Infrared principle and product knowledge
Learn more about infrared and infrared thermometer products to better understand the principles and benefits of non-contact measurement.
How infrared thermometer works
- Infrared thermometer consists of optical system, photodetector, signal amplifier and signal processing, display output and other components. The optical system converges the target infrared radiation energy in its field of view. The infrared energy is focused on the photodetector and converted into a corresponding electrical signal, which is then converted into a temperature value of the measured object.
Benefits of using an infrared thermometer
- Convenient! Infrared thermometers provide fast temperature measurement. With a thermocouple reading a leaky connection point, the temperature of all connection points can be read with an infrared thermometer. In addition, because the infrared thermometer is solid and lightweight (both lighter than 10 ounces), it is easy to put in the holster when not in use. So you can carry it when you are in the factory inspection and daily inspection work.
- Precise! Another advancement of infrared thermometers is accuracy, usually with an accuracy of less than 1 degree. This performance is especially important when you are doing preventive maintenance, such as monitoring for harsh production conditions and special events that can cause equipment damage or downtime. Because most equipment and plants operate for 365 days, downtime is equivalent to reducing revenue. To prevent such losses, scan all on-site electronics - breakers, transformers, fuses, switches, buses and switchboards to find hot spots. With an infrared thermometer, you can even quickly detect small changes in operating temperature, solve problems at the time of their germination, and reduce the cost and maintenance of equipment failures.
Safety! Safety is the most important benefit of using an infrared thermometer. Unlike contact thermometers, infrared thermometers can safely read inaccessible or unreachable target temperatures, and you can read target temperatures within the range allowed by the instrument. Non-contact temperature measurements can also be performed in areas that are unsafe or exposed to difficult temperatures, such as near steam valves or furnaces, where they do not need to burn their fingers when they are exposed to temperature. Accurate measurements of the supply/return vent temperature above 25 feet above the head are as easy as measuring at hand. Raytek infrared thermometers have laser aiming for easy identification of the target area. With it, your work has become much easier.
Where are the main areas of infrared thermometers used?
- Infrared thermometers have proven to be an effective tool for detecting and diagnosing electronic equipment failures. It can save a lot of money. With the infrared thermometer, you can continuously diagnose the electronic connection problem and check the function status of the uninterruptible power supply (UPS) by finding the hot spot at the output filter connection on the DC battery. You can check the battery. Components and power distribution panel terminals, switch gears or fuse connections to prevent energy consumption; infrared sensors help identify insulation faults in loop breakers or monitor electronic compressors; everyday due to the heat generated by loose connectors and combinations; The hot spot of the scanning transformer detects cracked windings and terminals.
How to measure temperature with infrared thermometer
- The following are three temperature measurement techniques for Raytek non-contact thermometers:
Point measurement: measure the entire surface temperature of an object, like an engine or other device
Temperature difference measurement: compare the measured temperature of two independent points, like a connector or circuit breaker
Scan measurement: Detects target changes in a wide area or in a continuous area. Like a refrigeration line or a power distribution room.
Main considerations for choosing an infrared thermometer
- Temperature Range: Raytek's temperature range is -50 to 3000 degrees (segmentation), and each type of thermometer has its own temperature range. The temperature range of the selected instrument should match the temperature range for the specific application.
- Target size: When measuring temperature, the target to be measured should be larger than the field of view of the thermometer, otherwise the measurement has errors. It is recommended that the measured target size exceeds 50% of the field of view of the thermometer.
- Optical resolution (D: S): The ratio of the probe to the target diameter. If the thermometer is away from the target and the target is small, a high-resolution thermometer should be selected.
Accurate temperature measurement
- When measuring the surface temperature of a luminescent object, such as aluminum and stainless steel, the reflection of the surface will affect the reading of the infrared thermometer. Before reading the temperature, a strip can be placed on the metal surface. After the temperature is balanced, the temperature of the strip area is measured.
In order for the infrared thermometer to provide accurate temperature measurement from the kitchen to the refrigerated area, it is necessary to measure the temperature after a period of time in the new environment. It is best to place the thermometer in a place that is frequently used.
The internal temperature of the fluid food, such as soup or sauce, is read with an infrared thermometer and must be agitated before the surface temperature can be measured. Keep the thermometer away from steam to avoid contaminating the lens, resulting in incorrect readings.