The PCE-TC 30N thermal camera is a professional instrument for non-contact thermal diagnostics, designed for preventive maintenance, fault detection and quick inspection of systems, electrical components, machinery, heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems. It displays temperature differences as a thermal image, helping the technician identify overheating, heat losses, anomalies and critical points before they develop into machine downtime, failures or safety risks.

The core of the thermal camera is an uncooled microbolometer with 160 x 120 pixel resolution, suitable for maintenance checks and technical inspections in workshops, factories, construction sites or plant rooms. The -20 to 450 °C temperature range allows use in many industrial and building applications, from cold surfaces to components exposed to high heat. The 70 mK thermal sensitivity helps detect small temperature variations, useful for identifying local differences, thermal bridges, friction, heat losses or progressive overheating.

The camera operates in the 8 - 14 µm wavelength range, with a 9 Hz refresh rate and 35° x 26° field of view. Fixed focus makes the instrument easy to use during quick inspections, while the minimum distance of 0.15 m allows close inspection of components, terminals, boards, connections, mechanical parts and installation details. Accuracy is ±2 °C or ±2%, while from 300 °C accuracy is specified as ±5%.

One of the most important parameters for correct measurements is emissivity. The PCE-TC 30N allows emissivity to be adjusted from 0.01 to 1.00, adapting the measurement to the material being observed. Painted surfaces, plastics, rubber, oxidised metals, polished steel or reflective surfaces do not behave in the same way in the infrared range; for this reason, correctly setting emissivity helps improve reading reliability and reduce interpretation errors.

The picture-in-picture PiP function, adjustable to 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, allows the thermal image to be combined with the visible image, making it easier to identify the inspected point. This function is very useful when working on electrical panels, mechanical assemblies, complex systems or machines with many close components, because it links the thermal anomaly to the real component and improves inspection documentation.

The 2.8" TFT display with 320 x 240 pixel resolution provides immediate viewing of the thermal image and measurement information. The available colour palettes, including rainbow, iron red, cold colour, white and black, allow the display to be adapted to the analysis. A high-contrast palette can be useful for quickly identifying hot spots, while a more neutral display can make reading easier on large surfaces or with moderate thermal gradients.

The thermal camera includes a 300,000 pixel camera and an integrated 3 GB SD memory, sufficient to store more than 20,000 images in JPG format. This capacity is particularly useful during scheduled inspections, maintenance audits, checks on multiple machines or periodic system inspections. Images can be transferred to a PC via the Micro USB interface, which is also used for battery charging.

The PCE-TC 30N is suitable for checking electrical panels, terminals, connections, switches, relays, motors, bearings, pumps, gearboxes, heat exchangers, steam separators, HVAC systems, pipes, insulation and components subject to abnormal heating. In electrical applications it helps identify loose connections, overloads, phase imbalances and deteriorated components. In mechanical applications it allows the user to observe friction, insufficient lubrication, stressed bearings and unexpected heat generation areas.

In heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems, the thermal camera can be used to check heat distribution, thermal losses, pipes, radiators, ducts, cold spots, insulation and general system operation. In preventive maintenance it helps create an image history and compare the same component over time, detecting progressive changes before the fault becomes evident or causes system downtime.

The ergonomic pistol-grip design allows one-handed operation and makes the instrument practical even during extended inspections or in less accessible areas. Integrated LEDs help locate the measuring point in poorly lit areas. The approximate weight of 389 g and dimensions of 96 x 72 x 226 mm make the camera easy to carry and suitable for daily use by maintenance technicians, electricians, installers and technical staff.

Power is supplied by an integrated 18650 battery of approximately 2800 mAh, with an operating time of 2 to 3 hours. The power supply supports 100 - 240 V AC 50/60 Hz input and 5 V / 2 A DC output. Automatic switch-off can be set after 5 or 20 minutes of inactivity, helping preserve battery life. Operating conditions are 0 to 45 °C with relative humidity below 85% without condensation, while storage conditions are -20 to 60 °C.

For reliable results, emissivity should be set according to the material, direct reflections on shiny surfaces should be avoided, measurement distance should be kept consistent, similar components should be compared under the same operating conditions and a single hot spot should not be interpreted without considering load, environment and machine operation. In electrical panels, for example, it is useful to compare the three phases with each other; on motors and bearings, equivalent components should be compared or trends checked over time.

The PCE-TC 30N thermal camera is therefore a practical and professional solution for quickly identifying thermal anomalies and documenting maintenance work. The combination of 160 x 120 pixel sensor, range up to 450 °C, 70 mK sensitivity, PiP function, colour palettes, memory for over 20,000 images and ergonomic structure makes it suitable for preventive maintenance, plant inspection, electrical diagnostics, mechanical checks and technical inspections in industrial and civil environments.

Delivery scope:

1 x PCE-TC 30N thermal camera
1 x Micro USB cable
1 x USB power adapter
1 x Carrying bag
1 x User manual