TOPDON TC001 Thermal Camera User Manual

: June 15, 2024
: TOPDON

Table of Contents

TOPDON TC001 Thermal Camera
What’s in the Box?
Preparation
Thermal Imaging
Taking Photo/Video
Adding/Removing Measurement Tools
Changing Color Palette
Temperature Monitoring
Using TC001 with PC
Screen Description
Specification
FAQ
Warranty
FCC
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Download This Manual (PDF format)

TOPDON TC001 Thermal Camera

Caution

Read all instructions before using.

Dog pertains time This may cause damage to the detector in the cares for
Please keep the unit away from water to avoid leakage or short circuit.
Do not touch the lens with your hands. Do not knock, pry, puncture, or scratch
Do not disassemble the unit.

What’s in the Box?

Using TC001 with a Mobile Device

Preparation

Download and install the TC001 app
Go to the Google Play and search TC001.
Alternatively, you can go to www.topdon.com/products/tc001, and enter the download page to install the TC001 app.
Connect the TC001 camera to an Android phone.
Plug the TC001 into your phone directly(see Figure 3.1.1). INFO: Or you can use the supplied adapter cable as an extension cable to connect the TC001 to your phone (see figure 3.1.2).
Open the TC001 app. The icon at the top right of the home screen 3. displays “Connected” (see figure 3.1.3).
Make sure the camera and storage permissions are enabled for the TC001 app before using it.

Thermal Imaging

Taking Photo/Video

At the bottom of the bar, tap to enter the photo/video recording screen.
Tap the camera button in the center of the bottom of the screen to take and save a snapshot.
Tap the record button in the lower right of the screen to switch to video mode. Tap again to start and stop recording.
To view the saved images/videos, tap on the thumbnail in the lower left corner (see figure 3.2.1).

Adding/Removing Measurement Tools

At the bottom bar, tap to display measurement tool selections.
Select to add a point of reference.
Select to add a line (for hot spot and cold spot detection).
Select to add a plane (for hot spot and cold spot detection).
Select add a center spot, hot spot, and cold spot detection over the entire image area.
Select to remove all measurement tools.

Changing Color Palette

This function allows users to change the pseudo-color display of the infrared image.

Follow the steps below to change the color palette:

Tap at the bottom bar.

Swipe right or left to select the desired palette.

Image Setting

Tap to enter the image setting menu.
Tap to rotate the image.
Tap to adjust the image sharpness.
Tap to adjust the image contrast.
Tap to open the camera of your phone and enable Image in Image mode.
Tap to enter DIY mode. Then, enter the lower and upper-temperature limits. You can also change the color display of areas where the temperature is out of the limits.

Temperature Range Setting
To better display the details of the object, please select an appropriate temperature range according to the expected temperature of the object you are inspecting.

Tap to display temperature range options.
Select Automatic Recognition/-20~150℃ (-4~302 ℉ )/150~550℃ (302~1022 ℉ ) according to your actual needs.

Temperature Monitoring

In this module, real-time temperature data can be displayed in a graph, allowing users to intuitively observe data changes.

Tap “Generate Image”, and select the desired monitoring type as prompted. Then, select the place to be monitored on the screen.
Tap “Start Recording”. The real-time temperature of the measured object will be displayed in a graph.

Gallery
To view the captured images and videos, tap “Gallery” on the home screen, or select the thumbnail image on the photo/video recording screen to access the Gallery.

Temperature Correction

To ensure the accuracy of measurement in different scenarios, this module allows users to set Ambient Temperature, Distance to Spot, and Emissivity in default mode, or add custom modes and set the corresponding parameters.
9 commonly used emissivity values are listed on the screen for reference. Please go to “Personal Information” and tap “Temperature Correction” to enter the setting screen.

Using TC001 with PC

Download and install the TCView software
Go to www.topdon.com/products/tc001, and click “Download” to enter the download page. Then download and install the TCView.
Connect the TC001 camera to a PC using the supplied adapter cable.

For PCs with a Type-C port:
Connect the Type-C female end of the adapter cable to the TC001, and connect the Type-C male end to your computer.

For PCs with a USB-A port:
Connect the Type-C female end of the adapter cable to the TC001. Then, plug the Type-C male end of the cable into the USB-A adapter and connect the USB-A end to your computer.

Screen Description

About
Click to view the version information of the connected TC001 camera.

Settings
The Settings function allows you to change color palette, emissivity, distance and temperature unit.

Save
Click to save the current temperature array.

Measurement Tool Setting

Select to add a dot.
Select to add a line.
Select to add a plane.
Select to remove all measurement tools.

Temperature Range Setting
Select the appropriate temperature range according to the expected temperature of the object you are inspecting.

Normal Temperature: – 20~150℃ (-4~302 ℉ )
High Temperature: 150~550℃ (302~1022 ℉ )

Refresh
The camera can perform an automatic calibration or image refreshment automatically to provide an optimal image. Users can also calibrate the TC001 manually by clicking “Refresh”.

Rotate
Click to rotate the image.

Image Area
Real-time Temperature Graphing

Specification

Spectral Range: 8~14μm
Resolution: 256×192 pixels
Pixel Size: 12μm
NETD: ＜ 50mK at 25°C, F#1.0, 25Hz
Frame Rate : 25Hz
Object Temperature Range: -20~150°C (-4~302°F), 150°C~550°C (302~1022°F)
Accuracy: ±2ºC or ±2% of reading, the larger value shall prevail

FAQ

Q: Why there is no response after connecting the TC001 to a phone?
A: Follow the below steps to identify the problem:
- a) Check if the blue LED indicator on the side of the TC001 is on. If not, the device may not be properly connected to your phone, or your phone does not support an OTG functionality.
- b) Check if OTG is available in your phone Settings and if it is ON. For most phones, OTG functions are enabled by default and can be used directly. If not, please search “OTG” in Settings and turn it on manually. Please note that the TC001 is not compatible with phones without OTG functions.
- c) Check if the version of Android is 6.0 or above.
- d) Check if you have downloaded the TC001 app and give the necessary authorization.
- e) Unplug the TC001 and reconnect it. If there is still no response, please contact after-sales personnel.
Q: Can the TC001 detect objects underwater, through glass, or a wall?
A: No. Infrared detectors mainly detect the long-wave infrared region of 8~14μm, and can only be used to measure surface temperature.
Q: Why does the temperature reading increase when the device gets closer to the object?
A: Infrared radiation attenuates when passing through the atmosphere. The longer the distance, the greater the attenuation. Thus, the accuracy of temperature measurement at a distance will decrease. To ensure the accuracy of measurement, please go to Personal Information – Settings – Temperature Correction – Distance to Spot, and input the actual distance (max: 5m) to get the corrected temperature.
Q: Is the TC001 compatible with iOS devices?
A: No. The TC001 is ONLY compatible with Android devices and Windows computers.
Q: Why is there a clicking sound? What does “shutter moving” mean?
A: The temperature of the infrared imager will change slightly during use. Therefore, a periodic internal temperature calibration is needed. The micromotor controlled activation or deactivation of such internal calibration makes such a sound, which is known in the industry as “shutter moving”.
Q: Why is the measured temperature not precise?
A: The temperature resolution of the TC001 is ±2%. And the TC001 provides a normal temperature range of -20~150°C (-4~302°F), and a high temperature range of 150-550°C (302~1022°F). Please select the corresponding range in the app before measuring.
Q: What external factors will affect the infrared temperature measurement?
A: The factors are as follows:
- a) Emissivity of the target object surface.
- b) Ambient temperature: the object will reflect the infrared rays emitted by surrounding objects, which affects the temperature measurement of the object itself.
- c) Atmospheric temperature: the atmosphere also emits infrared rays.
- d) Atmospheric transmittance: the infrared rays emitted by the object are attenuated in the atmosphere.
- e) Distance: the longer the distance, the greater the attenuation of the infrared rays emitted by the object in the atmosphere

Warranty

TOPDON’s One-Year Limited Warranty

TOPDON warrants to its original purchaser that the company’s products will be free from defects in material and workmanship for 12 months from the date of purchase (Warranty Period). For the defects reported during the Warranty Period, TOPDON will either repair or replace the defective part or product according to its technical support analysis and confirmation. TOPDON shall not be liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from the device’s use, misuse, or mounting.
Some states do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitations may not apply to you.

This limited warranty is void under the following conditions:

Misused, disassembled, altered, or repaired by unauthorized stores or technicians.
Careless handling and operation violation.

Notice: All information in this manual is based on the latest information available at the time of publication and no warranty can be made for its accuracy or completeness. TOPDON reserves the right to make changes at any time without notice.

FCC

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Its operation is subject to the following two conditions:

(1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and
(2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, under Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy. If not installed and used under the instructions, it may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that the interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

Reorient or relocate the antenna.
Increase the distance between the equipment and the receiver.
Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from the one connected to the receiver.
Consult a dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

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