Infrared Thermometer: Here's What You Must Know (2022 Guide)

 

Infrared Thermometer Introduction

Infrared thermometers measure surface temperature by monitoring thermal radiation levels.

In industrial settings and other contexts, it may be dangerous or difficult to monitor a subject's temperature directly. Thermal radiation is used to measure temperature remotely.

Almost everything emits heat. IR thermometers measure body temperature by channeling infrared radiation to a thermopile. As the thermopile warms, the electric current changes. The thermopile current indicates the temperature.

Depending on how they're made, IR thermometers can measure a range of temperatures. Distance-to-spot ratios are 4:1, 8:1, 30:1, and 50:1. The higher the ratio, the further you can escape the heat.

An infrared thermometer ranges from -100°F to 10000°F, making it easy to inspect most items.

This article will help you choose the best infrared thermometer by discussing three popular models.

Infrared thermometers are explained.

How does an infrared thermometer work?

The infrared thermometer's laser makes it easy to measure the temperature of a wall or other object.

Once the laser measures the surface's temperature, the device displays it in units.

A remote temperature reading is handy for checking hot things or areas, such as a car engine or Thanksgiving turkey.

Infrared thermometers have different designs, but they all work similarly.

The infrared thermometer is a handheld handgun with a point-and-click interface that can read the temperature of any non-organic surface, such as food, vehicles, or insulation.

Infrared thermometers mark temperature spots with lasers. You can designate the laser's target's center.

The measured area is larger than the laser mark, which indicates where to measure.

Most infrared thermometers are accurate. Reflecting surfaces can make interpreting infrared radiation difficult. Glossier surfaces make them more emissive.

If you want precise measurements, take numerous readings from the same position and the center point.

Infrared Thermometer Types

Infrared thermometers consist of a lens that directs heat infrared radiation onto a detector, which turns it into a color-coded signal.

Infrared thermometers can measure temperature without touching the thing.

Infrared thermometers can be adjusted differently depending on the task.

Three popular IR thermometers are shown below.

Spot infrared thermometers

These thermometers, called pyrometers, discover and measure surface temperature like handheld radar guns. Spot infrared thermometers are recommended for measuring thermal radiation on hard-to-access or harsh-environment assets.

HVAC technicians may have used a spot infrared thermometer in your workplace or home to measure a ventilation system's temperature. They achieve an accurate reading by pointing the gun at ceiling vents.

Spot infrared thermometers are used for preventive maintenance on belts, bearings, electrical rooms, fluid-handling systems, and more.

Spot infrared thermometers measure temperature using FOV and distance-to-spot (D:S). A spot thermometer's target must be in its field of view for an accurate temperature reading. An error will occur if the ambient temperature deviates from the desired value.

Distance-to-spot ratio is the measuring area's diameter divided by the object's distance. Higher ratios mean higher resolution and fewer measured regions. For example, a 40-to-1 spot thermometer measures small objects more precisely than a 10-to-1 gadget.

Infrared scanner systems

Wide-angle infrared thermometers like this are commonly used in manufacturing settings with conveyor or web systems. Common uses for infrared scanner systems include inspecting items passing by on a conveyor belt, scanning glass, or inspecting metal as it comes out of an oven.

Infrared thermal-imaging cameras

To create two-dimensional thermographic images, thermal-imaging cameras measure temperature at several spots across a large area.

Thermal imaging cameras use more software and hardware than spot thermometers.

Most cameras can be connected to software for real-time analysis, accuracy, and report generation.

Modern thermal cameras are portable.

Infrared thermal imaging cameras can flip between color palettes to distinguish temperature differences.

Iron palette: It is amongst the most popular palettes. Black is coldest, blue or purple is slightly warmer, red, orange, or yellow is mid-range, and white is hottest.

Black-and-white palette: This color scheme exposes details by showing black-to-white hues through grayscale. Grayscale is utilized in security cameras and night vision. Unfortunately, it's rarely used in machinery imaging due to the difficulties of distinguishing temperature variation with two colors.

Rainbow palette: It depicts thermal sensitivity using different colors to represent temperature fluctuations. The rainbow palette uses more colors to signify temperatures, like the iron palette.

Extra Features

Infrared cameras have a color alert, split-screen, and fusion mixing.

You can choose a temperature threshold above or below which the camera won't display a color thermal image.

Fusion blending combines a digital image with the lowest or greatest thermal average temperature.

It's easy to get sidetracked by a thermal camera's settings.

What should a thermal camera have? Heat sensitivity and detector resolution are key.

The detector resolution shows how many pixels are seen. Your camera should support 160x120, 320x240, and 640x480. 640x480 imagers display 307,200-pixel images.

Heat sensitivity is a thermal imaging camera's minimum temperature difference. Suppose a camera can detect 0.05-degree temperature variations. In that situation, it can detect a 5-degree temperature change.

Consider the camera's lowest and maximum temperatures. Temperatures range from -4°F to 2,200°F.

Closing Remarks

This was a short guide regarding IR thermometers and the understanding needed for infrared thermography.

If you've read to the end, you know enough to hire the correct infrared thermographer and not be duped by persons professing to be specialists but not understanding the nuances.

Look at the big picture. In addition to a thermography inspection, 40-year recertification is necessary to protect your property from internal and external harm.

It's advisable to hire specialists for both services because it's cheaper. For example, one person doing everything means fewer people to manage.

Souffront Construction and Engineering helps here. With a strong team of general contractors, structural engineers, Level II trained infrared thermographers, and recertification experts, Souffront is committed to providing top-notch services regardless of the situation.

Feel free to contact the support team for any queries or services.

There is even a blog devoted to infrared thermometers and the things you should know before getting one and doing a thermography inspection. Here, have a read.