Pyrometers

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Pyrometers
Pyrometers are ideal for taking accurate measurements of temperature without contact. Thanks to an optical mechanism, these pyrometers are safe for measuring high temperatures. Their infrared capabilities make them the perfect tool to use when conventional sensor are inadequate. This is in cases when the object is moving, is extremely hot, in a difficult place to access or due to contamination or other negative influences. A large variety of handheld pyrometers are listed in the links below. We are available to answer your queries about pyrometers and the best one to suit your needs. They can be calibrated to meet ISO standards, except the PCE-880 and PCE-888 pyrometers. If you don't find the pyrometers you are looking for, please contact us and we will help you find the best solution to suit your needs by calling our German offices: +49 (0)29 03 976 99-52; our Italian offices: +39 0583 975 114; or our Spanish offices: +34 967 543 548 and our technical staff will advise you regarding our products.

Technical specifications for our pyrometers can be found at the following links:

- PCE-880 series pyrometers

(non-contact device for the workplace or training and education)

- PCE-IR 100 series pyrometers
(for measuring surface temperature and interior space)

- PCE-888 series pyrometers
(with infrared and accurate to ±1.5%)

- PCE-889 series pyrometers
(graphic display, adjustable emissivity, <1000°C)

- PCE-JR 911 series pyrometers
(non-contact device with memory and RS-232 interface)

- PCE-890 series pyrometers

(infrared device for measuring temperature up to 1600ºC)

- PCE-IR 1800 series pyrometers
(infrared device for measuring temperature up to 1800°C (metals and ceramics))

- PCE-IR10 series pyrometers
(digital infrared device with LCD for time duration measurements of surfaces)

Pyrometers with adjustable K value (emissivity) can be used for measuring the temperature of different materials. Here you will find a table with K values for a diverse range of materials (the table can also be seen lower down this page). All pyrometers are shipped calibrated. An optional ISO calibration certificate (laboratory calibration and certificate) can be acquired for all devices, except for the PCE-880 and PCE-888 pyrometers. Below are some images of pyrometers being used. Contact us if you have any questions: our German offices: +49 (0)29 03 976 99-52; our Italian offices: +39 0583 975 114; or our Spanish offices: +34 967 543 548.

Pyrometers: used in the food industry

Pyrometers: in the automotive sector

Pyrometers: measuring a fuse box

Pyrometers for measuring
frozen goods

Measuring a car motor

Pyrometers for testing fuse boxes

Here you can see some images of pyrometers in use: areas of use for pyrometers. The relationship between the diameter of the measurement point and the distance of measurement (ratio) is alwasys shown on the pyrometer in this way, 8:1, 12:1 or 35:1. The diameter of the measurement point increases when the distance from the pyrometer to the object being measured increases. This means that the measurement point can increase at long distances up to a diameter of 25cm. The graphic that can be seen below also shows this relationship. These pyrometers have, at a short distance, a much more moderate measurement point diameter, for example, at a distance of 30cm the measurement point would be 6mm. Such pyrometers are used for measuring temperature of small areas at short distances.

Example of a surface being measured with a ratio of distance to size of measurement point of 50 : 1

Emissivity depends on the wave length of what is being measured. Please read the user's manual carefully to know the wave length measured by the device you are using.
Note: The values shown below depend on the actual state of the material and the measurement conditions.

Metallic materials (table with K values)

Material	Emissivity
	1.0 µm	1.6 µm	8 - 14 µm
Aluminium
unoxidised	0.1 - 0,2	0.02 - 0.2	n/a
oxidised	0.4	0.4	0.2 - 0.4
A3003 alloy,
oxidised	n/a	0.4	0.3
rough	0.2 - 0.8	0.2 - 0.6	0.1 - 0.3
polished	0.1 - 0.2	0.02 - 0.1	n/a
Lead
polished	0.35	0.05 - 0.2	n/a
rough	0.65	0.6	0.4
oxidised	n/a	0.3 - 0.7	0.2 - 0.6
Chrome	0.4	0.4	n/a
Iron
oxidised	0.4 - 0.8	0.5 - 0.9	0.5 - 0.9
unoxidised	0.35	0.1 - 0.3	n/a
rusty	n/a	0.6 - 0.9	0.5 - 0.7
molten	0.35	0.4 - 0.6	n/a
Iron, cast
oxidised	0.7 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.9	0.6 - 0.95
unoxidised	0.35	0.3	0.2
molten	0.35	0.3 - 0.4	0.2 - 0.3
Iron, forged
uncut	0.9	0.9	0.9
Gold	0.3	0.01 - 0.1	n/a
Haynes
alloy	0.5 - 0.9	0.6 - 0.9	0.3 - 0.8
Inconel
oxidised	0.4 - 0.9	0.6 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.95
sand blasted	0.3 - 0.4	0.3 - 0.6	0.3 - 0.6
electrically polished	0.2 - 0.5	0.25	0.15
Copper
polished	n/a	0.03	n/a
alloy	n/a	0.05 - 0.2	n/a
oxidised	0.2 - 0.8	0.2 - 0.9	0.4 - 0.8
Magnesium	0.3 - 0.8	0.05 - 0.3	n/a
Bronze
polished	0.8 - 0.95	0.01 - 0.05	n/a
highly polished	n/a	n/a	0.3
oxidised	0.6	0.6	0.5
Molybdenum
oxidised	0.5 - 0.9	0.4 - 0.9	0.2 - 0.6
unoxidised	0.25 - 0.35	0.1 - 0.35
Nickel
oxidised	0.8 - 0.9	0.4 - 0.7	0.2 - 0.5
electrolytic	0.2 - 0.04	0.1 - 0.3	n/a
Platinum
black	n/a	0.95	0.9
Mercury	n/a	0.05 - 0.15	n/a
Silver	n/a	0.02	n/a
Steel
cold-rolled	0.8 - 0.9	0.8 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.9
rough	n/a	n/a	0.4 - 0.6
polished	0.35	0.25	0.1
molten	0.35	0.25 - 0.4	n/a
oxidised	0.8 - 0.9	0.8 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.9
stainless	0.35	0.2 - 0.9	0.1 - 0.8
Titanium
polished	0.5 - 0.75	0.3 - 0.5	n/a
oxidised	n/a	0.6 - 0.8	0.5 - 0.6
Tungsten	n/a	0.1 - 0.6	n/a
polished	0.35 - 0.4	0.1 - 0.3	n/a
Zinc
oxidised	0.6	0.15	0.1
polished	0.5	0.05	n/a
Tin (unoxidised)	0.25	0.1 - 0.3	n/a

n/a = not available

Non-metallic materials

Material	Emission
	1.0 µm	5.0 µm	7.9 µm	8 - 14 µm
Asbestos	0.9	0.9	0.95	0.95
Asphalt	n/a	0.9	0.95	0.95
Basalt	n/a	0.7	0.7	0.7
Concrete	0.65	0.9	0.95	0.95
Ice	n/a	——	0.98	0.98
Earth	n/a	0.9 - 0.98	0.9 - 0.98
Paint (non alkaline)	——	0.9 - 0.95	0.9 - 0.95
Gypsum	n/a	0.4 - 0.97	0.8 - 0.95	0.8 - 0.95
Glass
plate	n/a	0.98	0.85	0.85
cast	n/a	0.9	n/a	n/a
Rubber	n/a	0.9	0.95	0.95
Wood (natural)	n/a	0.9 - 0.95	0.9 - 0.95	0.9 - 0.95
Calcium carbonate	n/a	0.4 - 0.98	0.98	0.98
Carborundum	n/a	0.9	0.9	0.9
Ceramic	0.4	0.85 - 0.95	0.95	0.95
Gravel	n/a	0.95	0.95	0.95
Carbon
non corroding	0.8 - 0.95	0.8 - 0.9	0.8 - 0.9	0.8 - 0.9
graphite	0.8 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.9	0.7 - 0.8	0.7 - 0.8
Paper (coloured)	n/a	0.95	0.95	0.95
Plastic
non translucent	n/a	0.95	0.95	0.95
Fabric	n/a	0.95	0.95	0.95
Sand	n/a	0.9	0.9	0.9
Snow	n/a	——	0.9	0.9
Clay	n/a	0.85 - 0.95	0.95	0.95
Water	n/a	——	0.93	0.93
n/a = not available

General information about the principal function of pyrometers: Infrared radiation is an element of solar light that can be seen when light is defracted through a prism. This radiation contains energy. At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of scientists consisting of Planck, Stefan, Boltzmann, Wien and Kirchhoff defined the activity of the elecromagnetic spectrum and they established equations describing infrared energy.
This allows the energy to be defined for pyrometers taking into account the emissivity curves for dark objects. Objects with a temperature higher than absolute zero radiate energy. The amount of energy increases in proportion to the fourth magnitude.
This concept is the foundation for pyrometers. With emissivity there is also a variable that takes into account average temperature, and this can vary. The emissivity factor is a measurement for the relationship of radiation that a grey object and a black object emit at the same temperature. Pyrometers are produced in many configrations that differ in optics, electronics, technology, size and shape. All pyrometers have one thing in common: Todos los pirómetros tienen algo en común: the channel for signal processing. It starts with an IR signal, and ends with an electronic output signal.

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