An infrared thermometer is also known as a laser thermometer. An infrared thermometer serves to find out the temperature of some of the thermal radiation emitted by the object being measured. The way this type of thermometer works is to use a laser to direct the thermometer.
As for how to use it is for monitoring temperature, this thermometer is used to measure when an object is moving. In addition, when objects are surrounded by electromagnetic fields such as induction heating, vacuum, controlled atmosphere, and rapid response, the tool measures the surface or the recommended temperature limits for contact sensors.
This thermometer is widely used to detect clouds, check the hot spot temperature of the equipment, measure the patient temperature, check the oven temperature. This thermometer is also increasingly being used during the COVID-19 pandemic where everyone enters the room, the temperature will be checked first with an infrared thermometer.
Here are the components of an infrared thermometer to give you a better idea of how it works.
1. LCD Display
LCD stands for liquid crystal display, a type of display media that uses liquid crystals as the main display. The display that is issued is in the form of data, both in the form of characters, letters, and graphics.
In an infrared thermometer, the LCD display is not that large. It shows the temperature of the object or person we want to measure the temperature.
The way this LCD display works is that after checking the temperature, the temperature of the object or person will appear right away.
2. C/F Mode or Add
This one button is part of an infrared thermometer that functions to measure a person’s temperature. So when you point the thermometer to your forehead or hand, press the C/F mode or add button, then wait for the temperature results to appear on the LCD display.
3. Object/Body Mode or Minus
The next component of the infrared thermometer is the object mode or minus. This section serves to reduce or neutralize the display on the LCD display to zero.
Suppose in the case that there are two people who want to enter a place. First, you point the thermometer to your forehead and press the C/F mode or add button, then the first person temperature will appear. To measure the temperature of the second person press the object/body mode or minus button, then the LCD display becomes neutral again.
4. Memory Inquiry or Advanced Setting
As the name implies, this button has a function to make settings on the infrared thermometer. The settings you make can be adjusted according to your needs in using these tools. If you want to change it back, you can do it in these settings.
5. Handle
The fifth component of the infrared thermometer is the handle. This handle has a function to place the hand grip.
So when using this thermometer you can hold it by placing your hand on the handle. The handle also has a large grip area so that it can be used for male or female grips.
6. Battery Cover
The last component of an infrared thermometer is the battery cover. The battery cover has a function to replace the battery if the previous battery runs out. So, this component has a function for battery replacement.
Infrared Thermometer Sensor
Based on the variation of the sensor, the infrared thermometer has sensors in the form of:
- Point infrared thermometer, where the thermometer is designed to see a narrow area at a certain point. In addition, this thermometer can be directed to the center of the object or person for which the temperature is measured.
Infrared thermometer line imaging system for determining important hotspots in continuous rotary mirroring. Scan a large surface in the room. This tool is widely used for manufacturing such as large sheets of glass or metal coming from factories and paper and the continuous pile of material along the conveyer belt.
Infrared camera designed as a camera. The function of this camera is to monitor many points at the same time. The result is an image with two dimensions per pixel that shows the temperature.
Today this technology requires a lot of processors and software. It works to scan a large area and is useful for viewing national borders for the military, quality control for manufacturing processes, and equipment supervision in hot or cold workspaces for safety and maintenance purposes.
Tips for Using an Infrared Thermometer
In addition, there are some tips for using the correct infrared thermometer, namely:
- Read how to use it properly, so that you know how to properly and not misperceive, let alone only get information from other people.
Do it in a closed room, the mistake has been using an infrared thermometer in an open room. It is highly recommended in a closed room because the results obtained will be different between the two places.
Shoot at the surface of the skin, so the way to use an infrared thermometer is to shoot it without touching the skin. The easiest is to shoot it into the facial skin, choosing the forehead because it is not sensitive when the thermometer is pointed.
This infrared thermometer is considered effective and practical. Because one of the advantages of an infrared thermometer is that you don’t have to make physical contact when checking the temperature.