BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera in the hand during thermography of a generator

BENNING TC 30 – The pocket-sized thermal imaging camera

Create precise thermal images or videos and immediately analyse them professionally - effortlessly and intuitively

BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera and carrying case

Thermal imaging, also known as thermography, has become established as a powerful tool for analysis and documentation in many industries. Since April 2024, the BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera has complemented the product portfolio of BENNING testing and measuring devices.
The compact camera meets the highest practical requirements and offers a remarkable variety of applications.

The BENNING TC 30 impresses with its high image resolution and thermal sensitivity, which means it delivers excellent image and video quality. The camera has powerful features. These include the five image viewing types: thermal, fusion, optical, picture-in-picture and blend. The BENNING TC 30 also offers eight colour palettes for individual display of the thermal image, options for temperature monitoring with alarm as well as WLAN and hotspot functions.

Typical applications of thermography

  • Monitoring and analysis within the framework of manufacturing processes and quality management, e.g. of generators, turbines, energy distribution and sources
  • Analysis and documentation of maintenance and repair work in industrial applications
  • Energy efficiency analysis, e.g. of building façades and building technology, such as electrical distribution, underfloor heating and photovoltaic installations
  • Monitoring functions of pumps, containers, agricultural and agricultural machinery systems
  • Support for police, fire and military operations
  • Investigations in human and veterinary medicine

A versatile tool for maintenance and service

The BENNING TC 30 makes temperature differences visible at first glance. In thermal analysis, the camera shows a structured image in the 3.5” colour touch display. Supported by the temperature information (MIN / MAX / CENTER), deviations from normality are easily identified. This allows problem areas to be located quickly, enabling targeted repairs or proactive damage prevention.

Thermographic measurements can be carried out during operation and from a safe distance to inspect critical electrical and mechanical components, connections or zones. The viewing distance can be increased even further by mirroring the camera image on a smartphone or tablet using the iOS®/Android™ app, from where it can be saved and documented directly.

More than just snapshots

The BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera can do more than just observe the moment. It offers the possibility to define a temperature threshold as a limit and to link it to an alarm function. This is interesting for sensitisation during instantaneous observation but also for long-term observations in test and inspection fields.

Thermographic image of a heat pump center
The thermographic image of a heat pump plant shows insulation damage in the access area of the temperature sensor to the water tank
Thermal image of a house distribution board with electricity meters and circuit breakers
Thermal image of a house distribution board with electricity meters and circuit breakers. The heating of the control relay (upper part of the picture) is still within the normal range
Transfer of a thermal image from the camera to a smartphone via hotspot
Transfer of a thermal image from the camera to a smartphone via hotspot

Electrothermography

Electrothermography can be used wherever a current flow naturally generates heat. By quickly and contactlessly locating problem areas without stopping the flow of operations, thermography helps identify weak points.

This makes it an important part of preventive maintenance and damage prevention. Most damage, e.g. due to malfunctions, material fatigue or wear in energy distribution and generation, is preceded by thermal anomalies.

Thermal imaging cameras enable precise and easy assessment of the heating status of voltage systems such as power distribution systems, transformers, substations and overhead lines.

Thermographic image of transformers of a power supply system
Thermographic image of transformers of a power supply system
BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera during thermography in picture-in-picture mode

Functions and features

  • 3.5” colour touch screen (640 x 480 pixels)
  • Thermal resolution: 256 x 192 (49,152 pixels)
  • Thermal sensitivity (NETD): < 0.04 °C (40 mK)
  • Measuring range: - 20 °C – 400 °C
  • Optical image resolution: 2 MP, 5 MP, 8 MP
  • 4x digital zoom
  • Measurements with MIN, MAX, CENTER temperature
  • Recording types: Single image, continuous (1 – 9 images), scheduled recording (interval: 1 – 60 s)
  • File formats: Radiometric JPEG (image), MP4 (video)
  • Thermal images/videos, visual images
  • Refresh rate: 25 Hz
  • Picture modes: Thermal, fusion, optical, picture-in-picture, blending
  • 8 color palettes for displaying the thermal image
  • Automatic detection of hotspots and coldspots
  • Alarm function at high temperature (visual/acoustic)
  • 16 GB flash memory (approx. 60,000 images, 54 hours of videos)
  • Wi-Fi and device hotspot for mobile devices
  • Data transfer to PC via USB Type C
  • Li-Ion battery, charger USB Type C
  • Protection class / fall height: IP 54 / 2 m
  • Macro mode for thermal detail analysis (macro lens required)
Thermal imaging camera BENNING TC 30
Thermal imaging camera BENNING TC 30

Thermal image of an engine component during loading of the drying oven
Thermal image of an engine component during loading of the drying oven
Thermographic visual inspection of the motor and pressure hoses of a sheet metal punch without interrupting operation
Thermographic visual inspection of the motor and pressure hoses of a sheet metal punch without interrupting operation

Industrial thermography

In industrial applications, such as mechanical engineering, thermography is used to measure the temperature of gear housings, bearings, compressors, engines and hydraulic systems. The aim is to reduce overheating and wear.

Used for temperature monitoring on cooling systems, steam lines, fans, turbines, steam boilers, pipelines, generators, energy distribution systems or entire production lines, thermography serves both for monitoring and for early detection of damage.

Regular thermal quality controls during the ongoing production process ensure product quality and economic efficiency.

Building thermography

With its analysis and representation in images and videos, thermography plays an important role in increasing the energy efficiency of buildings. This applies both during preparation and throughout the project. The inspection with the BENNING TC 30 shows thermal bridges on façades and weak points in heating systems and provides insights into how to achieve energy efficiency targets.

With its high optical image resolution and a thermal sensitivity of 40 mK (0.04 °C), it detects even the smallest temperature differences in the building structure. This far exceeds the usual requirement of 100 mK (0.1 °C) for a thermal imaging camera used in building thermography.

Photovoltaic thermography

PV modules are exposed to wind and weather, which accelerates natural aging and weathering, reduces the efficiency of the electronic components and thus reduces the efficiency of the overall system.

The BENNING TC 30 not only reveals obvious problems such as dirt or broken solar modules, but also faulty connections, contact problems, hotspots and much more. This camera therefore offers excellent options for PV installation testing including documentation and is also suitable for damage prevention during later operation. It significantly contributes to the value retention and economic efficiency of the PV system.

BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera Thermography of a solar roof
Quickly check a photovoltaic system for hotspots that would indicate possible damage

In pain therapy or to confirm circulatory disorders, thermography is used as a supporting and confirming method

Thermography in medical technology

In human and veterinary medicine, thermography offers flexible and efficient diagnostic methods. The contactless, non-invasive procedure is patient-friendly and provides medical professionals with a visual distribution profile of the body temperature. Vast new knowledge and successes have been obtained in the diagnosis of breast cancer, nervous system disorders, metabolic diseases, neck and back problems, pain syndromes, arthritis, soft tissue injuries and vascular diseases.

Thermography offers veterinarians in veterinary practices or clinics, therapists, caregivers in zoological institutions or even trainers in dog and equestrian sports new possibilities for the detection and treatment of incorrect loading, muscle tension, inflammation, injuries and joint problems.

Documentation and thermal analysis

Berichte und Protokolle über die erstellten thermischen Aufzeichnungen werden mit der Software BENNING TC Analyser ohne großen Aufwand am PC verfasst. Die Software ist anwenderfreundlich strukturiert und erzeugt aussagekräftige, professionelle Berichte. Insbesondere die Bild-im-Bild-Darstellung ist eine interessante Option, um im Bericht zu zeigen, wo sich das gemessene Objekt und dessen Hotspot/Coldspot befinden.

Reports and protocols on the thermal recordings produced are easily created on a PC using the BENNING TC Analyser software. The software is structured in a user-friendly manner and produces meaningful, professional reports. In particular, the picture-in-picture display is an interesting option to show in the report where the measured object and its hotspot/coldspot are located.

In addition to the PC software, the BENNING TC Image Link analysis app is also available free of charge in the App Store® (iOS®) or Google Play™ Store (Android™).

Documentation of the thermal recording of transformers of a power supply system using the analysis software BENNING TC Analyser
Documentation of the thermal recording of transformers of a power supply system using the analysis software BENNING TC Analyser
Another example of documentation and logging with the analysis software BENNING TC Analyser
Another example of documentation and logging with the analysis software BENNING TC Analyser

Optional accessory – the macro lens

With the optionally attachable macro lens, the smallest target area can be inspected so precisely that even nuances of the temperature spectrum (from 500 µm x 500 µm) can be evaluated. The close range begins at an object distance of just 30 mm. Features that make this camera-lens combination an ideal analysis tool when it comes to inspecting small electronic components, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), detecting potential design errors or evaluating PCB hotspots.

And the best thing about it is that the macro lens is ready for use immediately after being attached and activated in the menu, without any further calibration.

Thermography of a populated circuit board using the optional macro lens
Thermography of a populated circuit board using the optional macro lens
Optional accessories: Macro lens
BENNING TC 30 thermal imaging camera during thermography in picture-in-picture mode

Advantages and benefits of thermography from an economic perspective

  • Reduction of
    • Downtime and work interruptions
    • unscheduled maintenance and inspections
  • increased security
  • Avoiding damage to property
  • longer service life of machines, systems and components
  • improved energy and production efficiency
  • Increase overall productivity

Scope of delivery BENNING TC 30

Economic aspects

Thermography reduces downtime and maintenance times, increases safety, prevents property damage, extends the service life of machines and improves energy and production efficiency. This makes it an important tool in financial and investment controlling.

Conclusion

By using the BENNING TC 30 and thermal imaging technology, a wide variety of situations in many industries can be thermally recorded and analysed. This helps to increase safety and functionality, provide preventive protection, preserve values ​​in the long term and save costs. Experts are already taking advantage of the versatile applications and benefits of thermography. With the BENNING TC 30, a high-quality temperature testing and measuring device with very good performance characteristics and an outstanding range of functions is now available.

Further Information

author/contact: Tobias Enck
telephone: +49 2871 93 447
e-mail:

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