At Gem Scientific, you can shop a wide collection of effective and efficient infrared thermometers, with options to suit every requirement and application. But with so many options to choose from, and with devices built for different capabilities, it can be confusing trying to decide which infrared thermometer is right for your needs, or even what an infrared thermometer is capable of. This is why we have put together the Gem Scientific guide to infrared thermometers, which is here to help you with all the questions that you may have on this clever piece of equipment.

From what an infrared thermometer is, how it works to how to use it and which one to choose for your team, application or setting, we have all the information you could need in one place. So, explore our full infrared thermometer collection online now and compare your ideas to our handy guide to decide which is the best option for you.

What is an Infrared Thermometer?

Let’s start with the basics, like what an infrared thermometer exactly is? An infrared thermometer is a sensor that consists of a lens to focus the infrared (IR) energy on a detector. This converts the energy read to an electrical signal that can then be displayed in units of temperature after being compensated for ambient temperature variation. 

What is an Infrared Thermometer Used to Measure?

Infrared thermometers are used to measure temperature. They are an efficient choice for this data as they can facilitate temperature measurement from a distance. This means you can obtain accurate measurements without having to come into contact with the item or product being tested. This is also extremely useful in situations where thermocouples or other probe type sensors cannot obtain reliable or accurate data readings. 

However, to understand better what an infrared thermometer is, you need to understand how it works.

How Does an Infrared Thermometer Work and What Does it Do?

To grasp the concept of how an infrared thermometer work, you should know that it works based on a phenomenon known as black body radiation. This is the radiation produced by heated objects, which absorb visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, etc.

Absolutely anything that has a temperature above zero will have molecules inside of it which are moving around. The higher the temperature of the object, the faster the molecules inside, in turn, move around. As they are moving, these molecules let out infrared radiation, which is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is below the visible spectrum of light. As the molecules get hotter, they emit more infrared and then even start to emit visible light, which is why some heated metal may even start to glow as they reach higher temperatures. It is infrared thermometers that detect and measure this radiation into accurate readings.

How Does a Non-Contact Infrared Thermometer Work?

Non-contact infrared thermometers use a lens to focus infrared light, which works like visible light controlled and focused from one object onto a detector called a thermopile. This thermopile absorbs the infrared radiation and then turns this into heat, with the more infrared energy resulting in the hotter the thermopile gets. This heat then turns into electricity, and the electricity is sent to a detector to determine the temperature of whatever the thermometer is pointed at.

How to Get the Most Accurate Results

When using your infrared thermometer, we appreciate that you will want to ensure that you record the most accurate results possible. To ensure that you get the most accurate results using your infrared thermometer, we have put together a few simple tips to help you with quality control.

• Ensure that you know your IR thermometer's distance-to-spot ratio, and then get close enough to the target so that your thermometer only reads the area that you want it to measure.
• Be aware that steam or dust can affect the accuracy of IR thermometers.
• Keep the lens of your thermometer clean and free of any scratches which may interfere with results. 
• Make sure that you watch and compensate for shiny, "low emissivity" objects when measuring.
• For accurate results, allow time for your infrared thermometer to come to the temperature of its surroundings.

Choosing the Right Thermometer for Your Requirements

Now that you understand what an infrared thermometer is and how it works, you should now better understand what you are looking for and can begin your search feeling a little bit more informed. At Gem Scientific, we have a wide range of infrared thermometers available from some of the most renowned manufacturers in the industry, including ETI, so that you can rely on a selection from our impressive collection. Explore our full infrared thermometer range now.