What is IR Thermometers?

A IR thermometer or Pyrometer is used where it is not possible to measure temperature with contact, IE very hot or very cold temperatures or where the object is a distance away. Infrared is in the 10-6 to 10-4 Meter band, this is called the thermal radiation band. It is between the microwave band and the visible light band. An IR thermometer, transmit a predefined IR frequency signal to the object under measurement, if the IR generated by that object itself is of a lower frequency than the received IR, that frequency is subtracted from the received frequency and that IR signal is then reflected back to the IR thermometer, this received signal is then used by the build in electronics of the thermometer to calculate the temperature of the object under measurement. Some uses: * Detecting clouds for remote telescope operation * Checking mechanical equipment or electrical circuit breaker boxes or outlets for hot spots * Checking heater or oven temperature, for calibration and control purposes * Detecting hot spots / performing diagnostics in electrical circuit board manufacturing * Checking for hot spots in fire fighting situations * Monitoring materials in process of heating and cooling, for research and development or manufacturing quality control situations