PCE Instruments PCE-TC 31 User manual

PCE Americas Inc.
711 Commerce Way
Suite 8
Jupiter
FL-33458
USA
From outside US: +1
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[email protected]
PCE Instruments UK Ltd.
Units 12/13
Southpoint Business Park
Ensign way
Hampshire / Southampton
United Kingdom, SO31 4RF
From outside UK: +44
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
[e-mail]
www.pce-instruments.com/english
www.pce-instruments.com
Manual
Thermal Imager PCE -TC 31
Version 2.0
Date of creation: 10.06.2015
Date of last change: 11.04.2016

Manual
2
Contents
1Introduction .............................................................................................................3
2Safety notes.............................................................................................................4
3Specifications..........................................................................................................5
4System description.................................................................................................6
4.1 Function keys ............................................................................................................................. 6
4.2 Interface...................................................................................................................................... 7
5Getting started.........................................................................................................8
5.1 Inserting battery.......................................................................................................................... 8
5.2 Notes on safety use battery........................................................................................................ 8
5.3 Quick access .............................................................................................................................. 9
5.3.1 Acquire an image........................................................................................................................... 9
5.3.2 Temperature measurement ........................................................................................................... 9
5.3.3 Save image.................................................................................................................................. 10
5.3.4 Image replay ................................................................................................................................ 10
5.3.5 Export saved images.................................................................................................................... 10
6Operation guide.....................................................................................................11
6.1 Graphic interface description.................................................................................................... 11
6.1.1 Screen graphic interface while camera is working....................................................................... 11
6.1.2 Main menu ................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1.3 Dialog box .................................................................................................................................... 12
6.1.4 Prompt box interface.................................................................................................................... 12
6.2 Measurement............................................................................................................................ 13
6.3 Level/Span................................................................................................................................ 13
6.4 Setup menu .............................................................................................................................. 13
6.4.1 MeasureSet.................................................................................................................................. 14
6.4.2 MeasureCorr ................................................................................................................................ 14
6.4.3 Analysis........................................................................................................................................ 15
6.4.4 Date/Time..................................................................................................................................... 15
6.4.5 SystemInfo ................................................................................................................................... 16
6.4.6 FactDefault................................................................................................................................... 16
6.5 File............................................................................................................................................ 17
6.5.1 Open ............................................................................................................................................ 17
6.5.2 Delete........................................................................................................................................... 17
6.5.3 Format.......................................................................................................................................... 18
7Troubleshooting....................................................................................................18
8Appendix................................................................................................................19
8.1 Common material emissivity..................................................................................................... 19
8.2 Factory default parameter setting table.................................................................................... 20
9Contact...................................................................................................................21
9.1 PCE Instruments UK ................................................................................................................ 21
9.2 PCE Americas .......................................................................................................................... 21

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1 Introduction
Thank you for purchasing the PCE-TC 31 hand-held infrared thermal image camera.
The PCE-TC 31 adopts an un-cooled focal plane infrared detector, and displays the thermal image as a
pseudo colour one with high definition and sensitivity. The image could be stored in the internal FLASH
for computer analysis, which matches the requirements of analyzing the surface temperature and non-
contacted measurement in different sectors.
Main applications:
Preventive maintenance
Power industry: Power line and power facility thermal state checking; problem and defect
diagnosis.
Electric system: Identify the circuit overload in advanced.
Mechanical system: Reduce the stop time and avoid problems.
Construction science
Roof: Fast detect and find out water penetration problem;
Structure: Estimate and investigate the infrared energy for business and living buildings.
Damp detecting: Find out the root cause of damping and mildewing.
Revise: Evaluate the compensation methods and make sure the area is completely dry.
Others:
Iron and steel industry: Inspect the process of steel refining and rolling; diagnose the broken part
of the hot-blast stove; detect the embryo temperature of the armor plate, etc.
Fire fighting: Forrest fire prevention and search the latent ignition source, preventive detection on
specific material auto-ignition.and safety detection on electrical gas for fire prevention.
Medical: Human body surface temperature detecting and temperature field analysis.
Petrol-chemistry: Oil pipeline status inspecting; material surface detecting; heat leak inspecting as
well as heat preservation structure, power equipment status, etc.
Delivery content:
1 x thermal image camera PCE-TC 31
1 x USB cable
1 x carrying case
1 x lithium batteries
1 x battery charger
1 x lens cap
1 x adumbral cover
1 x manual PCE-TC
1 x manual PCE-TC 31
1 x manual reporter software
The reporter software can be downloaded on our website.

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2 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. There is no
warranty of damage or injuries caused by non-observance of the manual.
- The device may only be used in the approved temperature range.
- The case should only be opened by qualified personnel of PCE Instruments.
- The instrument should never be placed with the user interface facing an object (e.g. keyboard side on a
table).
- You should not make any technical changes to the device.
- The appliance should only be cleaned with a damp cloth / use only pH-neutral cleaner.
- Never put the lens directly towards to the strong radiation source (the sun, direct or reflection laser
beam, etc ) in any situation (power on or power off) since thermal inductor used in infrared thermal
image camera is very sensitive. Otherwise, the camera will be damaged permanently.
- The original package box must be used in the transportation. Do not shake or hit the apparatus strongly
in use and transportation.
- Please use the original package box to store the apparatus. The environment should be cool, dry,
ventilated and no strong electromagnetic field.
- Protect the surface of the lens from being stained or damaged by oil sludge and any chemical matters.
Please put on the lens cap after using.
- Please remember to backup the data into PC instantly in order to avoid losing the important data.
- Before the camera reads accurately, it needs 3 to 5 minutes to preheat.
- Each camera will be done temperature calibration in factory. It is recommended temperature calibration
should be done once every year.
- Never open the case or refit the apparatus. Only authorized people from our company are allowed to do
maintenance.
This manual is published from PCE Instruments without any guarantee.
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.

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3 Specifications
Item
Technical parameter
TE
Detector
performance
Type
Un-cooled focal plane
Resolution
160×120
Range of λ
8～14μm
Thermal sensitivity
≤0.1℃@30℃
Image
performance
Frame frequency
60Hz
LCD
High resolution 2.5” color LCD 320 x 240 Pixel
Lens
parameter
Field of view
18°×13°
Range of focus
0.3m～∞
Focus type
Manual
Spatial resolution
1.9 mrad
Measurement
analysis
Measurement range
-20℃～350℃
Measurement accuracy
±2 K or ±2％of reading. Whichever is greater
Image
control
Palette
3
Image
adjustment
Auto/Manual Gain/Brightness
Measurement calibration
Auto/Manual
Measurement mode
Spot temperature measurement and area temperature measurement
(Maximum, minimum and mean value)
Number of
measurement spot
1
Number of measurement
area
1
Measurement analysis
mode
Isothermal temperature, Temperature difference, Temperature alarm
(voice, color)
Setting function
Date/Time, Temperature unit ℃/℉/K, Language
Emissivity revise
Range: 0.01-1.0 or revise according the pre-defined emissivity table.
Background temperature
revise
Auto, based on the background temperature
Atmospheric
transmittance revise
No
Image
storage
Medium type
Internal Flash
Capacity
64M / 1000 images
Store Type
Manual single frame image save
File format
JPEG, 14 bits data
File size
60K（typical value）
Laser
indicator
Laser indicator
Second class，1mW/635nm Red
Power
system
Battery type
Rechargeable lithium battery
Battery working time
≥3h
Power save mode
Yes
External power supply
No
Environment
parameter
Ambient temperature
﹣15℃～+50℃
Humidity
≤90% (Non-condensable)
Preventive class
IP54
Appearance
Size
250mm x 100mm x72mm
Weight (exclude battery)
0.6Kg
Interface
USB
Standard Mini USB interface

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4 System description
4.1 Function keys
[1] Shortcut key
User can define the operation function. The default is laser locator switch.
[2] Freeze/Save key (Mark S)
Used for freezing or saving thermal image. Press the key once to freeze the image; Press again to
save the image and pop up Voice comment dialog box. In addition, long press key S (≥3s) can save the
image into FLASH as well.
[3] Indicator
Power indicator. Once camera is powered on, the indicator will turn on.
[4] Power key
Power on/off the camera. Long press the key over 3 seconds to power on/off the camera.
Note: after power off, please wait for ten seconds to reboot the camera in order to keep it safe.
[5] Operation keys
It includes Up, Down, Left, Right and Confirm (central) keys. They have various functions in
different modes.
In Menu mode, it is used for menu selection. Up and Down keys are for same level menu operation.
Left and Right keys are for different levels menu operation. Confirm key (Central) is to activate the menu
and confirm the choice.
In Image mode, press Up key to zoom in 2x and the screen will prompt “2x”. Press Down key to
return the original image.
When doing spot temperature measurement, press the Confirm key to pop up the attribute box.
Press four navigation keys to move the spot location.
When doing line temperature measurement, press the Confirm key to pop up the attribute box. If
measurement line is horizontal, press Up and Down keys to move the line location; press Left and Right

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keys to move the reference line. If measurement line is vertical, press Left and Right keys to move the
line; press Up and Down keys to move the reference line.
If doing area temperature measurement, press the Confirm key to pop up the attribute box. Press
the four navigation keys to move the area location or change the size of the area, which depends on
attribute setting.
[6] Cancel key (Mark C)
Used for canceling the present operation. When image is frozen or being replayed, press the C key
to return to real-time measurement status.
Note: Press the Ckey will delete the measurement object when doing the object measurement.
[7] Select/Auto key (Mark A)
Used for acquiring the best image automatically, and seriatim select the spot temperature
measurement / line temperature measurement/ area temperature measurement / palette. The
chosen item will show in yellow, the number will change to ‘＊’mark, and the temperature result
shows in the top Right corner will be highlighted in yellow.
When selecting the object, press the Confirm key to pop up the attribute box. Press Ckey to delete
current object.
When selecting the palette, use Left/Right keys to change the palette. System will automatically
store the current palette and automatically switch to this palette when the camera is powered on next
time.
When selecting the maximum and minimum limits of the palette, adjust images by adjusting limits
values manually.
Long press A key for more than 3 seconds, camera will make automatic correction to get the best
thermal image.
[8] Laser indicator
Used for indicating the measurement object.
4.2 Interface
[4] USB output interface
Support transferring data to PC. Support USB2.0.

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5 Getting started
5.1 Inserting battery
Remove the lid of battery compartment. Insert the battery. Make sure both bottoms of the battery
and battery compartment are parallel.
Press and push the battery lightly forwards until the battery is locked firmly. Insert the Left part of
lid to the battery compartment and then press the lid until the lid locked.
Note: only standard battery can be used, or battery may be stuck, and apparatus may be
damaged by incorrect voltage and so on.
5.2 Notes on safety use battery
Battery should be stored among the environment temperature -20℃∽20℃. Since the battery will
self-discharge during storage, the battery should be charged fully before storing in order to avoid
over discharge, which will impact the battery capacity. Furthermore, it is recommended that the
battery should be charged in a set time, as below;
oEnvironment temperature is -20℃∽20℃, once every 6 months;
oEnvironment temperature is 20℃∽45℃, once every 3 months;
oEnvironment temperature is 45℃∽60℃, once every month;
Each time charging, the electricity should be more than 50% of battery capacity.
The environment should be 0℃∽40℃. If under 0℃, the battery capacity will get loss; if over
40℃, the battery temperature may get too high.
Some important notes:
oNever disassemble, extrudate, and stab battery;
oNever short connect the battery
oNever put the battery into fire or water;
oPut it in the place where children cannot touch.

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5.3 Quick access
5.3.1 Acquire an image
After the battery installed, long press the power key (≥3 seconds) until the power indicator turns
on. After start-up finished, the camera will start working.
Open the lens cap and aim at the target. Adjust the focus to get the clear target thermal image.
Press A key to get the best image by automatic revise.
5.3.2 Temperature measurement
Aim the target object on the cross spot in the screen. The digits “XX” on the top Right corner is
the temperature of the target object. If you want to measure more accurately, just long press A
key for 3 seconds and then measure.
If you want to measure the current thermal image in detail, press S key to freeze the image and
then analyze. Or you could long press S key for 3 seconds to save the image and then analyze.
For details, please see the 4 Operation guide.
If the target object’s temperature is higher or lower than the limits of the camera, it will display
＞XXX℃or ＜XXX℃.
If you want to modify the measured object’s attribute, firstly select the object, and then press the
Confirm key. The screen will pop up an attribute dialogue box. The below
Attribute of spot can revise emissivity. When “Set Ref” is set as Yes, the displayed values of the
temperature of other objects will be the difference value against the selected spot.
It can only modify the emissivity.
It can modify the emissivity, area type and area move, which can move the area and change the
area size. When “Set Ref” is set as Yes, the displayed values of the temperature of other objects
will be the difference value against the selected area.
Note: only one reference target can be set.

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5.3.3 Save image
To save the image, there are three ways:
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Choose File->Save and the system will save the
image automatically.
Press S key to freeze the image and then press again to save the image.
Long press S key for 3 seconds to save the image automatically.
5.3.4 Image replay
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Choose File->Open to open the image.
When image is opened, choose Left and Right keys to select the previous and next images
respectively.
Press C key to exit the replay status and return to the real-time measurement status.
5.3.5 Export saved images
Connect the camera with PC using the USB cable and images saved in internal FLASH can be exported,
deleted, formatted and so on.
Note: It is recommended that format function should be used. Please format the internal FLASH
regularly.

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6 Operation guide
6.1 Graphic interface description
6.1.1 Screen graphic interface while camera is working
[1] Working status: display the current working status
[2] Spot temperature measurement: spot temperature measurement crosshair.
[3] Selected spot temperature: selected spot temperature measurement crosshair (Yellow).
[4] Emissivity: set target object’s emissivity.
[5] Minimum temperature: Indicate minimum value of the palette.
[6] Palette: Palette bar. User can choose white-black or colorful palette.
[7] Maximum temperature: Indicate maximum value of the palette.
[8] Battery status: Indicate the current battery status.
[9] [10] Result: Indicate the value of the temperature of the target object. Yellow denotes the value
of the temperature of the selected object.
[11] Temperature unit: Three options: ℃、℉or K.
Note: since all cameras have different functions, the working status screen may be different
4
5
6
8
1
7
2
10
3
9
11

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6.1.2 Main menu
[1] Main menu：Include four options: Measurement, Level/Span, Setup, and File.
[2] Low-level menu prompt: Indicate this menu has low-level menu. If select this menu, the low-level
menu will pop out
6.1.3 Dialog box
[1] Dialog box name: Display the dialog box name, e.g. Measuring Setup.
[2] Item title: A dialog box may contain several items, such as Temp Range.
[3] Item content: Every item has the specified content. Black means valid or changeable and white
means invalid.
[4] Unit: Indicate the current used temperature unit
6.1.4 Prompt box interface
[1] Prompt box name: Display the prompt box name.
[2] Content: Display the content in the prompt box, e.g. Del Image File?
1
2
1
2
3
4
1
2

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6.2 Measurement
Used for adding or deleting the measurement object. Press Confirm key to activate the main menu.
Select the Measurement and press Confirm key. It will pop up the below dialog box:
If select None，all objects will be deleted.
Note: when deleting a single object, press A key to select the object and then press C key to
delete.
6.3 Level/Span
User can observe the more colorful and better quality image via adjusting the relationship of temperature
and color.
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu and select Level/Span. It can switch auto mode and
manual mode. Press A key to select palette and adjust the image manually.
If Level selected, camera will adjust image layout automatically.
If Span selected, user can adjust image layout by changing the palette max and min values. Press
Up key to increase the max and min values of palette; press Down key to decrease the max and min
values of palette; press Left key to decrease the max value but increase the min value; press Right key
to increase the max value but decrease the min value.
In Span mode (Manual), press Ckey to exit the Span mode and enter into Level mode (Auto).
6.4 Setup menu

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6.4.1 MeasureSet
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->MeasureSet and press Confirm key to pop
up the Measuring Setup dialog box. User can set temperature range, lens type, temperature unit, ambient
temperature, reference type and reference temperature. Press Up and Down keys to choose different
items, Left and Right keys to modify the item contents.
Temp Range: Set measurement temperature range.
Lens: Set different lens and corresponding temperature range.
Temperature unit: Three options: ℃, F and K.
Ambient temperature: When start-up, camera will detect ambient temperature automatically.
6.4.2 MeasureCorr
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->MeasureCorr and press Confirm key to
pop up the Measure Correct dialog box. User can set emissivity, temperature correct, distance, humidity
and temperature reflect. Press Up and Down keys to choose different items, Left and Right keys to
modify the item contents.
Emissivity Since different objects have different emissivities, it can set different emissivities for
different spots. If not set manually, system will use the default one. Appendix A provides
emissivities of common materials.

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6.4.3 Analysis
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->Analysis and press Confirm key to pop up
the Analysis dialog box. User can set temperature alarm, alarming temperature, alarming color, isotherm
color, isotherm temperature and isotherm width. Press Up and Down keys to choose different items, Left
and Right keys to modify the item contents.
Temp Alarm: Only valid in area measurement. When set as Open, if the target temperature is
higher and lower than the alarming temperature, the camera will alarm automatically by voice and
color. Alarm color is set by item Alarm Color.
Alarming Temp: Set alarm temperature. Only valid when Temp Alarm is set to Open.
Alarming Color: When target temperature is higher than the alarming temperature, the alarming
area will display the alarming color. There are 9 colors. If set to Auto, it indicates it will not change
the screen’s color.
Isotherm Color: Display the image in the set temperature range by isotherm color. There are 9
colors. If set to Auto, it indicates it will not change the screen’s color.
Isotherm Temp: Indicate the temperature of the isothermal central point.
Isotherm width: Used for setting range of isothermal area. For example, if isotherm temperature is
set to 50℃and isotherm width is 1℃, the isotherm range is 49.5℃~ 51.5℃.
6.4.4 Date/Time
User can set the system date and time. After setting, the camera will save the current setting.
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->Date/Time and press Confirm key to pop up
the Date/Time dialog box. User can set Year, Month, Day, Hour, Minute and Second. Press Up and Down
keys to choose different items, Left and Right keys to modify the item contents.
Note: without using for a long time, it needs to reset the system time since the internal battery will
not have enough electricity.

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4.4.5 LocalAdapt
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->LocalAdapt and press Confirm key
to pop up the Local Adapt Setup dialog box. User can set language, Auto calibration interval,
video mode, quick access, standby time and auto off time. Press Up and Down keys to choose
different items, Left and Right keys to modify the item contents.
Language: Select system language. Two options: Chinese and English.
QuickAccess: User can self-define the key functions: laser, SpotTemp, Area Temp and Save key.
oLaser: turn on or turn off the laser indicator;
oSpot temperature measurement: increase or delete spot;
oArea temperature measurement: increase or delete area;
oSave key: save the current image.
StandbyTime: If no any action during the set time, the camera will turn off the screen
automatically to save the battery. Press any key except power key to reactivate the screen. If set
to None, the function is disabled.
AutoOffTime: If no any action during the set time, the camera will turn off the main power
automatically to save the battery. If set to None, the function is disabled.
6.4.5 SystemInfo
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->SystemInfo and press Confirm key to pop
up the System Information dialog box. It displays the device ID, Version number and release date (create
time).
6.4.6 FactDefault
It is used to reset factory default. Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select Setup->
FactDefault and press Confirm key to pop op the Factory default dialog box. Press Confirm key to reset
the factory default. Press C key to cancel the reset operation. Appendix B indicates the detailed factory
default parameter table.
Note: Reset function will delete all parameters defined by user.

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6.5 File
6.5.1 Open
Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select File->Open, press Confirm key to open the saved
images. Press Left and Right keys to change the images. Press C key to exit the opened image and
return to measurement status. System automatically records the part number of the opened image last
time. It will display this image directly next time.
[1] Current file name.
[2] Current file number
[3] Total number of images stored
6.5.2 Delete
Used for deleting the image. When camera is on image replay status, press Confirm key to activate the
main menu, select File->Delete, press Confirm key to pop out the below prompt box. Press Confirm key
to delete the current opened image. If it has voice comment, it will be deleted together. Press C key to
cancel the deletion.
Note: before deleting, make sure the file is not needed any more or already backup. It cannot
recover after deletion.
1
2
3

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6.5.3 Format
Used for formatting the internal FLASH. Press Confirm key to activate the main menu. Select File-
>Format and press Confirm key to pop up the below dialog box. Press Confirm key to do format; press C
key to cancel the format.
Note: Be careful to use this function. Make sure the file is not needed any more or already backup
before format. After format, all the images in the FLASH will be deleted and cannot be covered.
7 Troubleshooting
Please follow the below table to diagnose and solve the problem. If problem is still existed, please contact
our service department.
Problem
Cause & Solution
The camera does not power on.
Battery not installed or installed incorrectly
→Install battery or re-install battery
Battery is out of power.
→Change battery.
“Power off” protection is enabled
→Wait for 5 seconds and reboot.
The camera power off
automatically.
Battery is out of power.
→Change battery
AutoOffTime option is enabled
→Set as None.
Battery depletion is too fast
Environment temperature is too low
Rechargeable battery is not charged completely.
→Recharge the battery.
Rechargeable battery is out of power completely
and can not be recharged.
→Change new battery.
No thermal image
Lens cover is not removed.
→Remove lens cover.
In image frozen status
→Press C key to exit.
Thermal image is white-black.
White-black palette is selected
→Select normal palette.

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8 Appendix
8.1 Common material emissivity
Material
Surface
Temperature（℃
）
Emissivity（ε）
Aluminum
Non-oxidation
100
0.20
Oxygenated
100
0.55
Brass
Brown after grinding
20
0.40
Dull luster
38
0.22
Oxygenated
100
0.61
Copper
Seriously oxygenated
20
0.78
Iron
Oxygenated
100
0.74
Rusty
25
0.65
Cast iron
Oxygenated
200
0.64
Non-oxygenated
100
0.21
Wrought iron
Quarry-faced
25
0.94
Polished
38
0.28
Nickel
Oxygenated
200
0.37
Stainless steel
Oxygenation
60
0.85
Steel
800℃oxygenation
200
0.79
Common brick
Surface
20
0.93
Concrete
Surface
20
0.92
Glass
Polished plate
20
0.94
Lacquer
White
100
0.92
Black
100
0.97
Carbon
Smoke black
25
0.95
Candle soot
20
0.95
Rough lead surface
20
0.98
Oil paint
Mean value of 16 colors
100
0.94
Paper
White
20
0.93
Sand soil
Surface
20
0.90
Timber
Dressed
20
0.90
Water
Distilled water
20
0.96
Skin
Human
32
0.98
Ceramic
Thin
21
0.90
Thick
21
0.93

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8.2 Factory default parameter setting table
Table.1 Measurement temperature setting table
Parameter
Value
Temperature Range
-20/250℃
Lens
Standard
Temperature Unit
℃
Reference Type
Off
Reference Temperature
30℃
Table.2 Measurement temperature correction table
Parameter
Value
Emissivity
0.96
Temperature Correction
0℃
Distance
2m（Note: Not support in TE）
Humidity
60（Note: Not support in TE）
Table.3 Analysis setting table
Parameter
Value
Temperature Alarm
Close
Alarming Temperature
50.0℃(Grey)
Alarming Color
Auto (Grey)
Isotherm Color
Auto
Isotherm Temperature
50.0℃
Isotherm Width
1.0℃
Table.4 System setting table
Parameter
Value
Language
Chinese
Auto Calibration
60S（Note: Not support in TE）
Video Mode
NTSC（Note: Not support in TE）
Quick Access
Laser
Standby Time
None
AutoOffTime
None