Infrared thermometer

An infrared thermometer is a thermometer which infers temperature from a portion of the thermal
radiation sometimes called black-body radiation emitted by the object being measured. They are sometimes
called laser thermometers as a laser is used to help aim the thermometer, or non-contact
thermometers or temperature guns, to describe the device's ability to measure temperature from a distance.
By knowing the amount of infrared energy emitted by the object and its emissivity, the object's temperature can
often be determined within a certain range of its actual temperature. Infrared thermometers are a subset of
devices known as "thermal radiation thermometers".
Sometimes, especially near ambient temperatures, readings may be subject to error due to the reflection of
radiation from a hotter body—even the person holding the instrument[citation needed] — rather than radiated by the
object being measured, and to an incorrect assumed emissivity.
The design essentially consists of a lens to focus the infrared thermal radiation on to a detector, which converts
the radiant power to an electricalsignal that can be displayed in units of temperature after being compensated
for ambient temperature. This permits temperature measurement from a distance without contact with the
object to be measured. A non-contact 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.

Infrared thermometers are temperature sensing devices that use electromagnetic

radiation to make non-contact surface temperature readings. Infrared thermometers,
sometimes called pyrometers, are widely used throughout many industries and
environments. They are especially useful for applications in which quick spot
temperature readings are desired or where conventional temperature sensors
cannot be easily used.

Thermometers can be classified as either contact or non-contact. Contact

thermometers, as the name implies, must touch the target to determine its
temperature. The bulb thermometer hanging outside, for instance, measures air
temperature by being in direct contact with the air. Bimetal thermometers and those
that use thermocouples and RTDs are all examples of contact thermometers.
Contact thermometers are inexpensive and accurate, making them the most
prevalent type of thermometer in temperature measurement.

Contact thermometers, however, have limitations. They often take time to “come up
to temperature” making them more suitable for fixed mounting to constantly monitor
temperature than for quick spot checking of temperature. Inadequate space,
distance, moving targets, or environmental conditions may also restrict their ability to
contact the medium. These situations are where infrared thermometers excel.

Examples of use
Some typical circumstances are where the object to be measured is moving; where the object is surrounded by
an electromagnetic 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, an accurate surface temperature is desired or
the object temperature is above the recommended use point for contact sensors, or contact with a sensor
would mar the object or the sensor, or introduce a significant temperature gradient on the object's surface.
Infrared thermometers can be used to serve a wide variety of temperature monitoring functions. A few
examples provided include detecting clouds for remote telescope operation, checking mechanical or electrical
equipment for temperature and hot spots, measuring the temperature of patients in a hospital without touching
them, checking heater or oven temperature, for calibration and control, checking for hot spots in fire-fighting,
monitoring materials in processes involving heating or cooling, and measuring temperature of volcanoes. At
times of epidemics of diseases causing fever, such as SARS coronavirus and Ebola virus disease, infrared
thermometers have been used to check arriving travellers for fever.[1][2][3]
There are many varieties of infrared temperature-sensing devices, both for portable and handheld use and as
fixed installations.

Infrared thermometers are highly versatile making them indispensable tools in the
technician’s toolbox. They can be employed anywhere at any time. Some common
applications include:

 Checking mechanical equipment for hot spots that may be a sign of

impending failure
 Inspecting electrical panels, circuit breakers and outlets for hot spots
 Checking heater or oven temperature, for calibration and control purposes
 Detecting hot spots / performing diagnostics in electrical circuit board
manufacturing
 Checking for hot spots in firefighting situations
 Monitoring materials in process of heating and cooling, for research and
development or manufacturing quality control situations
 Identifying hot/cool spots during home inspection to find drafts or to determine
if insulation is adequate
 Checking temperatures as part of auto maintenance

How Infrared Thermometers Work

Infrared radiation is one of many forms of electromagnetic energy and consists of

wavelengths of energy just longer than those of visible light. Infrared, like visible
light, infrared can be focused, reflected or absorbed.

All matter above absolute zero constantly emits infrared energy due to the natural
vibration of molecules. This vibration, and the corresponding infrared energy, is
proportional to the temperature of the matter—the warmer the matter, the more
vibration and the more infrared energy emitted.

Infrared thermometers use a lens to focus infrared energy emitted from an object
onto a detector, called a thermopile. The detector, in turn, converts that energy into
an electrical signal which, after compensating for the ambient temperature, is
displayed in units of temperature. Filtering and signal processing amplifies and
stabilizes the signal for more accurate and linear readings.
Specifications and Features of Infrared Thermometers

As with most instruments, infrared thermometers are available in a range of styles

with specifications suited to one’s budget and needs. Some of the most common
specifications and features include:

Emissivity: Emissivity refers to the ability of a material to emit thermal radiation. All
materials absorb, reflect and emit radiant energy. Certain materials, however, are
better at doing this than other materials. Emissivity, therefore, is the ratio of the
radiation emitted by a surface of a material to the radiation emitted by a blackbody,
both a perfect absorber and emitter of energy, at the same temperature. All radiation
absorbed by a blackbody will also be emitted by it. Blackbodies therefore have an
emissivity of 1.0. Dark materials with a rough surface generally have a high
emissivity. Asphalt for example has an emissivity of 0.90 meaning that it absorbs
and emits 90 percent of radiant thermal energy and reflects only 10 percent.

The bottom end of the emissivity scale would be the perfect reflector which reflects,
rather than absorbs, all radiation. The emissivity of this theoretical surface would be
0.0. Bright, glossy materials generally have a low emissivity. Aluminum foil, for
example, has a thermal emissivity value of 0.03, meaning it absorbs and emits only
3 percent of radiant thermal energy while reflecting 97 percent. Obtaining an
accurate measurement on low emissivity materials can be very challenging.

Although some basic models of infrared thermometers have fixed emissivity, many
have adjustable emissivity settings that can be determined by the user. Emissivity
tables provide standards for common materials allowing users to adjust settings for
models with such capability.

Distance-to-spot ratio: The distance to spot ratio, usually abbreviated as D:S,

refers to the size of the measurement area (spot) when the device is held at a
certain distance from the target. For instance, a unit with a 20:1 D:S ratio will
produce a 1” diameter measuring spot when held 20” from the target, or 2” spot
when held 40” away. This is important since the spot is an area over which
temperatures are averaged. If the actual target is very small, it is best to have a unit
with a higher ratio so as not to risk inaccurate measurements by including areas not
targeted in the measurement. Calculating the spot size using the D:S ratio may be
misleading for close focus units or those involving long distances

Spectral range: Infrared light consists of wavelengths from 0.7 to 1000 μm. Spectral
range refers to the specific range of wavelengths captured by an infrared
thermometer. Most infrared thermometers operate under 20 μm. This is due to both
cost efficiency as well as the negative effects on accuracy caused by the
atmosphere on longer wavelengths.
Laser sight: Laser sights are often found on infrared thermometers. Their only
function is to help aim the unit. The actual measurement area is larger than the red
dot.

Fixed vs handheld: Most imagers are handheld, making them ideal for spot
checking temperatures for maintenance, troubleshooting, or inspection. Some,
however, are designed to be fix mounted as part of a process application. There are
a wide range of outputs available to integrate into a control system.

Additionally, infrared thermometers can include a number of other such as

communications, data logging, ingress protection, and others.

Things to consider when selecting an infrared thermometer:

1. Should the unit be handheld or fixed?

2. What is the target size and distance?
3. What type of surface is being measured?
4. What is the required temperature range?
5. What is an acceptable level of accuracy?
6. What is the ambient environment?
7. Are data logging or communications needed?
8. What are the output requirements?

Accuracy
Infrared thermometers are characterised by specifications including accuracy and angular coverage. Simpler
instruments may have a measurement error of about ±2 °C or ±4 °F.
The distance-to-spot ratio (D:S) is the ratio of the distance to the measurement surface and the diameter of the
temperature measurement area. For instance, if the D:S ratio is 12:1, the diameter of the measurement area is
one-twelfth of the distance to the object. A thermometer with a higher ratio of D to S is able to sense a more-
specific, narrower surface at a greater distance than one with a lower ratio. A 12:1 rated device can sense a 1-
inch circle at a distance of one foot, whereas a 10:1 ratio device achieves the same 1 inch circle at 10 inches,
and a wider, less-specific circle of 1.2 inches at a distance of 12 inches. The ideal target area should be at least
twice the size of the spot at that distance,[4] with smaller areas relative to distance resulting in less accurate
measurement.[citation needed] An infrared thermometer cannot be placed too close to its target, or this proximity
causes heat to build up in the thermometer's housing and damages the sensor. Measurement error generally
only decreases with too much distance because of the effects of reflectivity and the inclusion of other heat
sources within the sensor's field of view.[5][6]
According to the Stefan–Boltzmann law, radiant power is proportional to the fourth power of temperature, so
when the measurement surface has both hot and cold areas, the indicated temperature may be higher than the
actual average temperature, and closer to fourth-power mean average.[7]
Most surfaces have high emissivity (over 0.9 for most biological surfaces)[citation needed], and most IR thermometers
rely on this simplifying assumption; however, reflective surfaces have lower emissivity than non-reflective
surfaces. Some sensors have an adjustable emissivity setting, which can be set to measure the temperature of
reflective and non-reflective surfaces. A non-adjustable thermometer may be used to measure the temperature
of a reflective surface by applying a non-reflective paint or tape, with some loss of accuracy.
A sensor with an adjustable emissivity setting can also be used to calibrate the sensor for a given surface, or to
measure the emissivity of a surface. When the temperature of a surface is accurately known (e.g. by measuring
with a contact thermometer), then the sensor's emissivity setting can be adjusted until the temperature
measurement by the IR method matches the measured temperature by the contact method; the emissivity
setting will indicate the emissivity of the surface, which can be taken into account for later measurements of
similar surfaces (only).