7  Using a thermal camera

Measurements in thermal cameras show the temperature on the surface of an object. The measurement accuracy depends on many factors, including the distance from the object, the ambient temperature, and the emissivity of the material being observed.

Users are encouraged to learn more about the science of thermography from https://www.flir.com/support-center/training .

When the spot meter is enabled, the temperature displayed is affected by many factors, including a property of the target material known as emissivity. This property is a relative rating of how well the target material emits or radiates thermal energy. Some materials are more emissive than others; glossy or reflective materials such as metals tend to be poor emitters. For most materials, the default “matte” setting is a fair approximation.