100% Employee Owned, Founded 1954

Metrology Glossary: Infrared Thermometer (IR Thermometer)

What Is An Infrared Thermometer?

An infrared thermometer, commonly known as an IR thermometer, is a valuable tool for contactless temperature measurement. Its primary function is to determine an object’s temperature by capturing the infrared radiation it emits. Infrared radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation beyond the visible spectrum, but can be detected through electronic sensors. These thermometers operate by concentrating the infrared radiation emitted by the object onto a sensor, which transforms it into an electrical signal. The thermometer processes this signal to compute the object’s temperature.

What Are Infrared Thermometers Used For?

  • Industrial: Supervising machinery and equipment for signs of overheating, pinpointing faulty components, and executing proactive maintenance measures.
  • Automotive: Diagnosing engine issues, assessing tire pressure, and detecting electrical abnormalities using accurate infrared temperature readings.
  • Construction: Examining insulation for potential leaks, swiftly identifying moisture infiltration, and closely monitoring the progress of drying processes.
  • Medical: Precisely gauging body temperature to identify fever symptoms, continuously monitoring the temperature of newborns, and acquiring non-intrusive temperature measurements.
  • Food Safety: Verifying food temperatures during both cooking and storage, ensuring adherence to hygiene standards, and mitigating the risk of foodborne illnesses.
  • Environmental: Recording precise air and water temperatures, overseeing pollution levels, and investigating thermal characteristics of various materials.
infrared thermometer or temperature reading device

Related Terms

Glossary Tags

Equipment Parts and Components

Browse our Terminology Glossary

#

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

See how our team can help improve efficiency, reduce risk, and raise quality in your process.

Contact our Team

Hang Tight! We're Searching... Searching... Searching...

We’re looking through thousands of pages to find the most relevant information.

In the meantime, enjoy these fun facts…

Did you know… Cross Company is an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan). Our ESOP started in 1979 and as of 2006, we are 100% employee-owned! Learn more about our ESOP and how that benefits both team members and our customers.
Did you know... the precision measurement group at Cross was founded in 1939 by our current CEO's grandfather, Jim King. That's a whole lot of calibration!
Did you know... A fingerprint weighs about 50 micrograms. We know, we weighed it! The residue left from a finger can actually make a difference in weight results which is why we wear gloves when we calibrate weights. For reference, a sheet of paper is about 4.5 grams, that’s 4.5 million micrograms.
Did you know… Cross Company has grown significantly since our start in 1954. Over the years we've acquired 26 companies! Today, our five groups have expertise in everything from industrial automation to precision measurement, and industry knowledge going all the way back to 1939.