How does an infrared thermometer work? An Infrared Thermometer is a handheld device that can display temperature readout on it after scanning portions of an object or area with the built-in laser.
Infrared thermometers are used to measure, surface temperature up to 1500 ºC.
The main use of the infrared thermometer is to read a particular spot on a surface of the human body, food, machinery, or equipment that emits heat.
How does an infrared thermometer work?
An infrared thermometer is a non-contact temperature measurement device. Infrared Thermometers detect the infrared energy emitted by all materials, at temperatures above absolute zero, (0°Kelvin)– and convert the energy factor into a temperature reading.
The most basic design consists of a lens to focus the infrared (IR) energy onto a detector, which converts the energy to an electrical signal that can be displayed in units of temperature after being compensated for ambient temperature variation.
How infrared thermometer works?
This configuration facilitates temperature measurement from a distance without contact with the object to be measured. As such, the infrared thermometer is useful for measuring temperature under circumstances where thermocouples or other probe-type sensors cannot be used or do not produce accurate data for a variety of reasons.
Some typical circumstances are where the object to be measured is moving; where the object is surrounded by an EM field, as in induction heating; where the object is contained in a vacuum or other controlled atmosphere; or in applications where a fast response is required.
What do infrared thermometers measure?
What temperatures do infrared thermometers measure?
Infrared thermometers allow users to measure temperature in applications where conventional sensors cannot be employed.
Why should I use an infrared thermometer to measure temperature in my application?
Specifically, in cases dealing with moving objects (i.e., Rollers, moving machinery, or a conveyor belt), or where non-contact measurements are required because of contamination or hazardous reasons (such as high voltage), where distances are too great, or where the temperatures to be measured are too high for thermocouples or other contact sensors.
What should I consider about my application when selecting an infrared thermometer?
The critical considerations for any infrared pyrometer include a field of view (target size and distance), type of surface being measured (emissivity considerations), spectral response (for atmospheric effects or transmission through surfaces), temperature range, and mounting (handheld portable, or fixed mount).
Other considerations include response time, environment, mounting limitations, viewing port or window applications, and desired signal processing.
Infrared thermometer range
A most accurate temperature reading. What is meant by Field of View, and why is it important?
The field of view is the angle of vision at which the instrument operates, and is determined by the optics of the unit.
To obtain an accurate temperature reading, the target being measured should completely fill the field of view of the instrument. Since the infrared device determines the average temperature of all surfaces within the field of view, if the background temperature is different from the object temperature, a measurement error can occur.
Digital Infrared Thermometer offers a unique solution to this problem. Many infrared Thermometers feature a laser dot. A single laser dot marks the center of the measurement area.
Infrared thermometer working principle
Applications of digital thermometer: Working with an Infrared Thermometer.
Infrared Thermometers are ideal for investigations because they respond to temperature changes instantly. The key to successfully using an infrared thermometer is to understand exactly what it is that you are measuring.
- Most infrared thermometers contain a built-in laser pointer to help the user determine which direction the thermometer is pointed to.
- Many people incorrectly assume that when they are using an infrared thermometer, they are measuring the temperature of whatever the dot happens to be touching.
- While an infrared thermometer does measure the temperature of the object that it is pointed at, the accuracy of the measurement varies with distance.
- If you measure an object’s temperature at point-blank range, then for all practical purposes the temperature that is being displayed is the object’s temperature.
- If you measure the same object’s temperature from 20 feet away, you will likely get a very different measurement.
- The reason why this occurs is that the size of the cone that is being measured increases with distance.
Therefore, you aren’t just measuring the object that the thermometer is pointed at. The thermopile is also collecting infrared energy from the air between itself and the object. You may also be collecting infrared energy from other nearby objects. In these types of situations, the thermometer may report an average temperature or a dominant temperature.
Infrared thermometer how it works?
When using an infrared thermometer on an investigation, investigators should try to take measurements from as close to the target object as possible in order to ensure accuracy. It is also important to realize that an infrared thermometer is not usually capable of measuring a floating cold spot.
Working of digital thermometer:
Pointing the thermometer at a cold spot will yield the aggregate temperature of the cold spot, it is not actually displaying the cold spot’s temperature, but rather what you are seeing is the cold spot’s influence on the aggregate temperatures of nearby objects.
Infrared thermometer accuracy
Infrared thermometer accuracy – Measurement considerations:
Holding the meter by its handle, point the IR Sensor toward the object whose temperature is to be measured. The meter automatically compensates for temperature deviations from the ambient temperature.
Keep in mind that it will take up to 30 minutes to adjust to wide ambient temperatures are to be measured followed by high-temperature measurements, some time (several minutes) is required after the low (and before the high) temperature measurements are made.
This is a result of the cooling process, which must take place for the IR sensor.
What does an infrared thermometer measure?
Infrared Thermometer Basics: Infrared thermometers measure temperature from a distance. This distance can be many miles or a fraction of an inch. Infrared thermometers are often used in circumstances when other sorts of thermometers are not practical. If an object is very fragile or dangerous to be near, for example, an infrared thermometer is a good way to get a temperature from a safe distance.
What Infrared Thermometers Do? Infrared thermometers work based on a phenomenon called black body radiation. Anything at a temperature above absolute zero has molecules inside of it moving around. The higher the temperature, the faster the molecules move.
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