Bosch temperature measuring tools

Every object with a temperature higher than 0 kelvin emits energy as infrared (thermal) radiation. The higher the temperature, the higher the quantity of radiation that is emitted. A thermal imaging camera makes this thermal radiation visible. A thermal image shows the distribution of temperatures within a measuring range. Each pixel of the camera contains information about a temperature point. With a thermal resolution of 160 x 120 pixels, the GTC 400 C Professional can provide a thermal image with up to 19,200 different measuring points, for example.

Thermal imaging cameras like the GTC 400 Professional or the GTC 600 C Professional can be used to measure the temperature distribution of a relatively large area. Thousands of measurement points are compiled in an image and provide a rapid overview of critical areas. For example, it helps to rapidly identify problems in areas where temperature differences have to be located.

Point measurement using the GIS 1000 C Professional accurately measures the surface temperature as the average of a small area. If necessary, the relative humidity and ambient temperature can also be measured (depending on the application). The GIS 1000 C Professional is therefore suitable for precise point measurements. It aids detailed analysis of small areas and localised measurements.

A thermal imaging camera measures the surface temperature of objects and shows this as a thermal image in the display. This provides a clear and simple overview of heat distribution and differences in temperature.

The tool always measures the average of a circular area between the two laser points.

The average temperature inside this area is shown as the measured value on the display. In addition to surface temperature, the tool can measure relative humidity and ambient temperature.

As far as thermal sensitivity is concerned, smaller is better. This value is a measure for the noise produced by the camera.

The quieter the noise, the smaller the temperature differences that can be detected. With an NETD of < 50 mK, the GTC 400 C Professional can therefore be used to visualise very fine or even minimal differences in temperature.

The closer the tool is to the measurement object, the more precise the measurement. From further away, the measuring results can become less precise, e.g. small differences in temperature become less easily visible or cannot be perceived at all. A minimum distance of 30 cm should be adhered to, since the tool requires at least this distance to be able to focus correctly.

For optimum results, configure the tool by selecting the material you are measuring (emissivity). A selection list of the most common materials and their associated emissivity is stored on the GTC. However, it is possible to enter user-defined values.

Emissivity is a parameter that provides information about how much thermal radiation an object emits and how strongly the reflected temperature influences the measurement. The emissivity has a substantial influence on the accuracy of the temperature measurement that can be achieved. In order to obtain the most accurate measurement result, the emissivity must be adapted to the material of the measured surface in the settings.

The highest measuring accuracy can be achieved:

• For surfaces with high emissivity
• When the correct emissivity is set
• When the correct background temperature is set

For more information, you can download the PDF "An introduction to thermal imaging" from our Thermal Campus.

The measurement begins as soon as the tool is switched on. If you would like to view a still version of the image, i.e. freeze it in place, simply press the trigger to do so. To continue measurement, press the trigger again. If you would like to save the image on the tool, simply press the bottom left button. This is possible both during the measurement and also when viewing a still or frozen image.

The measurement starts when the red trigger on the back of the tool is pressed and stops when the trigger is released. The tool measures the average surface temperature of the circular area between the two laser dots.

The small sensor between trigger and IR-measurement opening measures relative air humidity and ambient temperature accurately. Therefore, it’s necessary to remove the protective cap for measurement.

Thanks to the built-in real image camera, for every thermal image (…X.jpg) a real image (…Y.jpg) is also saved. This makes it easier for you to identify any objects which are unclear in the thermal image. On the GTC 600 C Professional, you can also record a voice memo. This is then saved along with the corresponding thermal image with the extension "...Z.wav". This means that you will then have all the information correctly assigned to the corresponding thermal image.

In addition, the raw data of the temperatures is also stored in the real image. Each pixel therefore has a temperature value stored in it and if you like, you can easily edit the real images (…Y.jpg) in our free GTC Transfer Software. You can also effortlessly create an evaluation or report. The software can be found here.

The captured images are saved in the gallery of the GTC 400 C Professional. The gallery can be opened in measuring mode via the left function button of the control panel. You can browse through saved images in the gallery with the left and right arrow buttons. Using the up and down arrow buttons, you can switch between the real and thermal image on the GTC 600 C Professional. Using the function button ("Func"), you can also record and save voice memos here.

Different temperatures in the thermal image are represented by different temperature colours of a colour scheme. In the course of this, the colours are evenly distributed within the temperature range on the screen between the lowest and highest temperature of the image field. If the temperature range in the measured image field changes, e.g. due to the movement of the camera, the colour distribution will be adjusted automatically.

If you do not want the colour distribution to be adjusted automatically, e.g. if you wish to maintain the same colour scale across different image fields for a better comparison, the colour scheme can be locked using the right function button (lock function on the display). Another way to prevent the colour scale from changing automatically is to use the manual mode (via the "Func" function button in measuring mode).

In principle, neither the thermal imaging camera nor the infrared thermometer need to be calibrated on a regular basis. However, if the tool has been subjected to significant drops or impacts, we can offer a re-calibration service via Bosch Service. This means you can ensure that your measurement results continue to be exact.

It is only possible to add a voice note of up to 30 seconds for each image on the GTC 600 C. The voice note can be recorded in the GTC 600 C picture gallery using the FUNC button. You can also use the FUNC button to play the voice note. To delete a voice note and record a new one, you should select "Delete audio only" via the function button at the top right in the gallery. The voice note can then be recorded again using the FUNC button.

Our thermal measuring tools are not designed or permitted for use on people.

While thermal imaging on animals can be useful in diagnosis, it is no substitute for an expert opinion. National regulations must be observed when using the GTC for veterinary applications. The following countries are permitted:

• Germany
• France
• Austria
• Romania
• Türkiye
• Hungary
• Portugal

We do not recommend the use of the GIS for measuring the temperature of animals.

A thermal imaging camera can only be used to measure surface temperatures.
To measure the temperature of liquids, the GIS 1000 C Professional can be used with a special external immersion probe (Type K).

A thermal imaging camera can only be used to measure surface temperatures. To precisely measure the temperature of airflows or gases, the GIS 1000 C Professional can be used with a special external temperature probe (type K).

If you want to find out more about how to use the GIS 1000 C infrared thermometer with a temperature probe, take a look at our Thermal Campus here.

You can find detailed tips for infrared measurements in our Thermal Campus: Tip 5 provides useful information for measuring reflective surfaces.

The Bosch ThermalOn app can be downloaded in the Apple App Store and in the Google Play Store.

Download: Apple Store

Download: Google Play Store

The app is only available for Android and iOS tablets and smartphones. Other operating systems are not supported. Supported devices: Bluetooth®- and WiFi-enabled smartphones and tablets from Android 8.0 and iOS 14.

Images can be saved and stored on the tool, and accessed via the gallery when required. If you would like to instantly share these images with other people (such as colleagues or customers) you can also transfer the images to a mobile device (e.g. smartphone or tablet). The transfer can be made via the corresponding Bosch ThermalOn app.

The Bosch ThermalOn app is a new, standalone app. Images and measurement data from the Measuring Master app cannot be transferred to it.

The projects are stored on the smartphone/tablet they were created on and cannot be transferred to other devices.

Yes, your data will be retained when a software update is performed. To be safe, before you perform an update, you should save the projects on your laptop/PC by "sharing" them and forwarding them as a PDF or JPEG file to your e-mail address.

To establish a connection between your GTC and your smartphone/tablet, please activate the Wi-Fi connection on both devices. The Wi-Fi function on the Bosch GTC Professional can be activated via the camera's tool settings. Once Wi-Fi is activated on your thermal imaging camera, the connection key is shown at the bottom of the tool display. Make sure that Wi-Fi is activated on your smartphone/tablet. Then open the thermal imaging function in the Bosch ThermalOn app and tap on the plus symbol to establish a connection between the two devices. Now follow the instructions in the app and enter the displayed key in the Wi-Fi settings of you smartphone/tablet to connect to the thermal imaging camera

First, make sure that Bluetooth® is activated on your GIS and on the smartphone/tablet, and that both devices are within range. After that, you can tap on the Bluetooth® symbol under the "Spot measurements" function in the app and your device will appear on the display. To connect to your device for the first time, tap on "connect" in the Bluetooth® menu. Please note that this connection must always be established via the app, not via the settings menu on your smartphone/tablet.

If the tool has been connected to the smartphone/tablet before, the two devices will connect automatically as long as Bluetooth/Wi-Fi is activated on both devices, the devices are within range and the smartphone/tablet is not connected to any other Wi-Fi network.

You can send and share your images and data as JPEG or PDF file.

To export the project, open it and tap on the export icon in the upper right corner. Alternatively, the project can be shared within the project overview by tapping on the three dots.

The projects are saved automatically.

The GIS and GTC data can be transferred to a PC via the tool's USB port and viewed on this PC. For this purpose, GIS/GTC must be switched on.

For Windows operating systems (Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 10), we also provide the free GTC Transfer Software, with which you can edit and document your saved thermal images. The software is available to download from www.bosch-professional.com/gtc

The GTC Transfer Software can be downloaded free of chargehere

You can send us an e-mail at app.support@bosch.com under "Settings" → "Contact" and report an error, make a suggestion for improvement or ask a question.