A www.instrumentchoice.com.au/instrument-choice/meters/environment-meters/ir-thermometers infrared thermometer helps pinpoint leaky air vents. It also helps you determine where areas of the house need more insulation. For example, measuring the temperature difference between the interior and exterior walls is possible to see if the difference is significant enough to cause an ice dam. In such a case, you can address the problem of seal air leaks. If you want to buy an infrared thermometer, you should know how to use it.

Disadvantages

When using an infrared thermometer, be aware that the distance between the object and the device will affect the temperature reading. Moreover, the emissivity of the object will also affect the reading. A sandwich box, for example, has a cellophane window. Therefore, the thermometer’s reading will probably be inaccurate if you hold it too close to the object.

Another disadvantage of an infrared thermometer is its lack of accuracy. Since it only measures surface temperatures, it’s impossible to obtain accurate readings unless the object is near the instrument. Furthermore, this method of measuring temperature requires the environment to be dust and humidity-free. In addition, infrared thermometers are expensive, and the price ranges widely. The table below lists the advantages and disadvantages of different models.

Field of view

The optical system of an infrared thermometer consists of an optical lens that receives infrared radiation from the surface to be measured and then focuses it onto a detector. The distance ratio of the infrared ray to the measurement object is a fundamental part of infrared thermometer optics. Therefore, it is imperative to remember that the FOV of your measurement object must be more significant than its field of view.

The field of view is an essential factor in www.instrumentchoice.com.au/instrument-choice/meters/environment-meters/ir-thermometer quality. This factor determines how far the IR device can detect a target. As the distance increases, the field of view becomes wider. However, the field of view can also be narrowed or widened depending on the device’s orientation. The most restricted field of view is a perpendicular or 90-degree angle orientation. A narrower field of view means the instrument only detects surface temperatures within the measurement area.

Limitations

While there are several benefits to using an IR thermometer, users must be aware of the limitations of IR thermometers. Knowing how to use an IR thermometer properly can minimize the risk of inaccurate readings, loss of accuracy, and poor interpretation of results. Limitations of infrared thermometers should be considered when developing a temperature measurement protocol and screening criteria. Listed below are some of the limitations of an IR thermometer.

Infrared thermometers measure the temperature of a surface using a lens system to focus the radiation. A detector then converts the energy to an electrical signal, and temperature is inferred from the signal. Some infrared thermometers are sensitive to a narrow range of wavelengths, while others use a more comprehensive range. Infrared thermometers use Planck’s law to relate the absorbed energy to temperature. However, broad-band infrared spectrometers are cheaper than narrow-band thermometers and suffer emissivity, depending on the wavelength.

Durability

The global infrared thermometer market is expected to grow substantially in the next few years, driven by the increasing adoption of this tool in various industrial applications, such as medical and manufacturing processes. These thermometers are renowned for their efficiency, precision, and durability, and several vendors have focused on providing specific solutions for the various industries they serve. For example, one vendor, Klein Tools, recently released an infrared thermometer incorporating a GFCI receptacle tester.

Safety

www.instrumentchoice.com.au/instrument-choice/meters/environment-meters/ir-thermometers Infrared thermometer detects human body heat and converts it into an electrical signal. The device then processes this signal and displays the temperature. Because infrared thermometers do not emit radiation, they pose no health risks. No scientific evidence has been found that using an infrared thermometer will cause harm to your brain. The device is designed for non-contact use, so you can use it in close quarters without fear of transferring any disease or contamination to others.

However, if you are unsure about the safety of infrared thermometers, you should check the label carefully. While most of these devices do not produce laser beams, some do. According to the FDA, non-contact infrared thermometers do not use lasers to measure body temperature. They also don’t pose an eye hazard, unlike laser thermometers.

Infrared thermometers are not cheap. As a result, be sure to compare several models and compare their emissivity settings. Some thermometers have fixed emissivity settings that aren’t appropriate for your surface. The fixed emissivity setting can cause issues with the accuracy of the readings on shiny, polished metal surfaces. Also, infrared thermometers can give false readings if you’re trying to measure the temperature of polished metal.