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What is Infrared Thermometer?

A thermometer refers to equipment that helps in measuring the temperature of the body. The infrared thermometer takes the help of infrared sensors which emit IR waves in order to measure the temperature of the body. Thus, it is also known as a non-contact thermometer. Infrared rays are not visible to humans as they have a wavelength longer as compared to visible light.

Advantages of Infrared Thermometer

• It is easy, convenient, and simple for measuring the temperature
• It is quite fast as compared to contact-based thermometers like RTD, thermocouple, or thermistor. Generally, these types of thermometers provide temperature readings in few seconds only.
• It doesn’t need any contact for temperature measurement. Hence, it is highly chosen during the global COVID-19 pandemic.
• The majority of the infrared thermometer turns off automatically with an aim to save the battery when remained on for a long time.
• It is very light-weight and compact in size.
• Because they are non-contact types, there is no risk of contamination and no mechanical impact on the surface of the object.
• Owing to the operating procedure, it can be utilized to measure inaccessible objects.
• It is highly accurate as compared to other contact thermometer types.
• It is cost-efficient. Therefore, it is not much costly.
• It can measure moving objects as well.

Drawbacks of Infrared Thermometer

• Infrared waves negatively affect the human eyes at high power. Therefore, it is advisable to take utmost care while taking measurements. The equipment should be placed carefully near the forehead or hand or any other parts.
• It provided precise measurement when both the device and measuring surface is in LOS (Line of Sight). In addition, it is helpful in the short-range and thus device should be near while conducting measurement.
• It is an ideal device for measuring the temperature of the body and other surfaces. It is not fit for measuring the temperature of liquids or gases. For this application, other kinds of thermometers are utilized.
• The environment should be clean for the infrared thermometer to function precisely.

Reasons for the popularity of infrared thermometers

1.       The increasing number of COVID-19 patients

The primary reason for the transmission and spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is close contact among individuals. This also includes those people who are near each other physically within a range of 6 feet. Asymptomatic people can also increase the possibilities of transmission of the virus to others. Moreover, it is also observed that cases of reinfection of COVID-19 occurred, but such cases are very rare.

The infrared thermometer is able to measure thermal radiation that is emitting from the ear & forehead to measure the temperature of the body. Therefore, with rising cases of COVID-19 around the world, the demand and adoption of infrared thermometers have witnessed substantial increment both in commercial and residential uses.

2.       Bright prospects for 2nd generation infrared thermometers

At the onset of COVID-19, it is claimed that a surge in temperature during the summer would eradicate the virus. Though this remained the claim only as we entered into summer, we realize there is no direct relationship between summer and coronavirus. Moreover, the summer brings more COVID-19 patients in countries like the US, India, Russia, and Brazil. Around the world, natural control measures prove to be efficient in curbing the spread, in which temperature monitoring plays a crucial role.

Thus, the second phase of epidemic prevention and control is about to begin in nations like the US, the UK, Germany, India, and Canada. This will result in massive demand for second-generation forehead thermometer guns in global markets.

Conclusion:

Intending to evaluate temperature with minimum physical contact, an infrared thermometer is adopted. An infrared thermometer has easy procedure & accurate readings. This kind of thermometer does not require a lot of time and effort for precise adjustment.

Measuring temperature is one of the primary methods in order to know the body temperature of a person with an aim to recognize any disease. Regular body temperature is 98.6 F (37C) and fever is a measured body temperature above the normal. There can be different reasons for fevers such as infection, other medical conditions, chronic trauma or injury, & some medicines.

Infrared thermometers have bright prospects in near future due to their functionality and non-contact temperature measurement features. Moreover, the rising demand for temperature monitoring for different reasons is also likely to support the demand for the infrared thermometer market in the next few years.