Handheld Infrared Thermometer Disadvantages
IR thermometers only measure surface temperature and do not measure through glass, liquids or other transparent surfaces. They also may require adjustments depending upon the surface being measured especially if it is a highly reflective surface. IR thermometers can be temporarily affected by frost, moisture, dust, fog, smoke, other particles in the air, rapid changes in ambient temperature and proximity to a radio frequency with an electromagnetic field strength of three volts per meter or greater.
The response time (detection to display) of an IR thermometer is typically about one-half second. Maximum measuring distance is determined by the quality of the internal optics and atmospheric conditions. A handheld IR thermometer can only measure the surface temperature of an object and not the internal temperature. Because the maximum measuring range and accuracy can be affected by atmospheric conditions (water vapor or carbon dioxide) the maximum range is generally limited to approximately 100 feet
The thermopile absorbs the infrared radiation and turns it into heat. The more infrared energy, the hotter the thermopile gets. This heat is turned into electricity. The electricity is sent to a detector, which uses it to determine the temperature of whatever the thermometer is pointed at. The more electricity, the hotter the object is. They are even used in manufacturing. Infrared thermometers can help control the machines that put together delicate, temperature sensitive products like electronics to make sure the components are not accidentally damaged.
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.
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.