD card”, the SD card has been removed and must be

inserted again. In this case, the display will also show a symbol on the left side of the time indication
which looks like a stylised SD card along with an exclamation mark.

5.11 Switch-off

There are several possibilities to switch the device off. Firstly, it is possible to switch the device off for
only a short time to save battery power. To do so, you must only push and release the power button. To
unfreeze the display, you must push the power button again or pull the trigger.
To switch the device off completely and permanently, you must push and hold the power button. The
switch-off process is then indicated on the display. Hold the button until the indication “POWER OFF” is
complete and the device switches off as otherwise the process would be interrupted and the device would
remain switched on.
After switching the device off, the cover should be closed again to ensure protection of the lens.