Newark element14 Partners with Fluke on Visual Infrared Thermometer

October 4, 2013. Newark element14 has announced it will stock the VT04 Visual Infrared Thermometer from Fluke, a troubleshooting tool with an infrared heat map that offers high resolution as well as temperature alarms and time-lapse features.

Fluke Visual IR Thermometers fill the gap when a single-spot temperature reading is not enough and a high-resolution thermal image is more than users need; the one tool combines the visual insight of a thermal imager, the visual images of a digital camera, and the point-and-shoot convenience of an IR thermometer.

Compared with the VT02, the Fluke VT04 offers a wider 28° x 28° field of view for improved scanning and up-close evaluation and four times sharper images. It also features a Hi/Lo temperature alarm that enables hot spots to be found in seconds and time-lapse functionality that automatically monitors equipment over time or automatically captures images after an alarm has been triggered. Images are saved to a micro-SD card, eliminating the need to write down single or multiple measurements. Analysis and reporting software is included.

Using the new Fluke VT04 is far faster for conducting inspections of electrical, industrial, HVAC/R, and automotive applications than an infrared thermometer, which requires multiple readings and manually recorded results.

The Fluke VT04, like the VT02, instantly detects problems using blended thermal and digital imagery. It will display and save images as full visual, full infrared, or in three blended modes (25%, 50%, and 75%). Markers pinpoint hot and cold spots indicating the hottest temperature with a red box and the coldest with a blue box. A temperature reading is provided at the center point.

The Fluke Visual Infrared Thermometer expands the user base from senior to junior technicians and broadens the applications for in-house staff, and it creates new business opportunities for service contractors. Images can be imported into SmartView analysis and reporting software, included with the VT04 and VT02, to produce professional reports that document problems detected, or repairs made, for management and customer review.

“The VT04 is a really exciting development for us as it bridges the gap between a single-spot temperature and a high-resolution thermal image,” said Chris Godfrey, global product director of Test & Tools at Newark element14. “We are constantly investing in and developing our product range in the test and measurement sector to make it easier for our customers to find all the products they need in one place.”

The Fluke VT04 costs $1,199 and is available from Newark element14 in North America and Farnell element14 in Europe. It will be available through element14 in APAC later in October.