During covid19, pandemic infrared forehead thermometers have become very popular. They are being used to take the temperature at public places like offices, shops, malls hotels, etc. jumper forehead thermometers serve a large number of temperature monitoring functions:
What’s Infrared Thermometer Used for in the Industry
- Detecting clouds for remote operations
- Checking electrical and mechanical equipment for hot spots or temperature
- Checking heater/ oven temperature in the kitchen
- For calibration as well as control
- Check for hotspots in fire-fighting
- They don’t have to be sterilized after every use
- Measuring volcano temperature
- Widely used in electricity production unit to detect faulty terminations in high electric circuits, to check to overload, to detect problems in switchgear, etc
- In the electronic industry, it is used to identify hotspots
- In vessels, it is used to detect leaks
- In insulation processes, it is used to determine the fault
- While temperature is in the process to capture the reading
Handheld Thermometers- ‘To-Go’ Tool
The great advantage of this is that it can be used from a distance, quickly without touching the object. They are extremely easy to use.
- Distance to Spot Ratio
Measure only the target area
But with all these advantages there is a significant disadvantage, if it is not properly used then it can give wrong results. And this false result negates the very purpose of taking temperature. The user has to be aware of the right ways of using it for accurate results.
Accuracy and angular coverage are critical in this equipment. Otherwise, it may give a false reading. Ordinary instruments might have a measurement error of about +/- 2degree C or +/-4degree F. Sometimes, a measurement error occurs due to the distance to of the object. The distance to spot ratio, which is called (D:S) is the ratio of the distance to the measurement surface and the diameter of the surface measurement area. For example, if the distance to spot ratio is 12:1, the diameter of the measurement area is 1/12th of the distance of the object. The ideal target area should be at least twice the size of the spot at a distance, with smaller regions relative to the distance results in less accurate measurement. Distance also varies in less expensive and expensive cameras; it is, therefore, advisable to check the label before using it.
- Laser Only a Pointer
Don’t get confused by the red beam
The thermometer uses the laser to pinpoint the center of the area to be measured. The function of the laser is only to point the center and has no role in measuring the temperature. And it should be clear that the area of which the thermometer is measuring temperature is always more expansive than the lighted area of the laser beam.
- Watch Out For Reflections
What all can affect the accuracy of the jumper forehead thermometer
Most of the time, these thermometers measure the temperature accurately, but sometimes the accuracy is affected by shiny metal objects and glossy paints. Some cello tape can be used in the shiny area, so the temperature is accurate.
- Obscured Optics?
Make sure the tool’s ability is not impaired.
Multiple reasons can affect the accuracy of your Infrared thermometer. Say for example, if there’s presence of steam or dust in between the thermometer and the target, that can cause deflection of IR energy before even reaching the thermometer. Other times, even a dirty or scratched lens on your IR might impede its ability to see the IR energy that is needed to make an accurate measurement. Similarly, the lens can also be fogged if brought into a warmer room from a colder environment.
- EXPOSED TO TEMPERATURE SHOCK
Be careful while you change surroundings
To gain the highest amount of accuracy in measurement, ‘temperature shock’ to the infrared thermometer should be avoided entirely. It’s best to let it have a gap of a minimum of 20 mins when brought into a sudden change in surroundings. For example,when moved to colder or warmer surroundings from where it was initially stored.
Noncontact infrared forehead thermometers offer a right combination of accuracy, convenience as well as speed only when they are used correctly.
To Sum It All Up
Few Things to Remember To Get Most Accurate Results:
- Distance to Spot Ratio- so that the thermometer only measures the area that you want to measure. It also helps you to calculate the target area.
- Keep an Eye Out Fot ‘Low Emissivity’ Objects- avoid shiny objects
- Watch Out For Steam and Dust- as they affect the accuracy of measurement
- Scratch Free Lens- make sure that the lens is both scratch free and clean
- Give ‘Breathing’ Time- Let the thermometer adapt to change in surroundings by giving it sometime once the locations are changed from that of storage, and it is exposed to the outside surroundings.
Post this, you seem all prepared to use this highly advantageous and convenient to use noncontact infrared forehead thermometer.
