learn about thermography


What is thermography/ a thermographer/ applications of thermography?

What does a thermogram look like? (Gallery)

What is an infrared thermometer?
An infrared radiometer (sensor) provides a remote temperature measurement of an object without touching it.  The sensor measures the amount of infrared energy emitted from an object and converts this to a digital temperature readout.

Can the object being measured be moving?
Yes.  Measuring moving targets is one of the benefits of using non-contact infrared thermometry.

How close do I have to be to an object to take its temperature?
Distance does not effect the measurement.  However, infrared instruments measure the energy from a circular spot on the target, and the size of that spot is a function of the distance between the sensor and the target. The farther away from the target the sensor is, the larger the spot.  Consequently, distance is limited by the size of the object and the distance to the object you want to measure.

Does color effect infrared measurement?
No.  However, a different surface characteristic, called emissivity, does.   Emissivity is a function of both the type of material you are measuring and its surface finish.  This is primarily a concern for metallic materials.  Most sensors can be adjusted by simply pushing a button or changing settings on a computer screen of the known emissivity.

Can infrared instruments measure water or ice?
Yes, as mentioned above, and object warmer than absolute zero emits energy.

Will infrared instruments measure air?
No.  An infrared thermometer needs a surface to measure.  In fact, all infrared instruments are specifically designed so that the air between the sensor and the target does not effect measurement.

Some of the radiometers use lasers.  Do they take temperature readings? Are they dangerous?
No on both questions.  Lasers are used only for aiming or sighting.  The lasers are low voltage units and are not dangerous.  Note, however, that all lasers have government-regulated labels on them stating power ratings and any necessary safety measures.  (Usually: "Do not stare into beam")