When most people hear the word "thermometer," they think of being sick with a fever and holding a mercury-filled glass tube in their mouth. However, the only thing the infrared thermometer has in common with its mercury-filled predecessor is that they both display temperatures.

Infrared Technology

An infrared, or IR, thermometer uses infrared energy to identify temperatures. Since it only detects the energy level, it doesn't need to touch the surface of the analyzed object for an accurate reading.

How It Works

The IR thermometer works by focusing infrared heat onto a sensor. This sensor then interprets the infrared energy and converts it into temperature units. The reading is based on an analysis of the surrounding ambient temperature and calculating the difference in energy.

Configuration

IR thermometers are considerably larger than mercury thermometers and are typically in a pistol shape for ease of use. Sometimes laser pointers are attached to provide pinpoint accuracy. A digital readout displays the temperature readings.

Thermal Imaging

IR thermometers aren't always as simple as a small readout. Some are actually a form of thermal camera, which displays heat into a color-coded picture.

Applications

IR thermometers are used in a variety of fields, including law enforcement, game hunting, military application and even household use. They are often used to calibrate heating devices like ovens and furnaces and to find temperature differences in hard-to-reach areas. They can also be used to find hot spots in electrical wiring.

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Infrared Thermometers

All QA Products: About InfraRed Thermometers

Omega Engineering Technical Reference