Home/Industry/Standards & Metrology
Infrared testing is not ad-hoc; different devices require different national standards. Technical requirements and inspection for industrial inspection-type thermal imagers fall under GB/T 19870-2018. Parameter testing for infrared focal plane array detectors is governed by GB/T 17444-2013. Body surface temperature rapid screening instruments are specified by GB/T 19146-2010. Selecting the correct standard provides a verifiable basis for acceptance.
GB/T 19870-2018 "Industrial Inspection-Type Infrared Thermal Imagers" (replacing the 2005 edition) specifies technical requirements, test methods, and inspection rules for industrial inspection-type thermal imagers. It is designed for inspection applications in industries such as power, metallurgy, coal, and petrochemicals. This is the relevant Chinese national standard for industrial thermal imager selection and acceptance, providing a basis for evaluating specifications such as temperature measurement range, measurement accuracy, and thermal sensitivity.
GB/T 17444-2013 "Test Methods for Parameters of Infrared Focal Plane Arrays" (replacing the 1998 edition) defines the characteristic parameters of infrared focal plane arrays (linear and area arrays) and specifies their test methods. It covers responsivity, noise, detectivity D*, dead-pixel rate, and response non-uniformity, among others. These parameters should be measured according to this standard during detector development and production to ensure data comparability across batches and manufacturers.
A dead pixel is an anomalous pixel with excessively high, low, or no response. During testing, an image of a uniform blackbody is captured. Dead pixels are identified per-pixel based on standard criteria (e.g., responsivity deviation exceeding a set multiple of the mean or anomalous noise). The dead-pixel rate is the ratio of dead pixels to total pixels. Response non-uniformity quantifies the dispersion of response across the entire array (e.g., the ratio of standard deviation to the mean), reflecting imaging uniformity. Both measurements rely on a high-uniformity blackbody target as a uniform irradiance reference.
GB/T 19146-2010 "General Technical Specification for Infrared Human Body Surface Temperature Rapid Screening Instruments" addresses infrared devices for body temperature screening and defines their general technical requirements. It is important to note that body temperature screening devices and industrial thermal imagers are subject to different standards and cannot be used interchangeably during selection.
Additionally, military infrared detector/imager testing is covered by a separate system of National Military Standards (GJB) (addressing parameters like dead-pixel rate and responsivity). Most of these are controlled and not publicly available. Specific military standard numbers must be confirmed through controlled channels and are not detailed in this article.
Industrial inspection-type thermal imagers correspond to GB/T 19870-2018, "Industrial Inspection-Type Infrared Thermal Imagers". Its technical requirements, test methods, and inspection rules serve as a basis for selection and acceptance.
According to GB/T 17444-2013, after imaging a uniform blackbody, dead pixels are identified per-pixel based on standard criteria (e.g., responsivity deviation exceeding a set multiple of the mean or anomalous noise). The dead-pixel rate is the ratio of dead pixels to total pixels.
No. Body temperature screening devices correspond to GB/T 19146-2010, while industrial inspection-type imagers correspond to GB/T 19870-2018. They have different applicable scopes and cannot be used interchangeably.
Military infrared detectors/imagers are covered by a separate system of National Military Standards (GJB), most of which are controlled and not publicly available. Civilian products rely on public national standards (e.g., GB/T 17444, GB/T 19870). Specific military standard numbers must be confirmed through controlled channels.
IES's IR FPA Detector Test System and Thermal Imager Comprehensive Test System can measure parameters such as responsivity, dead-pixel rate, non-uniformity, and temperature measurement accuracy covered by GB/T 17444 and GB/T 19870. These systems can be integrated into a manufacturer's R&D and factory inspection workflows.
This article is a compilation and interpretation of industry information. Data and viewpoints cited from public sources are attributed. Market data labeled as estimates/projections may vary by source; primary reports should be considered authoritative. This article does not constitute any investment or procurement advice.