PCE Instruments PCE-TC 2 User Manual

www.pce-industrial-needs.com

Tursdale Technical Services Ltd
Unit N12B
Tursdale Business Park
Co. Durham
DH6 5PG
United Kingdom
Phone: +44 ( 0 ) 191 377 3398
Fax: +44 ( 0 ) 191 377 3357

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http://www.industrial-needs.com/

Manual

Thermal camera PCE-TC 2

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1. Contents of the case. ....................................................................................................................................... 3

2. Main features and controls. ............................................................................................................................. 4

3. Getting started. ................................................................................................................................................. 5

a) Switching the camera on/off ....................................................................................................................... 5

b) Charging the internal battery ...................................................................................................................... 5

c) Focusing ....................................................................................................................................................... 5

Hotkey buttons ............................................................................................................................................. 6

d) Menu .............................................................................................................................................................. 6

e) Saving an image ........................................................................................................................................... 6

f) Temperature measurement .......................................................................................................................... 7

4. Thermal and visible image blending ............................................................................................................... 7

Image alignment ............................................................................................................................................... 8

5. Menu structure. ................................................................................................................................................. 9

5.1. Infrared settings .............................................................................................................................. 10

5.2. Measurement options ..................................................................................................................... 10

5.3. Camera settings ............................................................................................................................. 12

5.4. Audio settings ................................................................................................................................ 12

5.5. Image browser ................................................................................................................................ 13

5.6. Date & Time settings ....................................................................................................................... 13

5.7. Language selection ........................................................................................................................ 14

6. Adding captions when saving images ......................................................................................................... 15

6.1. Voice message ........................................................................................................................................ 15

6.2. Text captions ........................................................................................................................................... 16

7. Appendix ......................................................................................................................................................... 17

7.1. Emissivity tables ..................................................................................................................................... 17

7.2. Full icon list. ............................................................................................................................................ 18

7.3. Technical specification ........................................................................................................................... 19

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1. Contents of the case.

1. The case.

2. Camera.

3. PSU and International adaptors.

4. CD – User manual and software.

5. USB cable (camera to PC).

6. Handle.

7. Quick start guide.

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2. Main features and controls.

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3. Getting started.

a) Switching the camera on/off

b) Charging the internal battery

c) Focusing

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Focus bar Out of focus Focused

When focusing a focus bar appears on the screen to assist in focusing the image. It indicates the approximate
distance in metres (in feet when °F is selected) of a focussed target from the camera.

Hotkey buttons

The Hotkey functions are indicated by the icons or text displayed on the screen above them.
These functions vary according to the operating options chosen by the user. A yellow box around the icon for
Hotkey1 or Hotkey2 indicates that this option is selected and this defines the operation of the navigation and
toggle buttons. In normal imaging mode, Hotkey 3 may be used to freeze the image; pressing it again returns
the camera to live operation. Hotkey 4 is used to enter and exit the menu. See appendix A2 for a full icon list.

d) Menu

The Menu is selected by Hotkey 4. Use the Navigation buttons to move around and use Hotkey 3 to select a
menu function. Full details of menus in section 5.

e) Saving an image

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To save a live or frozen image, press the Save button once. If Caption Mode or Voice Annotation has been
turned on, a text caption or voice annotation can be attached to the image (see section 6). Please note that
Hotkey 3 can be used to toggle between a live image and a frozen image.

f) Temperature measurement

Temperature readings are displayed at the top of the display. In the default mode, a single temperature in °C is
of the centre point of the cursor. The other readings at the top of the display are emissivity settings and
reflected temperature setting. Two cursors or a measurement area can be selected from the measurement
options menu (see section 5). The temperature range within the scene is indicated by a scale on the right hand
side of the display.

4. Thermal and visible image blending

The camera can show a thermal image or a visible image of the scene, or a mixed blend of both.

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1. Press Hotkey 2 until the Visible On/Off icon appears

2. If off press the centre toggle button to toggle to Visible On .

3. Use either the up/down, or left/right navigation buttons to merge (blend) the visible and thermal images.

Blend options are 0%, 25%, 50% 75% and 100%.

Image alignment

As the visible and thermal camera are not co-axial the visible and thermal image often need to be aligned. This
is usually required when moving to view objects at different distances.

1. Press Hotkey 2 to toggle through to the Visible On/Off icon . If off toggle the centre

button

to turn the visible option on .

2. Press Hotkey 1 to toggle through to the alignment option .

3. Use the up/down and left/right navigation buttons to align the thermal and visible images.

4. The alignment facility is only available when the camera is on and in live mode.

♦ Note the visual image is moved during alignment.

Examples of alignment.

Fully Aligned

Align left Align right

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Align up Align down

5. Four pre-programmed alignment distances are included. These are at 0.5m, 1m, 2m and 4m ranges. With the

alignment option selected by HK1, pressing the toggle button once aligns at 2 metres. Pressing the toggle
button again allows you to cycle through to 4m, 0.5m and 1m. These values appear in feet if °F is selected.

5. Menu structure.

a) Select the menu by pressing Hotkey 4 .

b) Navigate through the menu using the navigation button s and press Hotkey 3 to select the
required option. The highlighted item will have a yellow box around it.

c) Use the up/down buttons to move in the selected list and select the required item.

d) Use the left/right buttons to change values and options for the specific item.

e) Press Hotkey 4 to exit or Hotkey 1 to go back to the previous menu.

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5.1. Infrared settings

See frequently asked questions for more details of each item.

• Emissivity
Set emissivity value between 0.10 and 1.00 for measuring temperature.
Pressing Hotkey 3 (ε Table) gives a table of emissivity values of common materials from which a selection can
be made.

• Palette

Display in image using different colour palettes.

1. Ironbow 5. High Contrast

2. Rainbow 6. Rainbow 16

3. Isotherm Style 7. Black Hot

4. Hot Metal 8. White Hot

• Reflected Temp
Usually set to the ambient temperature.
Applies only when emissivity of less than 1 is selected.

• Temp units

Choose between °C and °F.

• Integration

Chose an integration period from 1 (fast) to 9 (slow).
This determines the trade off between display speed and noise.

• Interpolation

Choose Off or On.
This shows or hides the thermal image pixelation.

5.2. Measurement options

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This menu enables the selection of options for temperature measurements. The symbols shown below indicate
the icons shown for Hotkey 1 when the various options are selected.
See frequently asked questions for more details of each item.

o Cursors

Choose between one or two cursors. When two cursors are chosen, the temperatures at both
cursors and the temperature difference between them will be displayed. When one of the cursors is selected by
Hotkey 1, it can be moved around on the display by the navigation buttons.

o Tracking

Select “High”, “Low”, or “High & Low” in order to track and measure the hottest point, the coldest point, or
both hottest and coldest points in the image.

o Area

If this option is turned on, the highest, lowest, and average temperatures within the designated area will
be displayed. Three different area size boxes can be selected via Hotkey 1.

Note: that the above three items are mutually exclusive, i.e. when one is turned on the other two are
disabled.

o Isotherms

Select “High”, “Low”, or “High & Low” in order to highlight areas of the scene with temperatures
within one or two temperature bands. The temperature bands are adjustable by means of Hotkey 1 and the
navigation keys.

o Temp. profile

Select “Horizontal” or “Vertical” to enable a histogram of temperature values along a horizontal or
vertical cross section to be displayed on the right hand side of the display. The position of the cross section is
indicated by small arrows at the left and right or top and bottom of the image and can be adjusted by means of
Hotkey 1 and the navigation buttons.

o Temp alarms

.Select “High”, “Low”, or “High & Low”. Visual and audio alarms will be triggered if either cursor or a
point within the designated area is higher or lower than a set temperature. The high and low set temperatures
may be adjusted by means of Hotkey 1 and the navigation buttons.

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5.3. Camera settings

See frequently asked questions for more details.

o LCD brightness

Select from 1 (low) to 9 (high) to control the screen brightness to save battery power.

o Caption mode

Select “On” to enable the addition of a text caption when saving an image. Options will then be displayed when
saving an image, to be selected by means of Hotkey 2 and hotkey 3.

o Auto off

Select “5 Mins”, “10 Mins”, “20 Mins” to allow the camera to switch itself off after a defined period of inactivity in
order to save power. There is also an “Always On” option.

o Camera reset

Select with Hotkey 3 to restore the factory settings.

5.4. Audio settings

See frequently asked questions for more details of each item.

o Imager sounds

Select “Off” to mute all audible outputs.

o Voice annotation

Select “Session” to add a voice message at the start of a set of images
(A session ends when the imager is switched off).
Select “Individual” to add a voice message to each saved image.
Select “Combined” to add a common voice message at the start of a set of images and add additional
comments for each image.

o Voice playback

Select “speaker” or “headset” for the desired method of audible outputs.

o Volume

Select the volume of the audible outputs from 1 to 9.

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If session is selected the voice message is recorded in the audio settings by pressing Hotkey 3. Recording is
stopped by pressing Hotkey 3 again. Hotkey 2 can be used to play back the recorded message. Hotkey 3 can
be used to re-record if necessary.

5.5. Image browser

The saved images are shown on the screen with the most recently saved image first.

Select the desired image by means of the navigation keys.
To display the selected image press Hotkey 3.
To delete the selected image press Hotkey 2, to confirm deletion press Hotkey 3.

When a stored image is displayed, press Hotkey 3 to return to live imaging.

5.6. Date & Time settings

a) Use the left/right buttons to navigate in this menu, the item that can be changed is highlighted in red.
In the picture above the day (DD) 14 is highlighted.

b) Use the up/down buttons to change the value.

c) The date formats can be changed by pressing Hotkey 2 to cycle through DD-MM-YYYY, MM-DD-YYYY and
YYYY-MM-DD options. Pressing Hotkey 4 will select the option on the display.

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5.7. Language selection

When the language is highlighted (shown by a yellow box around it) press Hotkey 3 to select.

French German Italian

Spanish Portuguese Chinese

Korean Japanese

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6. Adding captions when saving images

6.1. Voice message

When saving an image with Individual Voice Annotation turned on, there is the option of saving a voice
message with each image. The screen shots below describe the procedure:

a) Do you wish to attach a voice message to this saved
image?

Hotkey 2 for no . Hotkey 3 for yes .

b) Start voice recording? Hotkey 3 for yes.

c) Stop Recording Hotkey 3 to stop.

d) Option to Re-record the voice message?

Hotkey 2 for Yes Hotkey 3 for No

e) If caption mode is selected this option will now be offered

to save a text caption.(see 6.2)

f) Image with voice message is being saved.

Playback

The voice recording can be played back when viewing saved images in the browser.

Note: The abort Icon on Hotkey4.
Pressing Hotkey 4 at any stage aborts the saving process.

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6.2. Text captions

When saving an image with Caption Mode turned on, there is the option of attaching a text caption to each
image. The screen shots below describe the procedure:

a) Do you wish to attach a text caption message to this image?
Hotkey 2 for No Hotkey 3 for Yes

b) Start Caption Entry

c) Example of a Caption.

• Captions cannot be viewed with the saved images in the browser due to display constraints.

The captions can be viewed using the PC software.

1. Use the up/down arrow buttons to cycle
through letters and numbers until the one required
appears. The available symbols are:
ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijklmn
opqrstuvwxyz0123456789

2. Use the left/right arrow buttons to move to the
next space and repeat the above step until the caption
is completed.

3. Press Hotkey 2 to clear the whole
message.

4. Press Hotkey 4 to exit and save the image

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7. Appendix

7.1. Emissivity tables

Emissivity look up tables in Camera

1.00

0.98 = Human skin

0.95

0.94 = Paint, oil

0.93 = Brick red

0.92 = Concrete

0.90 = Planed Oak Wood

0.85

0.80

0.79 = Oxidized steel

0.78 = Oxidized Copper

0.76 = Sand

0.75

0.70 = Red Rust

0.67 = Water

0.65

0.64 = Oxidized Cast Iron

General Emissivity Look up tables

0.98 = Carbon filed surface

0.98 = Frost crystals

0.98 = Human skin

0.97 = Slate

0.96 = Water distilled

0.96 = Ice smooth

0.95 = Soil saturated with water

0.95 = Carbon candle soot

0.94 = Glass polished plate

0.94 = Paint, oil

0.93 = Brick red

0.93 = Paper white bond

0.92 = Concrete

0.92 = Soil dry

0.91 = Plaster rough coat

0.90 = Wood planed oak

0.90 = Glazed earthenware

0.89 = Snow, granular

0.88 = Glazed Silica

0.87 = Cuprous Oxide at 38°C

0.86 = Emery Corundum

0.85 = Snow

0.85 = Stainless oxidized at 800°C

0.84 = Oxidised Iron at 500°C

0.83 = Cuprous Oxide at 260°C

0.82 = Snow, fine particles

0.81 = Brass, unoxidised

0.80 = Glass, convex D

0.79 = Steel oxidised

0.78 = Copper heavily oxidised

0.77 = Cotton cloth

0.76 = Sand

0.75 = Unglazed silica

0.74 = Oxidised iron at 100°C

0.73 = Coating No. C20A

0.72 = Basalt

0.71 = Graphitised carbon at 500°C

0.70 = Red Rust

0.69 = Iron sheet heavily rusted

0.67 = Water

0.66 = Black Loam

0.65 = White cement

0.64 = Iron cast oxidised

0.63 = Lead oxidised at 1100°F

0.62 = Zirconia on inconel

0.61 = Cu-Zn, brass oxidised

0.58 = Inconel sheet at 760°C

0.56 = Smooth white marble

0.55 = Al anodised chromic acid

0.21 = Iron cast polished

0.20 = Brass rubbed 80 grit emery

0.16 = Stainless steel 18-8 buffed

0.09 = Aluminium as received

0.07 = Steel polished

0.05 = Aluminium polished sheet

0.05 = Copper polished

0.03 = Brass highly polished

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7.2. Full icon list.

Hotkey one

Cursor one.

Cursor two.

Alignment.

Tracking.

Area.

Isotherm high.

Isotherm low.

Profile horizontal.

Profile vertical.

Alarm high.

Alarm low.

Playback.

Hotkey two

Camera off.

Camera on.

Auto temperature range.

Manual temperature range.

Light off.

Light on.

No.

Yes.

Hotkey three

Live.

. Freeze.

No.

Yes

Hotkey Four

Menus.

Abort

Other Icons

Level Down

Level Up

Level Maximum

Level Minimum

No Memory Card

Span Out

Span In

Span Maximum

Span Minimum

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7.3. Technical specification

Performance

Temperature range: -10°C to +350°C
Field of view (FOV): 20°x 20°
Spectral Response: 8µm to 12 µm
Sensitivity: ≤0.3°C @ 30°C
Detector: 47 x 47 pixel array
Frame rate: 8Hz
Focus Range: 0.5m to infinity

Image storage
Number: Up to 1000 images on SD card supplied
Medium: Micro SD Card

Display
3½” colour LCD with LED Backlight. 8 colour palettes. Mixed thermal and visible images.

Laser pointer
A built in Class 2 laser is supplied to highlight the centre of the thermal image. (Aligned at 2 metres)
Beam Divergence <0.2mrad
Maximum Output <1mW

Measurement
Temperature range: -10°C to +350°C
Radiometry: Two moveable temperature measurement cursors
Temperature difference measurement

Emissivity Correction: User selectable 0.10 to 1.00 in steps of 0.01 with reflected ambient temperature
compensation.

Accuracy: The greater of ±2°C or ±2% of reading in °C

Imager power supply
Battery: Lithium-ion field rechargeable.
Operation time: Up to 6 hours continuous operation
AC operation: AC adaptor supplied

Mechanical
Housing: Impact Resistant Plastic with over moulded soft plastic and detachable handle
Dimensions: 130mmx95mmx90mm (excluding handle)
Weight: 0.70kg
Mounting: Handheld & tripod mounting 1/4" BSW

Settings and controls

• On/Off soft power control

• User selectable span control

• User selectable level control

• Auto adjust span and level

• Laser trigger switch

• Readout in °C or °F

• User selectable image integration

• User selectable emissivity setting

• User selectable reflected temperature

• Two moveable temperature measurement cursors

• Area analysis

• X-Y profiles

• Isotherms

• Text annotation

• Voice annotation

• Image capture, time and date

• Visual/audio alarm high and low

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Optional accessories

• 12V car charger

• Light shade.

Features

• Real-time image and temperature measurement display

• Visible/thermal/mixed image fusion (100%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 0%)

• Simple operation

• Multiple temperature measurement

• Image browser

• Battery Charge indicator

• Lightweight

• Laser Pointer

• Auto hot/cold seeker

• Languages

PCE-TC 2 Includes
Camera, Handle, Battery, AC Adaptor, Quick start guide, Carrying Case, CD with user manual and software
(Analysis and report writer)

Computer requirements (for PC software)
PC: IBM compatible PC with a minimum of: 300MHz processor, MS Windows XP 128MB RAM
16 bit colour
graphics with 1024x768 capability

Environment
Temp. operating range: -5°C to +45°C
Humidity: 10% to 90% non condensing
Temp. storage range: -20°C to +60°C
CE Mark (Europe)
IP rating: IP54
Operating temp for stated accuracy: 23 ºC

SPECIFICATIONS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE

In this direction will find a vision of the measurement technique:

http://www.industrial-needs.com/measuring-instruments.htm

NOTE: "This instrument doesn’t have ATEX protection, so it should not be used in potentially explosive
atmospheres (powder, flammable gases)."