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Infrared: How it Works
By Hilarey Wojtowicz
Infrared is one of the newest up and coming types of light used to detect heat within objects.
Experts use infrared light across various fields of study, such as health, science, art and
entertainment. But what is it really and how does it work?
The Basics.
Infrared is light that is a part of the color spectrum. Its wavelengths are longer than those of the
visible light colors of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet. Because of this,
infrared is below red on the color spectrum, which correlates to its name – ‘infra’ which means
‘below’ and red, creating infrared.
Infrared is energy that is invisible to the human eye. The International Commission on
Illumination divided infrared into three different sections based on wavelengths. Near, medium
and far infrared, near being closest to red on the spectrum and the closest to the visible eye; far is
the farthest from red and closer to the longer wavelengths of microwaves.
Uses.
In order for infrared energy to be seen by the human eye as
an image, a process called thermal imaging is used. A
special camera is used to detect the temperature of an object
with red being the warmest area and violet being the coolest.
Thermal imaging is used by the military, by health
professionals and in night vision equipment. And recently it
has become a way to measure moisture, insulation, and
electrical and structural issues within home inspections.
BASEMENT WATER
Infrared in the Home.
Lewis Home Inspection is now a Certified Infrared (IR) Scanning Service. Companies such as
LHI can use infrared devices to help with home inspections. Equipment such as an infrared
camera (thermal imaging), a moisture meter, and gas detector can be used to inspect the
following aspects of a home:
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Water intrusion
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Insulation
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Roofing leaks
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Electrical systems
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Structural issues
ROOF LEAK