Directly from the manufacturer

Image
  1. Home
  2. Services
  3. Knowledgebase Thermography
  4. Messwissen von Testo | Im Außenbereich thermografieren

Outdoor thermography

Thermography: knowledge and practice

Thermografie praktisches Wissen

Special features of outdoor thermography

The IR radiation from clear skies is colloquially referred to as “cold sky radiation”. When the sky is clear, cold sky radiation (~ -50 ... -60 °C) and warm solar radiation (~ 5500 °C) are reflected during the day. In terms of surface area, the sky outweighs the sun, so that the reflected temperature in outdoor thermography is usually below 0 °C, even on a sunny day.

Due to the absorption of solar radiation, objects in the sun heat up. This influences the surface temperature significantly - sometimes even hours after exposure to sunlight.

Tips and tricks for outdoor thermography

  • It is best to take measurements in the early morning hours and/or when the sky is densely cloudy. But it shouldn't rain or snow. Fog or strong wind are also unfavorable.

  • Change your position while measuring to detect reflections. Reflections move, thermal abnormalities in the measurement object remain in the same place - even when the viewing angle changes.

  • Avoid measurements near very hot or cold objects or shield them.
    Avoid direct sunlight, even a few hours before the measurement. Also note the cloud cover a few hours before the measurement.

  • Do not measure on the thermal imaging camera if there is condensation of humidity.

  • Do not measure in heavily contaminated air (e.g. freshly blown dust).

testo 883 Thermografie im Außenbereich

Theoretical basics of thermography

Find out more about the physical basics of thermography in our compact tutorial. A real advantage for e.g. B. to set the correct emissivity for each surface.

testo 879 Anwendung Gebäude
Headquarters
Testo Inc.
40 White Lake Road
07871Sparta
New Jersey
800-227-0729

© 2026