Thermal sources which radiation can be modulated by supplying the heater with alternating voltage are used in gasanalysers operating on the basis of absorption of infrared radiation. Suitability of the source for direct modulation (i.e. with-out the use of a mechanical chopper) can be determined by frequency limit of modulation and energetic efficiency. Two IR source models, which heaters are made of platinum foil, have been studied. The maximum operating temperature of the sources was 1000oC. The models varied with regard to the way of heat transfer. Conduction through layer of gas between the platinum foil and the substrate was a dominating way of exchanging heat for the first source. Cooling of the heater of the second source took place due to the heat conduction in the platinum foil. Frequency limits obtained for the examined thermal source models are 2 and 5-times higher than for microbulbs, respectively, which are a commonly applied infrared source in simple gas analysers.