The first commercial use of infrared thermography was in the field of medicine. In the mid 1950's a Canadian doctor began studies on breast cancer using an infrared scanning system. Today medical applications are once again being explored. Areas such as soft tissue injuries show much promise.
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Medical Applications Infrared Cameras
Medical Infrared Cameras
Medical Infrared Site

Electrical inspections, both outdoor and indoor, are the best known use of thermography at the present time. This application was started in the mid 1960's with the advent of semi portable equipment. Locating a "hot spot" with thermography can save thousands of dollars. Fires, unscheduled outages and lost production due to electrical anomalies can be avoided by using infrared thermography on a regular basis.

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Infrared Electrical Applications

In the 1970's many petrochemical producers around the word began using infrared imaging thermography in applications such as furnace tube inspections. Conditions such as coking and scaling could be identified with specially configured infrared cameras. Infrared is also used to identify refractory/insulation problems as well as storage tank contamination and sediment buildup.

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Infrared Process Control Applications

Since the early 1970's, using infrared imaging for  Building inspections has fast become the norm.  With a thermal imaging camera, missing insulation, air infiltration/exfiltration, poor window seals etc. can all be easily identified, saving inspectors valuable time and resources. On conventional built-up flat roof structures, areas of moisture infiltration can be located quickly and accurately by a properly trained thermographer. These areas can be identified by their image signatures under certain environmental conditions, saving the building owner tens of thousands of dollars in repairs.

Quality Control  Home Inspection with Thermal Imaging (PDF)

Infrared Building Inspections Site

Infrared thermographic testing of electronic components such as printed circuit boards (PCBs) has become a valuable tool in production and diagnostic areas. The ability of thermography to view small objects, and remotely determine thermal characteristics and temperatures has become an invaluable tool to electronic manufacturers. 

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Infrared Electronic Applications