NETD ≤40 mK (Thermal Sensitivity)

What it means: NETD (Noise Equivalent Temperature Difference) defines how small a temperature difference the thermal sensor can detect. A value of ≤40 mK means the camera can distinguish temperature differences as tiny as 0.04°C.

Why it matters: In fire‑risk environments, early warning depends on detecting very small temperature changes before they escalate.

Detailed example: A paper roll stack sits at 44.90°C. One roll begins internal smoldering and its surface rises to 44.94°C. This difference is only 0.04°C, invisible to the human eye — but the camera detects it and highlights the roll as a slightly brighter region. This early detection is what prevents fires.

Spectral Range 8–14 µm (Long‑Wave Infrared)

What it means: The camera operates in the LWIR band, where most objects naturally emit thermal radiation.

Why it matters: LWIR allows the camera to work in:

• Complete darkness
• Dusty environments
• Light smoke
• Fog or haze

Detailed example: A warehouse at night loses all lighting due to a power outage. The thermal camera still sees  object clearly because heat emission does not depend on visible light.

Resolution (640×512)

What it means: The number of thermal pixels in the sensor. Higher resolution = more detail = better detection accuracy.

Why it matters: More pixels on a target means:

• Better hotspot detection
• More accurate temperature measurement
• Longer detection range

Detailed example: A 0.3 m hotspot on a object covers multiple pixels (e.g., 3×3). This allows the camera to measure temperature reliably and trigger alarms early.

Pixel Pitch (12 µm)

What it means: The physical size of each pixel on the thermal sensor.

Why it matters: Smaller pixel pitch = finer detail = better image quality at long distances.

Detailed example: A 12 µm pixel pitch allows the camera to detect small hotspots even at the far end of an 80‑meter aisle.

Lens & HFOV (Horizontal Field of View)

What it means: Lens focal length determines how wide or narrow the camera can see.

• Short lens (e.g., 9 mm): Wide view, short range
• Long lens (e.g., 35 mm): Narrow view, long range

Why it matters: Choosing the right lens ensures proper coverage of aisles, rows, or open yards.

Detailed example: A 9 mm lens covers more wider area then 35mm. A 35 mm lens monitors longer and narrow area then 9mm .

IFOV (Instantaneous Field of View)

What it means: IFOV-is one of the most important parameters in thermal imaging. It tells you how much of the scene one pixel “sees.” .It tells  how many milliradians (mrad) or degrees each pixel covers.

Why it matters: IFOV determines how small a hotspot the camera can detect at a given distance.

IFOV (in radians)      =  Pixel Pitch/Lens Focal Length

Detailed example: With a 13 mm lens:

• IFOV ≈ 0.92 mrad
• At 80 m distance → one pixel ≈ 74 mm      (=80 x 0.92)=73.6 mm—-73.6/10=7.36 CM

This means the camera can detect a 7–10 cm hotspot at the far end of the aisle — enough to catch early smoldering.

Emissivity

What it means: Emissivity describes how well a surface emits thermal radiation (0–1 scale).

• Emissivity = 1.0 → perfect emitter (ideal blackbody)
• Emissivity ≈ 0.90–0.95 → very good emitter (like paper, matte paint, many non‑metallic surfaces)
• Emissivity ≈ 0.05–0.30 → poor emitter, often reflective (polished metals, shiny foil, stainless steel)

Why it matters: Correct emissivity ensures accurate temperature readings.

Detailed example: Paper emissivity ≈ 0.90–0.95 → excellent for thermal measurement. Shiny metal straps on rolls have low emissivity → appear colder than they really are. Cameras must be configured to ignore these reflective surfaces.

• Too low emissivity set for a high‑emissivity surface → camera underestimates temperature
• Too high emissivity set for a low‑emissivity surface → camera overestimates or misinterprets reflections as heat.

Measurement Modes (Spot, Line, Area)

Spot Measurement

Monitors temperature at a single point. Example: One critical point of an object suspected of internal heating.

Line Measurement

Monitors temperature along a straight line. Example: A conveyor belt or a long aisle of stacked rolls ot material.

Area Measurement

Monitors temperature across a region. Example: A full storage block or loading zone etc.

Over‑Temperature Alarm

What it means: The camera triggers an alarm when temperature exceeds a set threshold.

Why it matters: This is the primary early‑warning mechanism.

Detailed example: If the threshold is 60°C, and a object temprature  reaches 61°C, the camera:

• Sends alarm output
• Activates beacon/sounder
• Sends push notification
• Logs event in NVR/VMS

Differential Alarm (Rate‑of‑Rise)

What it means: Triggers when temperature rises too quickly, even if it hasn’t reached the absolute limit.

Why it matters: Many fires start with a rapid temperature spike.

Detailed example: the Object temperature jumps from 45°C to 55°C in 10 seconds. Even though 55°C is below the 60°C limit, the camera triggers a rapid‑rise alarm.

Accuracy ±2°C / ±2%

What it means: Temperature readings may vary slightly.

Why it matters: Thresholds must account for this tolerance.

Detailed example: Actual temperature = 60°C Camera may read between 58°C and 62°C. Set alarm thresholds with this margin in mind.

Bi‑Spectrum (Thermal + Visible)

What it means: Camera includes both thermal and visible sensors.

Why it matters: Thermal detects heat. Visible provides visual confirmation.

Detailed example: Thermal detects a hotspot. Visible shows a forklift parked too close to the roll — helping operators understand the cause.

Alarm I/O (Dry Contacts)

What it means: Physical relay outputs and inputs for integration.

Why it matters: Allows the camera to trigger external devices or receive signals.

Detailed example: Camera alarm output → Fire alarm panel input → Hall sounders activate. Fire panel output → Camera input → Camera starts recording automatically.

3. Cause & Effect – How Thermal Cameras Prevent Fires