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How Does Temperature Gun Work?
Vikas
Shukla
engineeringinsider.org
When you
think about a thermometer, you probably picture a device with some kind of
probe that is placed into the object being measured.
Whether
it is a thermometer that you place under your tongue to take your own temperature, or
a food thermometer that you push into a piece of meat to make sure it is done,
probe-style thermometers have long been a standard.
However,
there are plenty of other options on the market today, and infrared
thermometers are among the most exciting and useful styles to consider.
Offering
ease of use and accurate readings, there is a lot to like about an infrared
option.
An
infrared thermometer commonly called temperature gun these days, may be called
for anytime the surface temperature of an object needs to be determined.
Obviously,
since the infrared beam is only bouncing off of the surface, this is not a
suitable method of measurement when the interior temperature of an object needs
to be found.
There are
nearly countless applications, and this technology is already used in a wide
range of industries.
Checking
the level of heat coming from a piece of equipment, for instance, is a good way
to check for trouble that may be occurring on the inside.
If the
equipment is hotter than it should be on the surface, there is a good chance
that something is going wrong internally.
Considering
how many various infrared thermometer models are available today, and how
accurate they have become, it is easy to see why they are a popular choice in a
number of industries.
A SIMPLE PRINCIPLE
While the
technology that makes these thermometers work is certainly complex, the concept
itself is rather simple.
Everything
that has mass emits some amount of energy, and that energy is emitted in the
form of heat.
Since
there is heat being emitted by any object, an infrared thermometer can use the
difference between the IR rays coming off of the object and the surrounding
environment to determine the surface temperature of the object itself.
The IR
thermometer works by focusing light that is coming from the object in the form
of IR rays and funneling that light into a detector – which is also known as a
thermopile.
It is in
the thermopile that the IR radiation is turned into heat which is then
turned to electricity, which is then measured.
It is
ultimately the amount of electricity that is generated by the rays being put
out by the object in question that will provide a reading that is displayed on
the thermometer.
The
reading will be generated in a manner of seconds, meaning an infrared
thermometer is a quick way to gather a temperature reading in a number of
different scenarios.
WHY INFRARED?
There are
a number of reasons why you should consider choosing infrared technology for
your temperature reading needs.
When
shopping for a thermometer to add to your stable of equipment, consider
purchasing a quality infrared thermometer for some of the following reasons.
1. Accuracy. Obviously, you need to be confident that you
are getting an accurate reading from your thermometer when you put it to use,
and infrared models have a great reputation for accuracy. The technology used
in these products is simple yet advanced, and you should be able to rely on the
information that you receive – provided that the thermometer is used in the
right way.
2. Safety. One of the great things about being able to
check on temperature remotely is that you don’t actually need to touch the
object in question.
If you are trying to take
the temperature of a particularly hot item, you won’t need to place your hand,
or even another piece of equipment, onto the hot surface.
Just by aiming your IR
thermometer at the object you wish to measure, you can get all of the
information you need without putting yourself at risk.
3. Contamination prevention. Another benefit to the remote
measuring system is avoidance of contamination.
This is particularly
important within the food service world, but it applies in other
applications as well.
Since you don’t need to
touch the item that you are measure, you won’t need to worry about
contaminating that product with the probe of a thermometer.
Rather than having to
make sure that all of your temperature measuring equipment is properly
sterilized prior to each use, you can simply point the IR gun at the item being
measured and forget any worries about contamination problems.
4. Durability. You want an Infrared Thermometer that is
tough enough to stand up to the demands of the jobsite, workshop or just being
bounced around in your toolbox.
There are certainly more
than three advantages to using infrared, but the three listed above are some of
the most important.
Additionally, the cost of
this technology has come down in recent years, meaning you can access this
great method of temperature measurement for a significantly lower cost than it
would have required just a few short years ago.
GETTING IN RANGE
It is
important to pick an infrared thermometer that is rated to measure items within
the temperature range that will be applicable to your uses.
Every IR
unit on the market today is rated for a specific range of temperatures, and it
will not be accurate if you are trying to measure items that fall outside of
that range.
Therefore,
before picking out an infrared thermometer, you are going to need to think
carefully about what you will be measuring and the expected temperature ranges
for those items.
As an
example, you may find one unit that is capable of measuring temperatures from
as low as -40F all the way up to 428F while another unit ranges from -4F all
the way up to 626F.
Most
units will be suitable for covering moderate temperatures, but you need to
carefully check the specs on any infrared thermometer that is being purchased
for the purpose of measuring extremely cold or extremely hot items.
DISTANCE-TO-SPOT RATIO
Another
important element of IR thermometers is the distance-to-spot ratio that they
offer.
Commonly
available ratios include 4:1, 8:1, 30:1, and even 50:1.
What does
the distance-to-spot ratio mean?
It refers
to the distance you can be from the object that is being measured while still
receiving an accurate reading.
So, the
bigger the ratio, the farther away you can stand from the target object while
still getting a good reading.
For
example, with a 30:1 ratio you can be standing 30 inches away from your target
and still accurately measure an area of 1 square inch.
To
measure that same area with an 8:1, you would need to be standing 8 inches
away.
Higher
distance-to-spot ratios are usually found on models with very high temperature
ranges, allowing you stand a safer distance away from the heat source.
Naturally,
this is another element that needs to be factored in when you are picking out
an IR thermometer model.
Are you
going to be right next to the objects that you are measuring, or will you need
to keep your distance for safety reasons?
If you
are going to be back a significant distance, make sure the model you pick out
is capable of remaining accurate thanks to a large distance-to-spot ratio.
Although
infrared thermometers are limited to taking surface temperature readings, they
remain a valuable tool that is used by professionals in a variety of
industries.
When you
are picking out your own IR unit, be sure to pay close attention to both the distance-to-spot
ratio, as well as the temperature range that is offered by that model.
Once you
do receive your thermometer, read all of the instructions carefully and use the
unit in accordance to the manufacturer’s recommendations in order to get the
most accurate readings possible.
While not
the perfect tool for every temperature measuring job, there is a good chance
you will find plenty of occasions to put an IR thermometer to work for you.
Does Temperature Gun Give Accurate
Temperature?
Research has shown that, when
used correctly, infrared or no-contact thermometers (temperature gun) are just
as accurate as oral or rectal thermometers.
No-contact thermometers are
popular among pediatricians, as kids often squirm around when trying to get a
temperature read, but it also holds true in mass temperature screenings.
The device offers safety to both
parties while providing a quick and accurate read.
Of
course, when available, an internal thermometer is the gold standard in
healthcare.
But
due to COVID-19 and the need to quickly mass test, a no-contact thermometer has
become the standard.
The operator needs to follow the
device’s protocol and it won’t pick up a fever on someone who has taken
fever-reducing medication.
But with many establishments now
requiring temperature checks, these hand-held thermometers are proving to be
safe, quick and accurate while helping to reduce the spread of coronavirus.
https://engineeringinsider.org/how-does-temperature-gun-work-is-the-reading-accurate/
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