1. Evaluation of Infra-Red Thermometers
Global Sensors
Evaluation of Infra-Red Thermometers

2. What is an Infra-Red thermometer?
Obtains temperature reading from a distance
Held in hand and pointed at a target
Often uses a laser beam to guide targeting
Digital temperature reading
Laser aiming
(Optional)
Finger pulls trigger to activate reading
All are battery powered.

3. Advantages of Infra-Red Thermometers
Quick…gives instantaneous result
Proven accurate and useful when used properly
Very robust and stable…holds calibration well

4. Who uses Infra-Red thermometers?
Food preparation workers
Food safety professionals
Catering and food service personnel A
Nurses
Doctors
Health Care workers
Screeners for epidemic diseases
Wide range of health care personnel B
Machine technicians in many industries
Air Conditioning diagnosis personnel
Electrical technicians C

5. Types of Infra-Red Thermometers
FOOD
Optimized for food temperature ranges
Often have probe thermometer integrated
Effective in presence of vapors from hot food
HACCP compliant A
HEALTH
Do not use laser aiming function
Optimized for narrow range of body temperatures
Set up for close range use…lighter and smaller B
TECHNICAL
Wider temperature ranges, less accuracy overall
Special functions are industry specific
Larger size, generally C

6. Selecting an Infra-Red Thermometer A
Typical distance to target?
External Probe?
Laser controllable?
HACCP functions included?
Accuracy?
Long Distance Ratio (above 12:1) is impractical for close range monitoring (less than 1 meter)
Accuracy of ~1°C is desirable for best decision-making
Laser useful in setting up procedures…but
Not advisable for use in air travel situation
Built-in HACCP functions are good if compliance is required…but not necessary
Probe is useful for relating surface temperatures to deeper temperatures
Not advisable for use in air travel situation

7. About Laser Aiming and Ratios
Should be inactivated for use in public situations
Useful for training or instrument familiarization
Ratio low = too close to target – hard to use?
Ratio high = too “variable” at close range
Typical Ratio
Good spot size for close range measurements

8. Optimum Selections Infra-Red Thermometers A
AQA 1721
FI-40L
Infrared-LC
GSIR-1
Dual Range Pocket IR
ThermaTwin™
AQA 1515
DualTemp 2 IR

9. Types of Infra-Red Thermometers
Unit
Probe
IR Accuracy
Ratio
Dist/Spot
Laser
HACCPReady
Comment
Infrared-LC
None
>1°C
10:1
Yes No
Recommended #2
FI-40L
<1°C
12:1
Recommended #1
AQA 1721
Plug-in*
1°C
16:1
Not for close-up
GSIR-1
6:1
Hot food
ThermaTwin
11:1
Complex functions
Pocket IR
Built-in
0.6°C
2.5:1
Low ratio
AQA 1515
4:1
Sensor on bottom
DualTemp 2
3:1
* Requires purchase of separate thermocouple probe

10. Important Infra-Red Facts: Skin Temperatures
Surface Temperature
Core Temperature
Infra-Red Thermometers measure surface temperature
Usually not a lot of difference
Use probe to confirm relationship (surface / core)
Relationship tends to be quite constant

11. Important Infra-Red Facts: Surface type
Cannot directly measure metal or shiny surfaces
Aim at food directly
Dull surface packaging OK
Water “beads” may be reflective

12. Important Infra-Red Facts: Features*
AVERAGE
HIGH / LOW
HOLD (also called LOCK)
STORE
LOW ALARM / HIGH ALARM
BACK LIGHT
AUTO-OFF
* Different products may have one or more of these features No product has all of these features.

13. Important Infra-Red Facts: “Emissivity”
Infra-Red ideal target is a flat black surface
Different reflectivity, color and “depth” change the ..response
Some units have adjustment function (Infrared-LC)
Not really needed for food Infra-Red thermometers
Emissivity for flat black target = 1.0
Food ranges from 0.95 to 0.95
Other surfaces may go as low as 0.8

14. Important Infra-Red Facts: Laser Function Control
Unit with Laser
Laser “Switch Off”
Laser “Cover”
Infrared-LC
Has Switch
N/A
FI-40L
No Switch
Yes, foil dot
AQA 1721
GSIR-1
No cover
ThermaTwin

15. Recommended FI-40L Infrared-LC Very Good Accuracy Excellent Accuracy
Laser On-Off
Adjustable Emissivity
Good Dist/Spot Ratio
Backlit
9V battery
Excellent Accuracy
Laser can be deactivated
Emissivity preset to best value (0.97)
Good Dist/Spot Ratio
Backlit
MAX function
Battery Indicator
2 AAA batteries