Measuring Instruments/
Test Equipment

Infrared thermometers
Here you will find infrared thermometers for measuring temperature without contact. Our infrared thermometers makes possible a temperature measurement without contact by way of determining an objects emitted infrared radiation. All infrared thermometers (non-contact) contain a targeting light to ensure the correct surface area is being measured. Infrared thermometers can only measure the temperature of exposed surfaces and not through glass. Some models possess a preset emissivity value, and others allow the user to choose the emissivity value depending on the surface material being measured, whether it's paper, wood, metallic surfaces, etc. If the user measures shiney metallic surfaces, such as cylinders, the device can only be used to determine tendencies in temperature as it's no possible to measure absolute temperature with a non-contact thermometer of polished or shiney surfaces. Please read: how to use an infrared thermometer. If you find yourself in the situation that you can't measure the surface temperature of a particular material, have a look at our contact thermometers. If you don't find the infrared thermometers you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you find the best solution to suit your needs by calling our offices on: +44 ( 0 ) 191 377 3398 and our technical staff will advise you regarding our products.
 
Technical specifications for infrared thermometers can be found at the following links:

- PCE-880 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers for work or training, with infrared)

- PCE-FIT 10 series thermometers
  (Body-Modus (body temperature) 32 ... 42,5 °C, Surface-Modus (surface temperature) 0 ... 60 ºC)

- PCE-IR 100 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers to measure surface temperature or inside food)

- PCE-888 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers with laser and accurate to within 11.5%)

- MS-Pro series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers with range from -32 ºC to 760 ºC, type K sensor and software)

- MS-Plus series infrared thermometers
  (intelligent infrared thermometers with an accurate optical component)

- PCE-889 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers <1.000C, graphic display, adjustable emissivity)

- PCE-891 / 892 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers <2.200C, graphic display, USB connection)

- PCE-IR 425 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers <1.000C, graphic display, adjustable emissivity, different materials)

- LS-PLUS infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers with a wide range of temperature from - 35°C to 900°C)

- PCE-JR 911 series infrared thermometers
  (non-contact thermometer with internal memory and RS-232 interface)

- PCE-IR 1800 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers to measure temperatures in metals or ceramics up to 1800ºC)

- PCE-IR10 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers for the continuous measurement of surface temperature, with LCD)

- PCE-IC1 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers for infrared temperature to accurately test infrared devices up to 350°C)

- PCE-TC series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers -10 to 300ºC, 16 x 16 pixels, economical, with PDA to display images)

- PCE-TC 3 series infrared thermometers 
  (infrared thermometers from -10 to 250°C, 160 x 120 pixels, with SD memory card and software)

- PCE-TC 4 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers from 50 to 900°C, 160 x 120 pixels, for high temperatures, with software)

- PCE-TC 6 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers from -10 to 250°C, 160 x 120 pixels, wide range with telephoto lens)

- PCE-ITC 1 series infrared thermometers
  (infrared thermometers from -10 to 300ºC, compact design, high funcionality and software)

Infrared thermometers with adjustable emissivity can be used to measure the surface temperature of different materials. Here is a table of emissivity values for various materials. All thermometers are shipped precalibrated, however, and optional ISO calibration certificate is available, which includes a laboratory calibration, for all our thermometers excluding the PCE-880 infrared thermometer. If you don't find the infrared thermometers you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you find the best solution to suit your needs by calling our offices on: +44 ( 0 ) 191 377 3398.

These infrared thermometers are a profession tool for non-contact measurement of surface temperature. Some specific characteristics of infrared thermometers are that their laser pointer is especially clear, they have a wide temperature range and adjustable emissivity. Due to a good optical resolution, a ratio of 50:1 allows for accurate measurement of the surface temperature of objects at long range with a measurement point of 6mm at 30cm distance. It must be taken into account that the measurement point and the distance from the object are related, in that the measurement point increases in size as the distance from the object becomes greater resulting in a larger surface area being measured. The image below illustrates this concept and shows the correct use of an infrared thermometer. At a distance of 2.4m the diameter of the measuring point is only 48mm

The laser, which is an additional component of the infrared thermometer, is used to indicate the place where temperature is being measured. There are infrared thermometers provided with double laser beam that accurately show the measured point. However, the infrared sensor is in charge to capture temperature. Measurement point increases in relation to the distance (as we can see in the upper image). Depending on the infrared thermometer lens the measuring point will be greater or smaller, it also will depend on the relation between distance and measuring point. For instance, a 50:1 lens indicates that within distance of 50 cm the measuring point will be, at 100 cm the point will be 2 , etc...  

What is a laser?

A laser is a mechanism for emitting electromagnetic radiation, typically light or visible light, via the process of stimulated emission. Although laser could be compared with a great lantern, light from laser would be different in four main points:

1. Laser light is intense. However, only certain lasers are powerful. Intensity is a power measurement per unit area, and even lasers that emit only a few Milliwats can produce a high intensity beam of a millimeter in diameter. In fact, its intensity can be equal to sunlight. Any lamp emits more light than a small laser but this light is scattered throughout the room. Some lasers can continuously produce many thousands of watts, others are able to produce billions of watts in a pulse with a short duration.  

2. Laser beams are narrow and are not dispersed as the other light beams. This quality is called directivity. It is known that even light from a powerful focus cannot go too far: if you focus to the sky, light beams seem to fade away very fast. Light beam starts to be spreaded at the moment in which it comes out of the focus up to achieve a such dispersion degree that looses its usefulness. However, it has been possible to reflect laser beams with few power watts on the moon at its light was bright enough to be seen from the Earth. One of the first laser beams fired against the moon in 1962 only 4 kilometers could disperse on the lunar surface. It is not bad if it is considered that it has been moved four hundred thousand kilometers

3. Laser light is coherent. It means that all light waves from a laser are neatly coupled together. An ordinary light, as the one from a bulb, generates light waves which start at different moments and move themselves in different directions. Something similar happens when a handful of small stones are thrown to a lake, then small splashes and some ondulations are produced. But, if these little stones are thrown one by one at a regular frequency and at the same place, a greater wave can be generated. Laser works in this way, and this special characteristic may have diverse utilities. In other words, a bulb or a lamp are like guns, while a laser will be like a machine gun.

4. Laser light is monochromatic (only one color). Common light has all colors contained in visible light (that is, the spectrum) which become which when they are combined. Laser light has been produced in all colors of the rainbow (however, the most common is red), as well in many light visible types. A laser can only issue exclusively a color. There are tunable lasers which can be adjusted to produce diverse colors, but even these ones cannot emit more than only one color. Certain lasers can emit several monochromatic frequencies at the same time, but not a continuous spectrum containing all colors of visible light. There are also several lasers which emit visible light like the infrared and the ultraviolet light.

1. Lasers are coherent and specific, that is, laser beams photons are unidirectional with the energy focused on a very small spot. This is similar to the way solar energy is focused by a lens.

2. Lasers are parallel. Light are not dispersed in a laser like in a lantern are.

1. Never point the laser beam to a person’s eyes.

2. Do not directly look to the laser beam. Laser beams can be dangerous for humans’ eyes.

3. Be aware of reflective surfaces, such as glasses, mirrors or polished metals. A reflected laser bean can also be dangerous to humans’ eyes.

4. Use the laser in a controlled environment only. For instance, do not point the laser beam through a window.

5. If you decide to let your laser to a friend, make sure he is fully aware about its dangers.

6. Lasers can move to several kilometres.

7. Wear protective glasses when working with lasers.

If you meet these guidelines, you can enjoy and use high power lasers safely.  

Owing to the cautions to be taken when laser products are used, exposure to laser radiations should always be the shortest as possible. 3 class and higher lasers must be used by experienced personnel with a proper training. It is considered that:

1. Laser products cannot be used for playing, so they cannot be presented as a toy. It should be avoided to be shown with children’s product.  

2. Laser pointers, in any form of presentation (class 3 or higher) cannot be marketed or distributed free of charge, except for those created for specific professional use, so it should be clearly indicated in their labeling. It is not considered professional use those used to help in conferences.

3. Laser pointers should have the necessary information at least in the official State language, clearly legible by the customers.

The applications of use of infrared thermometers is quite extensive. They are frequently used in industrial processes, the professional sector and in particular to monitor mains supply units or to measure the temperature of components in motors or machines. The photos below show infrared thermometers being used to measure temperature.

Another application for these infrared thermometers is in the detection of patients infected with SARS. In many states in Europe, Asia and North America are using thermometers such as the the compact PCE-TC 3 infrared camera, as it's ideal for detecting temperature with great accuracy. Images of other applications for infrared thermometers can be seen here: Applications of use of infrared thermometers.

If you wish to view or print a selection of Infrared Thermometers from our catalogue, click the PDF symbol.