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Infrared thermometers, also known as temperature guns or laser thermometers, measure surface temperature. Most infrared thermometers on the market are gun-style thermometers. These allow you to easily "point and shoot" at the surface of the object or material you want to measure.
Infrared thermometers work by using a lens to focus light onto a detector, called a thermopile. The thermopile then absorbs the infrared radiation and turns it into heat to produce a temperature reading.
Infrared thermometers take surface temperature readings without making contact with the object being read. This removes the danger of burns or scalding. The gun-style thermometers are also extremely quick – an advantage if you needs to quickly measure temperature.
These features can be advantageous in a number of fields, including the following:
Basic thermometers start at around $20, while industrial models with larger temperature ranges can cost $400 or more. When deciding which thermometer to buy, you'll need to consider the following:
Infrared thermometers can take temperatures from -50 degrees to above 800 degrees Celsius. The range you need will depend on what you're planning to measure. For most surfaces, a range of up to 550 degrees Celsius should suffice. If you're using the thermometer in industrial environments, aim for the biggest range possible.
Accuracy tends to cost more. High-end models tend to be accurate to around +/- 1%, whereas less precise models can have a range of +/- 2%.
A quick reading is convenient. The most efficient thermometers can take a measurement in a matter of seconds.
Check that you can read the display and that the numbers are large, so you can easily see record temperature readings
The "spot" is the circle of space that your infrared thermometer takes the temperature of. The most common DS ratio is 12:1, meaning that a measurement distance of 12 inches takes the reading of a 1-inch spot. If you think you'll be measuring from further away, try to find an infrared thermometer with a larger DS ratio.
Some infrared thermometers offer adjustable emissivity; some do not. Emissivity is a measure between 0 and 1 that indicates a surface's ability to emit infrared radiation. Readings are relative to a perfect black body, which emits at 100%, or 1. If you're going to be measuring a variety of surfaces, you want to be able to adjust the emissivity.
Some infrared thermometers have the storage capacity to log and save readings. This feature allows you to compare fluctuations over time or return to a reading if you neglected to record it at the time.
If you're using an infrared thermometer in the workplace, or even at home, it may encounter some bumps and bruises. Check the manufacturer's warranty before you buy.
Infrared thermometers are generally simple to use. However, you should always read the manufacturer's instructions to help you get the most accurate readings. The general steps to using an infrared thermometer are as follows:
If you follow the manufacturer's instructions, you should get consistently accurate temperature readings. Here are three tips to make sure you get the right reading as often as possible:
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