Low-cost IR thermometers oust thermocouples

Citation

(2004), "Low-cost IR thermometers oust thermocouples", Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials, Vol. 51 No. 5. https://doi.org/10.1108/acmm.2004.12851ead.002

Low-cost IR thermometers oust thermocouples

Low-cost IR thermometers oust thermocouples

Keywords: Thermometers, Thermocouples

A novel range of noncontact thermometers can be permanently substituted for disposable thermocouples without undue cost and technical complexity.

An extension to Land's MF3 series of infrared thermometers, the new models have outputs that match the voltage/temperature correlations of Type J and Type K thermocouples so that they can be used without changing the calibration of downstream processing.

They are intended for industrial applications where thermocouples and their attendant disadvantages are still commonplace, including the manufacture of products as diverse as plastics, rubber, timber, paper, textiles, paint, lacquer, liquids and food.

Overall measurement range is 0-500°C, with an accuracy of ±1.5 per cent at an ambient 23°C, a response time of 300 ms and repeatability of ±1 per cent.

With dimensions of only 18.6 mm diameter and 118 mm long, the MF3 range is compact in both size and price, offering a good all-round performance with fixed emissivity compensation and a 5:1 field of view suitable for targets with a typical diameter of 60 mm at a 300 mm sighting distance.

Each MF3 thermometer is housed in a rugged stainless steel body and supplied completely with a 1 m prewired cable for simple connection into existing systems without configuration or technical input from the manufacturer.

Dedicated mountings and accessories include a water-cooled jacket for environments up to 80°C and situations where the sides of the thermometer are subject to significant radiated energy.

For more information contact: Tel: +44 1246 417691, Fax: +44 1246 410585.