Professional Infrared Thermometers

	TN408LC with laser sighting and temperature range of -76° to 932°F (-60° to 500°C)
	11:1 Distance-to-spot size ratio
	Adjustable emissivity
	0.1°/0.5° resolution (°F or °C)
	Bright large amber back-lit LCD display
	Supports optional K-type thermocouple with "mini" plug connector (thermocouple not shown/not included)
	Measure modes include AVE, MAX, MIN, DIFF (MAX-MIN) and LOCK for continuous scanning
	Programmable HI/LO alarm limits with audible and visible indications
	Automatic data hold
	Automatic power OFF after 15 seconds

Introduction to Infrared Thermometers

How do infrared thermometers work?
The most basic design consists of a lens to focus the infrared (IR) energy on to a detector, which converts the energy to an electrical signal that can be displayed in units of temperature after being compensated for ambient temperature variation. This configuration facilitates temperature measurement from a distance without contact with the object to be measured. As such, the infrared thermometer is useful for measuring temperature under circumstances where thermocouples or other probe type sensors cannot be used or do not produce accurate data for a variety of reasons. Some typical circumstances are where the object to be measured is moving; where the object is surrounded by an EM field, as in induction heating; where the object is contained in a vacuum or other controlled atmosphere; or in applications where a fast response is required.

Common Questions When Using an Infrared Thermometer:

Why should I use an infrared thermometer to measure temperature in my application?
Infrared pyrometers allow users to measure temperature in applications where conventional sensors cannot be employed. Specifically, in cases dealing with moving objects ( i.e., rollers, moving machinery, or a conveyor belt), or where non-contact measurements are required because of contamination or hazardous reasons (such as high voltage), where distances are too great, or where the temperatures to be measured are too high for thermocouples or other contact sensors.

Infrared Tutorial

•	What is the history of IR?

•	What is IR?

•	Why can't I see IR?

•	What kind of theory & technology is involved in IRT?

•	How does it work?

•

FAQ

		What is the history of IR?

The Royal Astronomer Sir William Herschel discovered "Dark Heat" radiation in 1800.
In 1880 the term "infrared" was coined. Samuel Langley invented the bolometer that measures variations of resistance when heated.
In 1901 a bolometer could detect a cow at 400 meters.
After World War II, many countries invest huge amounts of money in IR for military application.
In 2002 Radiant Innovation, has designed the most compact; most long battery life (70hours continuous use) and the most affordable IR Thermometer by the proprietary SoC & Infrared Technology, use MEMS based; advanced Thermal Sensor.

		What is infrared radiation (IR)?

IR just like any light ray, is an Electromagnetic Radiation, with lower frequency (or longer wavelength)

Anything above absolute zero (-273.15 degrees Celsius or 0 degrees Kelvin), radiates in the infrared. Even ice cube, snow, your refrigerator emit infrared.

		Why can't I see IR?

Your eyes are design for Sunlight, 2 kinds of species are identified to be able to detect IR: some rattle snake & beetle. But you still can sense the IR by your skin:Beside a campfire, you can feel the warmth from the IR.
When your car is baked by sun , you start the car, turn on Air-Con, the air is cooled,
But you still feel Baking-Hot!, that's IR come from the interior of the car, reaching your sensor (skin).
You may use IRT to learn that the radiation temperature in your car can reach 80degC!

		What kind of theory & technology is involved in IRT?

Believe or not, Quantum physics is the key theory:
the total radiation energy is proportional to the fourth power of the absolute temperature (Stefan-Boltzmann Law)
Wien Displacement Law: the product of the peak wavelength and the temperature is found to be a constant.
Wien get the Nobel Prize for Physics for the year 1911.
These are the major earthquake in physics, after that Classic Physics crashed, Quantum Physics flourish.

		How does it work?

The sensor in this IRTcollect the tiny energy (usually 0.0001 watt) from the target,
amplify by a precision amp, convert it into voltage output.
The CPU then digitize the signal by a 16bit Analog to Digital Converter,
the Arithmetic Unit then solve the temperature equation by the above Nobel Prized Laws ,
and compensate the ambient temperature and emissivity effect, you get the temperature of the target within seconds after you push that switch.

For those who want to know more, try Georgia State University's Hyper Physics :
they provide excellent tutorial, equations and examples.

		FAQ

As I remember, usually IRT are much larger than this one? Accuracy is compromised?

IRT were much larger, but ZyTemp is as small as the "battery of some large IRT".
Accuracy is not compromised, each device has a test report in our database, which is traceable by the serial number.
These test follow the disciplines of "ASTM E1256.Test Methods for Radiation Thermometers (Single Waveband Type)"

Under Development:
COC on Web
You can check the accuracy test report of the very IRT in your hand by visiting our web site www.ZyTemp.com and entering the serial no.
Some model (TN1xx-tr) has a hardcopy test report right in the package.
RII is the only manufacturer who can provide free test report via internet.

In terms of accuracy, size doesn't matter.

Can IRT measure air temperature?

No and Yes.
No, because Air do not emit infrared, the emissivity is too low to be detected.
Yes, because you can pointing the IRT to anything that has the SAME temperature as the air:
Outdoor: leaf , tree, grass (under sunshade) has the same temperature as the air
Indoor: your desk, a piece of paper, has the same temperature as the air.
The key to get "Air temperature" is to measure "anything which should have the same temperature as the air"

Can I measure the body temperature of an Ant by IRT?

You can pointing the IRT to an Ant on your desk, but what you get is an average temperature of the Ant & the Desk
because the Field Of View of the IRT is much larger than the Ant.
But, if you can get 10,000 of ant, on your desk, which can cover the whole FOV of the IRT,then
YES, you can measure the body temperature of Ant.

This FOV issue, is a key to get correct reading from IRT.

	How far ?
	I can measure temperature of a wall from 5meter? Temperature of a mountain from 1km? We are using the 8um to 15um infrared, the atmosphere is almost totally transparent for this band. At 100meter, no rain, no fog condition, IRT is very accurate. At 1km, you need some physics background to correct the reading. see [Theory and Practice of Radiation Thermometry] by D.P. DeWitt, chapter 3.

	Can the IRT operated in complete darkness?
	Yes, that's why DOD & military are so interested in IR. In fact, the early IR technology are developed by military fund.

	Can the IRT penetrate a building, measure what's inside?
	In real life, No. It can be done only in the movie.

	But I remember IR can penetrate something?
	IR can penetrate PE film (for example: a complete dark garbage bag), Silicon, Gemanium. You can hide something warm behind a PE film (your hand), the IRT can detect the presence of the object.

	Now I can measure the body temperature of a fish in my aquarium?
	No, water & glass is transparent for visible light only, but for IR, it's completely "opaque", all IR from the fish can't penetrate the water, so you are only measure the temperature of the glass. How about my pet's temperature? by pointing IRT to your dog, you get the temperature of the fur. What you see is what you got.

How do I know, my IRT is still accurate?

Calibration of IRT is extremely sophisticated, that's why IRT were so expensive. (not any more!)
RII develop his own proprietary CCE(Continuous Calibration Equipment), which can calibrate 96pcs of IRT at the same time, at different temperatures, in a continuous, high throughput operation.
The Cycle time is also reduced by a special prediction algorithm.
RII are ISO9001 certified.
Our Infrared Ear Thermometer can conform with the ASTM E1965's stringent requirement: +/-0.2degC
If still in doubt, you can try this DIY-Calibration:

Fill a large polystyrene (e.g., Styrofoam) cup (10 oz or larger) (or any Thermos) halfway to the surface with crushed ice.
Add cold tap water to ? to 1 inch below the rim of the cup tip. Two cups, one inside the other, will provide better insulation and more stable temperatures throughout the test.
Immerse the tip of an accurately calibrated contact probe thermometer, that has been calibrated, into the water and vigorously stir the water's surface with the probe for one minute, or until contact probe temperature stabilizes.
When the probe temperature has stabilized, continue stirring the water, while taking simultaneous temperature measurements with the IR thermometer.
Hold the IR thermometer within 1 inches of the surface of the water for the most accurate measurement. Infrared temperature
measurement should be within +/-1˘J (+2°F) of probe reading at 0°C(32°F).

Warning: because such a testing requires special technique; and for the follow reason, RII has no guaranty on the result.

Advanced user may use a home made triple-point (liquid; gas and solid co-exist) to calibrate your Contact Thermometer,
see Scientific American, January 13, 1999, "Tackling the Triple Point", By Shawn Carlson
This article provides an innovative way to maintain a temperature standard about 0.0001 degree C, right in your home and costs less than $50 to build.
Triple-point of water is a very accurate temperature standard, much better than "Ice &Water coexist".

What else can I use IRT to measure?

You can measure the temperature of almost anything, including the universe! to prove the Big Bang theory.
In 1965, the remnant radiation from the Big Bang was discovered by radio astronomers Arno Penzias and Robert Wilson. This radiation, which peaks at 3 K (-270degC) can be found in all directions in space.
Such a temperature is an evidence of the Big Bang (the origin of this universe).
Well , you have to carry an IRT to outer space to get a correct reading. Well, of course, you need some sophisticated IRT and maybe a space shuttle to do this measurement.
Our IRT still can't operate in outer space.

So this "Swiss Army Thermometer" can measure anything?

Yes, it's a Swiss Army Thermometer. But there are still something impossible to measure :
Gold, Shining Metal, or any low emissivity material.
For example: the reading of a 125degC gold, is only about 27degC.
For these material with high reflection in IR, what you are measured is only the REFLECTION.
When IRT fail, try other contact type thermometers
Find..List..Learn About Temperature Sensors at: www.temperatures.com

Hint to get accurate reading with IRT?

The target must cover the whole FOV(Field Of View) of the IRT.
Avoid shining surface(metal), rough surface give better accuracy.
add Electrical Insulating Tape (black is better) on the metal surface, can solve the problem, give accurate result.
be sure the tape is large enough to cover to Field Of View of the IRT.
be sure the tape will not BURN. use with caution!
Avoid temperature noise (avoid other High temperature object is nearby)
for example: you are measuring an IC, with a solder-iron nearby
Try to perpendicular to the target surface.

Price is $59.00 Specifications as follows: