TESTO 881 User manual

testo 881 · Thermal imager
Instruction manual

2

1 Contents
3
1 Contents
1Contents ...................................................................................................3
2Safety and the environment....................................................................4
2.1. About this document ........................................................................4
2.2. Ensure safety...................................................................................5
2.3. Protecting the environment..............................................................6
3Specifications ..........................................................................................7
3.1. Use ..................................................................................................7
3.2. Technical data .................................................................................9
4Product description...............................................................................14
4.1. Overview........................................................................................14
4.2. Basic properties.............................................................................15
5First steps ..............................................................................................17
5.1. Commissioning ..............................................................................17
5.2. Getting to know the product...........................................................19
6Using the product..................................................................................26
6.1. Menu functions ..............................................................................26
6.1.1. Measuring functions....................................................................................... 26
6.1.2. Image gallery .................................................................................................29
6.1.3. Scale..............................................................................................................30
6.1.4. Display...........................................................................................................31
6.1.5. Emissivity....................................................................................................... 31
6.1.6. Palette ...........................................................................................................34
6.1.7. Configuration .................................................................................................34
6.2. Measuring......................................................................................37
7Maintaining the product ........................................................................40
8Tips and assistance...............................................................................42
8.1. Questions and answers .................................................................42
8.2. Accessories and spare parts .........................................................43

2 Safety and the environment
4
2 Safety and the environment
2.1. About this document
Use
> Please read this documentation through carefully and
familiarize yourself with the product before putting it to use. Pay
particular attention to the safety instructions and warning advice
in order to prevent injuries and damage to the products.
> Keep this document to hand so that you can refer to it when
necessary.
> Hand this documentation on to any subsequent users of the
product.
Warnings
Always pay attention to information that is marked by the following
warnings with warning pictograms. Implement the specified
precautionary measures.
Representation Explanation
WARNING Indicates potential serious injuries
CAUTION indicates circumstances that may lead to
damage to the products
Symbols and writing standards
Represen-
tation
Explanation
Note: Basic or further information.
1. ...
2. ...
Action: more steps, the sequence must be followed.
> ... Action: a step or an optional step.
- ... Result of an action.
Menu Elements of the instrument, the instrument displays
or the program interface.

2 Safety and the environment
5
Represen-
tation
Explanation
[OK] Control keys of the instrument or buttons of the
program interface.
... | ... Functions/paths within a menu.
“...” Example entries
2.2. Ensure safety
> Only operate the product properly, for its intended purpose and
within the parameters specified in the technical data. Do not
use any force.
> Do not operate the instrument if there are signs of damage at
the housing, power supply or feed lines.
The thermal imager must not be directed at the sun or other
sources of intense radiation (e.g. objects with temperatures greater
than 500 °C, 800 °C while using the high-temperature filter) during
operation. This may lead to serious damage to the detector. The
manufacturer accepts no warranty for this type of damage to the
microbolometer detector.
> The objects to be measured or the measurement environment
may also pose risks: Note the safety regulations valid in your
area when performing the measurements.
> Do not store the product together with solvents. Do not use any
desiccants.
> Carry out only the maintenance and repair work on this
instrument that is described in the documentation. Follow the
prescribed steps exactly. Use only original spare parts from
Testo.
> Improper use of rechargeable batteries can lead to destruction
or injuries by means of current surges, fire or escaping
chemicals. The following instructions must be observed to avoid
such hazards:
• Only use in accordance with the directions in the instruction
manual.
• Do not short, take apart or modify.
• Do not expose to heavy impacts, water, fire or temperatures
above 60 °C.
• Do not store in the proximity of metal objects.

2 Safety and the environment
6
• Do not use leaky or damaged rechargeable batteries. In the
event of contact with battery acid: Thoroughly wash affected
area with water and consult a doctor, if necessary.
• Only charge in the instrument or the recommended charging
station.
• Immediately stop the charging process if this is not
completed in the given time.
• In the event of improper function or signs of overheating,
immediately remove the rechargeable battery from the
measuring instrument/charging station. Caution:
Rechargeable battery may be hot!
2.3. Protecting the environment
> Dispose of faulty rechargeable batteries/spent batteries in
accordance with the valid legal specifications.
> At the end of its useful life, send the product to the separate
collection for electric and electronic devices (observe local
regulations) or return the product to Testo for disposal.

3 Specifications
7
3 Specifications
3.1. Use
The testo 881 is a handy and robust thermal imager. It opens the
door to contactless determination and illustration of the temperature
distribution on surfaces for you.
Typical areas of application are:
• Building inspection (heating, ventilation and air conditioning
trade, company technicians, engineering offices, experts):
Energy evaluation of buildings
• Preventative maintenance (servicing): Mechanical and electrical
inspection of systems and machines
• Production monitoring (quality assurance): Monitoring
production processes
The testo 881 is available in several versions, which are tailored to
various usage requirements:
• testo 881-1: High-quality wide-angle lens 32° x 23, detector
160 x 120, NETD < 50 mK, manual focus, 2 GB SD card for
approx. 1000 images, minimum focus distance 10 cm,
integrated digital camera
• testo 881-2: High-quality wide-angle lens 32° x 23°, detector
160 x 120, NETD < 50 mK, manual focus, 2 GB SD card for
approx. 1000 images, minimum focus distance 10 cm,
exchangeable lens, isotherm, min./max. on area, audio
comments, display of surface moisture distribution, lens
protection glass included in the delivery
• testo 881-3: High-quality wide-angle lens 32° x 23°, detector
160 x 120, NETD < 50 mK, 2 GB SD card for approx. 1000
images, minimum focus distance 10 cm, integrated digital
camera with power LEDs for illumination, dynamic motorfocus,
isotherm, min./max. on area, audio comments, display of
surface moisture distribution, high-temperature filter (optional)

3 Specifications
8
Export control
Thermal imagers may be subject to the export restrictions of the
European Union.
The testo 881 with 33 Hz in particular can only be exported to
countries outside of the European Union with an export permit from
the authorities.
Please observe the national regulations for export control when
exporting.

3 Specifications
9
3.2. Technical data
Infrared image output
Characteristic Values
Field of vision/min.
focusing distance
Standard lens: 32° x 23°/0.1 m (0.33 ft)
Telephoto lens (testo 881-2/-3 only,
optional):
9° x 7° / 0.5 m (1.64 ft)
Thermal sensitivity
(NETD)
<50 mK at 30 °C (86 °F)
Geometric resolution Standard lens: 3.3 mrad
Telephoto lens: 1 mrad
Refresh rate 33 Hz within EU, Switzerland, USA,
New Zealand, Japan
9 Hz other countries
Focus Manual
testo 881-3: manual + motorized
Detector type FPA 160 x 120 pixels, a.Si
Spectral range 8 - 14 μm
Visual image output (testo 881-1/-3 only)
Characteristic Values
Field of vision/min.
focusing distance
33° x 25°/0.4 m (1.31 ft)
Image size 640 x 480 pixels
Refresh rate 8 to 15 Hz
Image presentation
Characteristic Values
Image display 3.5" LCD with 320 x 240 pixels
Display options testo 881-2: Infrared image
testo 881-1/3: Infrared image/real
image/infrared and real image
Video stream 25 Hz

3 Specifications
10
Characteristic Values
Colour palettes 9 options
Measuring
Characteristic Values
Temperature range
(can be changed)
Measuring range 1:
-20 - 100 °C (-4 - 212 °F)
Measuring range 2:
0 - 350 °C (32 - 662 °F)
Measuring range 3 (testo 880-3 only):
350 - 550 °C (662 - 1022 °F)
Accuracy With measuring range 1 activated, for
readings within the range of -20 - 100 °C
(-4 - 212 °F):
±2 °C (±3.6 °F) or ±2 % of reading
(whichever is the greater)
With measuring range 2 activated, for
readings within the range of 0 - 350 °C
(32 - 662 °F):
±2 °C (±3.6 °F) or ±2 % of reading
(whichever is the greater)
With measuring range 3 activated (testo
880-3 only), for readings within the range of
350 - 550 °C (662 - 1022 °F):
±3 % of reading
Reproducibility ±1 °C (±1.8 °F) or ±1 % (whichever is the
greater)
Measuring point
minimum diameter
Standard lens: 10 mm at 1 m
Telephoto lens: 3 mm at 1 m
On-time (time to
image)
30 s
Measuring functions Standard measurement (1-point), 2-point
measurement (testo 881-2/-3 only), Cold-
/Hotspot
Also with testo 881-2/-3: isotherm,
min./max. on area, display of surface
moisture distribution via manual input of the
dewpoint temperature

3 Specifications
11
Characteristic Values
Compensation for
reflected temperature
manual
Setting emissivity 0.01…1.00
Image storage
Characteristic Values
File format .bmt
Export options in .bmp, .jpg, .csv
Removable memory SD card
Memory capacity Scope of delivery: 2 GB (approx. 1000
images)
Lens
Characteristic Values
Standard lens 32° x 23°
Telephoto lens (testo
881-2/-3, optional):
9° x 7°
Aperture 0.84
w
Audio functions (testo 881-2/-3 only)
Characteristic Values
Sound
recording/playback
via headset (included in delivery)
Recording period max. 30 s per image
Power supply
Characteristic Values
Battery type Fast-charging, Li-ion battery can be
changed on-site
Operating time approx. 4 h at 20 - 30 °C (68 - 86 °F)
Charging option In instrument/in charging station (optional)
Power supply
operation
Yes, with power supply 0554 8808

3 Specifications
12
Characteristic Values
Power supply output
voltage
5 V/4 A
Ambient conditions
Characteristic Values
Operating
temperature
-15 - 40 °C (5 - 113 °F)
Storage
temperature
-30 - 60 °C (-22 - 140 °F)
Air humidity 20 - 80 %RH, not condensing
Enclosure rating of
the housing
IP54 (Interface terminals closed, battery
connected, lens mounted)
Physical features
Characteristic Values
Weight 900 g (including battery)
Dimensions 152 x 108 x 262 mm (5.98 x 4.17 x 10.31")
Tripod mounting Yes, with adapter (included in delivery)
Housing ABS
Protection class IP 54
Vibration max. 2 G
PC software
Characteristic Values
System
requirements
Operating system Windows XP Service
Pack 2 or Windows Vista
USB 2.0 interface

3 Specifications
13
Standards, tests, warranty
Characteristic Values
EU Directive 2004/108/EC
Vibration IEC 60068-2-6
Warranty 2 years, warranty conditions: see website
www.testo.com/warranty

4 Product description
14
4 Product description
4.1. Overview
Product components
1 Display.
2 Control keys:
Key Functions
[ ] Switch the imager on/off.
[OK] and Joystick • Press [OK]:
Open menu, confirm selection/setting.
• Move [OK] up/down/right/left = Joystick
function:
Select functions, navigate
[Esc] Cancel action.
Left/right ["xy"]
quick select button
Call up a function. The function assigned to
the quick select button at any one time is
shown in the display.

4 Product description
15
3 Instrument rechargeable battery lock release button.
4 Metric thread: For fastening the included tripod adapter.
Do not use desktop tripods, danger of tilting!
5 Right interface terminal: Not assigned.
6 [Motor focus switch]: To switch the motor focus on/off
(testo 881-3 only).
7 2 LEDs: For illumination for the visual image (testo 881-3 only).
8 Digital camera lens: For recording visual images (testo 881-1/-3
only)
9 Aperture: Not assigned.
10 Infrared camera lens: For recording thermography images.
Exchangeable lens (testo 881-2/-3 only).
11 Rotating ring Manual focusing: For manual focusing.
testo 881-3: Only use rotating ring with motor focus switched off
to prevent damage to the auto mechanism.
12 Lens lock ring
13 [Motor focus control]: For motorized focusing (testo 881-3
only)
14 [Trigger]: For recording (freezing/saving) images.
15 Left interface terminal: Memory card slot. Headset slot. USB
interface. Power supply socket, for connecting the included
power supply. Backup battery slot.
16 Status LED: off (no power supply connected), flashes (power
supply connected and rechargeable battery charging), lights up
(poweer supply connected and battery charging process
completed).
4.2. Basic properties
Power supply
The power is supplied to the instrument via an exchangeable
rechargeable battery or via the included power supply.
With the power supply connected, the power is supplied
automatically and the instrument's rechargeable battery is charged
(only at ambient temperatures from 0 to 45 °C).
Charging the battery is also possible using a desktop charging
station (accessory).

4 Product description
16
The instrument is equipped with a backup battery (type CR 1632)
to maintain the system data during an interruption in the power
supply (e.g. when the battery is changed).
File formats and file names
The images are saved according to the following pattern:
XX_YYYYY.ZZZ
XX: IR for infrared image and surface moisture image without
attached real image, IV for infrared image and surface moisture
image with attached real image, VI for real image.
YYYYY: 5-digit consecutive number
ZZZ (file extension): BMT for infrared image and surface moisture
image without/with attached real image, BMP for real image.

5 First steps
17
5 First steps
5.1. Commissioning
Connect rechargeable battery
The thermal imager is delivered with a rechargeable battery that is
inserted in the rechargeable battery slot but not connected.
> Push the battery all the way into the rechargeable battery slot
until this is flush with the bottom of the handle.
- The thermal imager starts automatically.
Perform basic settings
> Remove the protective film from the display.
- The start screen appears on the display.
- The Landeseinstellungen (Country settings) dialogue is
opened.
Instrument language (Language) and temperature unit (Unit) can
be set.
1. Move Joystick up/down to select the desired option.
- The selected option has an orange border.
2. Confirm the selection with [OK].
- The selected setting is highlighted orange ( ). The arrows ( )
show that the setting can be changed.
3. Move Joystick up/down to change the setting.
4. Confirm the entry with [OK].
5. Confirm the settings with Übernehmen (Apply).
6. Press [] to switch off the thermal imager.

5 First steps
18
Initial charging of rechargeable battery
The thermal imager is delivered with a partially charged battery.
Completely charge the battery before use.
> Connect the country-specific adapter required for the existing
mains to the power supply.
1. Open the cover on the left side of the thermal imager (1).
2. Connect the power supply cord to the camera ( ) (2).
3. Connect the power supply unit to a wall outlet.
- The thermal imager starts automatically.
For battery charging, the imager can remain switched
on or be switched off. This has no influence on the
duration of charging.
- The charging of the rechargeable battery begins.
- The charging status is displayed by the status LED:
• LED flashing: Charging
• LED on: Battery charged, charging finished
4. Charge the battery fully, then disconnect the instrument from
the power supply.
- After the initial charging of the battery, the thermal imager is
ready for operation.
Charging the battery is also possible using a desktop charging
station (accessory).

5 First steps
19
5.2. Getting to know the product
Insert the memory card
1. Open the cover on the left side of the thermal imager.
2. Insert memory card (SD card) into the card slot (SD) (1).
> To remove the memory card: Press on the memory card to
release the lock.
Attaching headset (testo 881-2/-3 only)
1. Open the cover on the left side of the thermal imager.
2. Insert stereo jack of the headset into the headset slot (1).
Mount/remove infrared protection glass
Installation:
1. Attach the protection glass (with black fitting) fastened to the
red mounting ring to the lens and turn the mounting ring
clockwise to the stop.
2. Remove the red mounting ring from the protection glass.

5 First steps
20
Removal:
1. Attach the red mounting ring to the protection glass.
2. Turn the mounting ring anticlockwise and remove the protection
glass.
After mounting/removing the protection glass, activate or deactivate
the Protection glass option, see Optics... page 35. If this option is
set incorrectly, the specified measuring accuracy is not ensured.
Mounting/removing high-temperature filter (testo 881/-3 only)
Installation:
1. Attach the high-temperature filter (with red fitting) fastened to
the red mounting ring to the lens and turn the mounting ring
clockwise to the stop.
2. Remove the red mounting ring from the high-temperature filter.
Removal:
1. Attach the red mounting ring to the high-temperature filter.
2. Turn the mounting ring anticlockwise and remove the high-
temperature filter.
Activate/deactivate the high-temperature measuring range (350.0 -
550.0 °C or 662.0 - 1022 °F), Measuring range page 28, after
mounting or removing the high-temperature filter, otherwise the
specified measuring accuracy is not ensured
Mount tripod adapter
Using the included tripod adapter, the imager can be fastened to
the testo tripod (accessory) or to a commercially available standard
tripod. With the tripod adapter mounted, the battery cannot be
changed!
1. Place the tripod adapter on the lower end of the handle and
screw on using the included Allen key (ISO 2936, size 4).
2. Slide thermal imager into the fastening plate of the testo tripod
and lock or fasten it to the commercially available standard
tripod (screw-type fastening).