Seeing an SF6 leak takes an optical gas imaging (OGI) camera whose detector works in the infrared band where SF6 absorbs, so that the escape shows up on screen as a plume. The TC706 does it with passive thermal imaging at 9.8-11.2 µm (peak 10.55 µm) and a cooled 320 × 256 QWIP detector with NETD ≤ 0.025 °C at 30 °C: it displays the plume live at 60 Hz, with no specific background or auxiliary light, and pinpoints the leak at a distance with the equipment energised and in service.
TC706 key data
- Optical gas imaging: passive thermal imaging in the 9.8-11.2 µm band (peak 10.55 µm), where SF6 absorbs strongly; the TC706 shows the escape as a live plume, with no specific background or auxiliary light.
- Detector: cooled 320 × 256 QWIP with a thermal sensitivity (NETD) of ≤ 0.025 °C at 30 °C and a 60 Hz frame rate.
- Optics: 14.5° × 10.8° field of view (0.5 m minimum focus, 0.79 mrad IFOV) or 24° × 18° (0.3 m minimum focus, 1.13 mrad IFOV); automatic, motorised or manual focus and 1-4× electronic zoom.
- Visible gases: besides SF6, acetic acid, ammonia, FREON-12, cyanoacrylate, ethylene, chlorine dioxide and MEK, among other gases absorbing in its spectral band.
- Measuring thermography: −40 °C to +500 °C with ±2 °C or ±2 % of reading accuracy (whichever is greater), with up to 10 spots, 5 areas and 2 lines, profile, isotherm and voice and colour alarms.
- Displays and recording: 0.6-inch HD OLED viewfinder and 5-inch touchscreen (800 × 600); 1.3 MP visible camera, 14-bit radiometric JPEG, MPEG-4 video and 40 s voice notes on an 8 GB SD card (over 6000 images).
- In the field: 3 kg and 335 × 160 × 172 mm, Li-Ion battery for 3 h continuous use or external 10-15 V DC supply, IP54 and operation from −15 °C to +50 °C.
Advantages
Inspection without shutdowns
Passive thermal imaging in the 9.8-11.2 µm band, where SF6 absorbs strongly, locates the exact leak point remotely — no power outage and no auxiliary light or specific background required.
Cooled detector, double duty
The cooled 320 × 256 QWIP detector provides high-contrast imaging with a thermal sensitivity (NETD) of ≤ 0.025 °C and accurate temperature measurement from −40 °C to +500 °C, so it also covers routine thermographic inspection.
Designed for one operator
At 3 kg, with rotating handle and viewfinder, HD OLED eyepiece and a 5-inch touchscreen, the camera suits single-person field surveys at any angle.
Beyond SF6
Acetic acid, ammonia, FREON-12, cyanoacrylate, ethylene, chlorine dioxide and MEK are among the other detectable gases.
Complete field documentation
Radiometric image and video storage with voice annotation, built-in visible camera and HDMI output for full survey reports.
Applications
- SF6 leak surveys in gas-insulated substations and circuit breakers.
- Preventive inspection of energised switchgear.
- Tracing emissions of environmentally harmful gases.
About the product
SF6 is used across the electric power industry as an insulating and quenching medium in gas-insulated substations and circuit breakers; tracing its leaks protects both the installation and the environment. The TC706 documents each finding with radiometric images, video and voice notes for complete reports.
Analysis tools include up to 10 movable spots, 5 areas, 2 lines, profile, isotherm and temperature-difference functions with voice and colour alarms.
Technical specifications
| Detector | Cooled QWIP, 320 × 256 |
| Spectral range | 9.8-11.2 µm (peak 10.55 µm) |
| Thermal sensitivity (NETD) | ≤ 0.025 °C at 30 °C |
| Temperature range | −40 °C to +500 °C; ±2 °C or ±2 % |
| Displays | HD OLED viewfinder; 5-inch touchscreen |
| Battery | Li-Ion, 3 h continuous operation |
| Protection | IP54; −15 °C to +50 °C |
| Weight | 3 kg |
| Field of view / min. focus | 14.5° × 10.8° / 0.5 m or 24° × 18° / 0.3 m |
| Spatial resolution (IFOV) | 0.79 or 1.13 mrad |
| Frame rate and zoom | 60 Hz; 1-4× electronic zoom |
Frequently asked questions
Which OGI camera can see SF6 leaks?
One with a cooled detector working in the SF6 absorption band. The TC706 uses a cooled 320 × 256 QWIP detector at 9.8-11.2 µm, with NETD ≤ 0.025 °C at 30 °C and 60 Hz, so the escape appears on screen as a live plume, with no specific background or auxiliary light.
Which lens should I choose, and how close does it focus?
The TC706 works with a 14.5° × 10.8° field of view (0.79 mrad IFOV, 0.5 m minimum focus), which gives finer spatial resolution, or 24° × 18° (1.13 mrad IFOV, 0.3 m minimum focus), which covers a wider field at close range; both with 1-4× electronic zoom.
How does the camera detect SF6?
By passive thermal imaging in the 9.8-11.2 µm band, where SF6 absorbs infrared radiation strongly: the escape appears as a live plume on screen.
Does the installation need to be de-energised?
No. Leaks are located at a distance with the equipment energised and in service.
Can it measure temperature as well?
Yes. It measures from −40 °C to +500 °C with ±2 °C or ±2 % accuracy, with spot, area, line, profile and isotherm analysis.
How are findings documented?
With radiometric images and video, 40 s voice notes, the built-in visible camera and HDMI output.
