PCE Instruments PCE-TC 30N Thermal Imaging Camera User Manual

PCE Instruments PCE-TC 30N Thermal Imaging Camera

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. Damage or injuries caused by non- observance of the manual are excluded from our liability and not covered by our warranty.

• The device must only be used as described in this instruction manual. If used otherwise, this can cause dangerous situations for the user and damage to the meter.
• The instrument may only be used if the environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity, …) are within the ranges stated in the technical specifications. Do not expose the device to extreme temperatures, direct sunlight, extreme humidity or moisture.
• Do not expose the device to shocks or strong vibrations.
• The case should only be opened by qualified PCE Instruments personnel.
• Never use the instrument when your hands are wet.
• You must not make any technical changes to the device.
• The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth. Use only pH-neutral cleaner, no abrasives or solvents.
• The device must only be used with accessories from PCE Instruments or equivalent.
• Before each use, inspect the case for visible damage. If any damage is visible, do not use the device.
• Do not use the instrument in explosive atmospheres.
• The measurement range as stated in the specifications must not be exceeded under any circumstances.
• Non-observance of the safety notes can cause damage to the device and injuries to the user.
• Never aim the laser beam at people or animals.
• Never look directly into the laser beam.
• If the product is found to have smoke, sparks and a burning smell during use, stop using it immediately.
• In such a case, first disconnect the meter from the power supply. After the smoke and the peculiar smell have completely disappeared, contact PCE Instruments.

We do not assume liability for printing errors or any other mistakes in this manual.
We expressly point to our general guarantee terms which can be found in our general terms of business.
If you have any questions please contact PCE Instruments. The contact details can be found at the end of this manual.

Specifications

Technical specifications

Optical specifications

Temperature range| -20 … +450 °C (-4 °F … +842 °F)
Accuracy| ±2 °C or ±2 % of reading up to 300 °C

±5 % of reading at >300 °C

Field of view (FOV)| 35 ° x 26 °
Smallest focus distance| 0.15 m
Infrared resolution| 160 x 120 pixels
Thermal sensitivity| 0.07 °C
Wavelength range| 8 … µm
Focus| fixed focus
Calibration of the measurement| Auto
Number of spots| 3
Representation
Display| 2.8″ TFT; resolution: 240 x 320 pixels
Picture-in-picture function| Adjustable: 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%
Frame rate| 9 Hz
Color palettes| Spectrum / Iron / Cold / White / Black
Emissivity| Variable 0.01 … 1.0
Memory
Image memory| Internal SD card 3 GB for more than 20000 images
Image format| JPG
Settings
Setting options| Automatic Shutdown, intensity (brightness), language, temperature unit, time, spot
Languages| English, German, Chinese, and Italian
Power supply
Battery| Internal rechargeable battery, approx. 2800 mAh
Operating time| 2 … 3 h
Voltage supply| 100…240 VAC 50/60 Hz
Interface| Micro USB for charging and memory readout on a PC
Automatic Shutdown| Adjustable, after 5 or 20 minutes or off
Environmental conditions
Temperature| Operation: 0 … +45 °C

Storage: -20 … +60 °C

Relative humidity| < 85 % r. RH (non-condensing)
Dimensions| 96 x 72 x 226 mm / 3.8 x 4.1 x 8.9 in
Weight| 389 g / / <1 lb

Delivery scope

• 1 x thermal imaging camera PCE-TC 30N 1 x USB cable
• 1 x USB mains adaptor
• 1 x user manual
• 1 x carrying bag

System description

Device

Getting started

Please note that the instrument should acclimatize to the current environmental conditions before connecting it to the charger. Do not charge the instrument in hot or cold places. Charging in extreme temperatures will reduce the capacity of the battery. The micro USB cable can be used for charging but also for transferring images.

Charging the battery

The PCE-TC 30N thermal imaging camera has a built-in rechargeable Li-Ion battery. If the battery level is low, this is indicated by the symbol. at the top right of the screen. Charge the thermal imaging camera via the micro USB interface. To do this, proceed as follows:

• Connect the supplied USB cable to the micro USB interface of the thermal imaging camera.
• Connect the other side of the USB cable to the supplied mains adaptor.
• Now plug the mains adaptor into a protected contact socket designed for this purpose.

Note
Before charging, make sure that the battery, charger, and camera are acclimatized to the current environmental conditions. Charging under extreme temperatures can have a negative impact on the battery life. Do not charge the battery for more than 24 hours.

Display description

Color palette
The color palette is used to distinguish the temperature zones from high to low. Different color palettes are available. The color scale on the right edge of the screen automatically scales between the highest and lowest measured temperature in the screen section.
The temperature in the center of the Image
The white crosshairs in the centre of the image indicate the temperature at the focus of the thermal imaging camera.
Maximum temperature in the current image section
The red mark appears where the highest temperature is measured in the current image section. At the same time, this is shown in the lower left area of the display.
Minimum temperature in the current image section

Control panel

Switching the instrument on and off
Press and hold the menu key for more than 3 seconds to switch the thermal imaging camera on or off. After switching on, the display shows the last selected image mode.
Switching the LED on and off
Press and hold the trigger key for at least 5 seconds to turn the LED on or off.
Picture-in-picture function
This function enables the IR image to overlap the image from the integrated digital camera. In this way, measured objects can be clearly assigned. The overlapping can be adjusted in 25 % steps by pressing the left or right navigation key in normal measuring mode.
Saving images
To do this, press the key on the handle of the thermal imaging camera in normal measuring mode. A dialogue window appears, which can be confirmed with the menu key or canceled with the select/enter key.
Note
If the thermal imaging camera is connected to a PC via USB, it is not possible to save screen captures.
Show/hide the minimum and maximum temperature
To do this, press the upper navigation key in normal measuring mode. In addition to the minimum or maximum measured temperature, the current time is also shown or hidden in the lower right corner of the display.

Menu

Image overlapping

To exactly overlap the real image of the integrated digital camera with the images from the infrared camera, carry out the following steps:
First, open the menu with the menu key. Select the menu item “Image registration” and confirm it with the select/enter key. A large crosshair appears in the centre of the screen. Now the infrared image can be adjusted exactly to the image of the digital camera using the navigation keys (up, down, left, right).
Note
For very precise adjustment of the infrared image, it is recommended to set image overlapping to a maximum of 50 % as otherwise, no digital image may be recognizable. Furthermore, the exact positioning of the infrared image depends on the distance of the object to be examined.

Show saved images

Open the menu with the menu key and navigate with the navigation keys up or down to the menu item “Image”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All saved pictures are now displayed here as a continuous list. The following functions are now available:

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: view the highlighted image
  • Navigation key left or right: view previous or next image
  • Navigation key to delete the current image; confirm dialogue window with menu key; cancel with select/enter key
  • Select/enter key: Exit View
• Navigation key left: Exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Color palettes

5 different color palettes are available for displaying thermal gradients on targeted objects. The gloss or surface texture of objects may require a change of color palette so that distinct thermal gradients become visible. The color palettes rainbow, iron, cold, white, and black are available. If the temperature differences of the targeted object are high, a colored palette should be selected.
See several example images with the respective color palettes below:

Set color palette

Open the menu using the menu key and use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Color palette”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. Here, all available color palettes are displayed in a list. The following functions are available:

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: apply the currently selected color palette
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Emissivity

Every object with a temperature above absolute zero emits thermal radiation. The emissivity is the indicator of how much thermal radiation this object emits in contrast to an ideal thermal radiator, the black body. The emissivity is therefore always between 0 … 1 (0 … 100 %).

Set emissivity

Open the menu using the menu key and use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Emissivity”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. Here, all available emissivities are displayed in a list. The following functions are available:

• 4 standard emissivities are available:
  • matt (e=0.95)
  • semi-matt (e=0.85)
  • slightly glossy (e=0.60)
  • glossy (e=0.30)
  • individual (e=0 … 1)
• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept currently selected emissivity
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Note
When selecting individual emissivity, the emissivity can be set between 0 … 1 with the navigation keys up or down; the decimal place can be changed with the navigation keys left or right; to accept, press the select/enter key.

Emissivities of common materials

Settings

Open the menu using the menu key and use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Setting”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list. The following functions are available:

Automatic shutdown

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Automatic Shutdown”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Brightness

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Brightness”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Language

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Language”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Unit

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Unit”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are shown here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Time format

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Time format”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Time

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Set time”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: edit current selection
  • Navigation key up or down: change number at marked decimal place
  • Navigation key left or right: change decimal place
  • Select/enter key: save edit
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Spot

Use the navigation keys up or down to highlight the menu item “Cold/hotspot”. Pressing the navigation key on the right takes you to the submenu. All available settings are displayed here in a list.

• Navigation key up or down: scroll through the list
• Select/enter key: accept the current selection
• Navigation key left: exit submenu
• Menu key: back to measuring mode

Maintenance

Cleaning

The meter should be stored at room temperature. The lens of the infrared sensor is the most sensitive part of the instrument. Make sure that it is always clean. If the lens ever becomes dirty, it should only be cleaned with a soft cotton cloth or stick. Use only water or medical alcohol for cleaning. The lens should be completely dry before the meter is used again. Do not immerse the instrument in water.

Troubleshooting

The following problems may occur during the operation of the thermal imaging camera. If the suggested solutions are not helpful, please contact PCE Instruments.

Fully charge the thermal imaging camera with the supplied USB cable (see

3.2.1)

The thermal imaging camera switches itself off during operation| The battery is discharged| Fully charge the thermal imaging camera with the

supplied USB cable (see 3.2.1)

 | Automatic     shutdown     is activated| Switch on the thermal imaging camera again and change the setting of the automatic shutdown, if

necessary (see 4.5.1).

Contact
If you have any questions, suggestions, or technical problems, please do not hesitate to contact us. You will find the relevant contact information at the end of this user manual.

Disposal

• For the disposal of batteries in the EU, the 2006/66/EC directive of the European Parliament applies. Due to the contained pollutants, batteries must not be disposed of as household waste. They must be given to collection points designed for that purpose.
• In order to comply with the EU directive 2012/19/EU we take our devices back. We either re-use them or give them to a recycling company that disposes of the devices in line with the law.
• For countries outside the EU, batteries, and devices should be disposed of in accordance with your local waste regulations.
• If you have any questions, please contact PCE Instruments.

www.pce-instruments.com.

PCE Instruments’ contact information

Germany

• PCE Deutschland GmbH
• Im Langel 4
• D-59872 Meschede
• Deutschland
• Tel.: +49 (0) 2903 976 99 0
• Fax: +49 (0) 2903 976 99 29 info@pce-instruments.com.  www.pce-instruments.com/deutsch.

United Kingdom

• PCE Instruments UK Ltd
• Unit 11 Southpoint Business Park Ensign Way, Southampton Hampshire
• United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
• Tel: +44 (0) 2380 98703 0
• Fax: +44 (0) 2380 98703 9  info@pce-instruments.co.uk www.pce-instruments.com/english

The Netherlands

• PCE Brookhuis B.V. Institutenweg 15
• 7521 PH Enschede
• Nederland
• Telefoon: +31 (0)53 737 01 92 info@pcebenelux.nl  www.pce-instruments.com/dutch

France

• PCE Instruments France EURL
• 23, rue de Strasbourg
• 67250 Soultz-Sous-Forets
• France
• Téléphone: +33 (0) 972 3537 17 Numéro de fax: +33 (0) 972 3537 18 info@pce-france.fr  www.pce-instruments.com/french

Italy

• PCE Italia s.r.l.
• Via Pesciatina 878 / B-Interno 6 55010 Loc. Gragnano
• Capannori (Lucca)
• Italia
• Telefono: +39 0583 975 114
• Fax: +39 0583 974 824  info@pce-italia.it  www.pce-instruments.com/italiano

Hong Kong

• PCE Instruments HK Ltd.
• Unit J, 21/F., COS Centre
• 56 Tsun Yip Street
• Kwun Tong
• Kowloon, Hong Kong
• Tel: +852-301-84912  jyi@pce-instruments.com  www.pce-instruments.cn

Spain

• PCE Ibérica S.L.
• Calle Mayor, 53
• 02500 Tobarra (Albacete)
• España
• Tel. : +34 967 543 548
• Fax: +34 967 543 542  info@pce-iberica.es  www.pce-instruments.com/espanol

Turkey

• PCE Teknik Cihazları Ltd.Şti. Halkalı Merkez Mah.
• Pehlivan Sok. No.6/C
• 34303 Küçükçekmece – İstanbul Türkiye
• Tel: 0212 471 11 47
• Faks: 0212 705 53 93  info@pce-cihazlari.com.tr  www.pce-instruments.com/turkish

United States of America

• PCE Americas Inc.
• 1201 Jupiter Park Drive, Suite 8 Jupiter / Palm Beach
• 33458 FL
• USA
• Tel: +1 561-320-9162
• Fax: +1 561-320-9176  info@pce-americas.com

References

• France.fr : Explore France and its wonders - Explore France
• iberica.es
• Make an offer on the domain instruments.co.uk - Domains.co.uk
• Computer Instruments | Home
• Discover Italy: Official Tourism Website - Italia.it
• PCE（北京）科技有限公司
• PCE Teknik Cihazlar Paz. Tic. Ltd.Şti. | PCE Instruments

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