Infrared thermometers can measure the temperature of an object in no time without ever making contact with it. Thermometers can be used for multiple applications, from checking your child’s temperature to monitoring factory machinery. But how exactly do they work?
In this article, we’ll introduce you to the basics of infrared thermometers for beginners.
Infrared thermometer/ What Is an Infrared Thermometer?
An infrared temperature thermometer is a handheld device that can take the temperature of an object without having to make contact with it, thereby reading the infrared radiation the object emits. All physical objects with a temperature above absolute zero emit infrared radiation, and more radiation is emitted as the temperature increases. Infrared thermometers detect this radiation and translate it into a readable temperature.
Thermometers that use this feature are generally important in cases where contact is undesirable or unable to occur, such as in food safety, medical, and measuring very hot surfaces.
How Do Infrared Thermometers Work?
Unlike other types of thermometers, the process of measuring your temperature with infrared thermometers is both simple and effective:
Thermometer Construction: A lens focused infrared radiation from an object onto a detector (normally thermopile) that converts the radiation into an electrical signal
Process the signal: The electrical signal is then transported to the thermometer’s onboard computer, which processes the data and translates it to temperature.
Adjusting for Emissivity: Various materials radiate infrared energy at different levels. This accommodation allows for accurate readings based on what materials compose the surface.
Indicating the Temperature: The temperature is shown on the thermometer’s screen, usually in Celsius or Fahrenheit.
This process is fast, with infrared thermometers sometimes functioning in one second, so they are particularly suited for mass measurements in many environments.
The advantages of Infrared Temperature Thermometers
Non-Contact Measurement: Infrared thermometers measure temperature from the outside without contacting the object directly. This makes them particularly safe in environments where there could be a risk of infecting or damaging the object being tested, like measuring body temperature in a hospital or identifying the temperature of heavy-relying machinery.
Hygienic and safe: Infrared thermometers do not require surface contact, so they involve minimal risk of contamination. This is why they are a great choice for food safety, hospital environments, or anywhere touch-free safety is a concern.
Testing Speed: Infrared thermometers can deliver results in milliseconds, which is generally vital in industries or scenarios where time is the most effective. For instance, in an industrial environment, sensors can measure (i.e., check) the temperature of moving parts/machinery without breaking the workflow.
Measuring Hot or Hazardous Surfaces: This device is ideal for measuring temperatures in situations where touching the object is unsafe or impossible (e.g., engine components, boilers, molten metals). Its ability to measure extreme temperatures comes in handy to prevent accidents and maintain safety.
Industry Applications: Infrared thermometers are utilized across various sectors, ranging from automotive and food safety to healthcare, manufacturing, and home maintenance. This capability enables them to be versatile tools in multiple industries.
Key Takeaway
Infrared thermometers tend to be used as multipurpose devices as they provide a quick and contactless method of measuring temperature while being able to read the temperature for a variety of objects.
Whether at home measuring your child’s temperature or in an industrial setting checking machinery, thermometers like these give readings in a fraction of a second and are highly accurate. If you know how they work, you can best use them for multiple applications.