Infrared Thermometers FAQs

time2011/03/09

?1. How do infrared (IR)?thermometer work?

??? All objects emit infrared energy. The hotter an object is, the more active its molecules are, and the more infrared energy it emits. An infrared (IR)?thermometer houses optics that collect the radiant infrared energy from the object and focus it onto a detector. The detector converts the energy into an electrical signal, which is amplified and displayed.

?

2. What response time can I expect from an infrared (IR)?thermometer ?

??? The response time of infrared(IR)?thermometer is faster than most thermometers; approximately 0.5 second.

?

3. What is the maximum distance I can make measurements from the target?

??? This is a function of the optics in your thermometer. Use the distance-to-size ratio and the diameter of your target to determine the maximum distance you can be from the target. Most infrared (IR)?thermometer have a maximum measuring distance of approximately 100 feet (30 meters), depending on atmospheric conditions.

?

4. What is spectral range? Why is it important?

??? The infrared spectral range is 0.7 to 1000 μm, the range for wavelength in which infrared radiation is transmitted. For cost reasons, IR thermometers generally operate under 20 μm. Most of the IR thermometers that we carry have a spectral response of 8-20 μm. This range is used because it is minimally effected by CO2 and H2O in the atmosphere. With longer, lower-energy wavelengths, the accuracy decreases with increased distances due to the affects of the atmosphere (humidity).

?

?

?

?