What do folks use to accurately measure component temperatures? I have an IR gun thermometer, but I have read that these are not really accurate enough since the spot size is fairly large and shiny surfaces can throw them off.
I use a Flir One Edge; https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/ther...hId=fca6068e-9153-492f-8e81-f6728e72b882&gb=s
Using Infra Red, 8 - 14uM wave length and visual, for temperature and standard lense for a colour picture overlay, I find it easier to use than my Fluke Tis20+.
Ideal for measuring anything from pin pointing hot resistors, semiconductors and even checking the balance on a set of four, six or eight output valves in an amplifier at a glance. Communication via BlueTooth to my workshop Mac or indeed recording to my iPhone, for field visits and is very accurate.
Invaluable in my opinion.
Using Infra Red, 8 - 14uM wave length and visual, for temperature and standard lense for a colour picture overlay, I find it easier to use than my Fluke Tis20+.
Ideal for measuring anything from pin pointing hot resistors, semiconductors and even checking the balance on a set of four, six or eight output valves in an amplifier at a glance. Communication via BlueTooth to my workshop Mac or indeed recording to my iPhone, for field visits and is very accurate.
Invaluable in my opinion.
I use an Amprobe TMD-50. I think it was about $50 including the thermocouples. Amprobe is made by Fluke. It even shipped from Fluke...
Tom
Tom
The thermocouple is not insulated. The thermocouple wire is insulated, but I wouldn't poke around in a live circuit with it. In fact, thermal imaging is probably your best option for high-voltage circuits. The main drawback is that the thermal cameras can't know the emissivity of the materials you're measuring, so they can give false results. Shiny aluminum won't emit much IR, for example. Cover the piece with black electrical tape and you can get a good reading.
Tom
Tom
There are quite a wide range of IR thermometers, some of the contactless IR thermometer can hold a pretty narrow measurement spot up to relatively large distance, some can be adjusted for different surfaces, ie. emissivity.
With regards to different types of surfaces and colors having different emissivity I use to dab on Tipp-Ex which is a pretty matte white color to get high emissivity and even readout.
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/b...et-great-results-with-an-infrared-thermometer
just my 2c.
With regards to different types of surfaces and colors having different emissivity I use to dab on Tipp-Ex which is a pretty matte white color to get high emissivity and even readout.
https://www.fluke.com/en-us/learn/b...et-great-results-with-an-infrared-thermometer
just my 2c.
Regarding IR emissivity at normal temperatures: most metals have very very low emissivity (< 0.1), most other materials are very high (0.9 or better). Coatings like anodizing or paint will make metals properly emissive.
The materials used for far-IR lenses are transparent of course, germanium, zinc suphide, polythene (and probably other aliphatic polymers)
At high temperatures most materials' emissivity increases towards 1.0, which is why infra-red pyrometers are used to measure the temperature of molten metal.
The materials used for far-IR lenses are transparent of course, germanium, zinc suphide, polythene (and probably other aliphatic polymers)
At high temperatures most materials' emissivity increases towards 1.0, which is why infra-red pyrometers are used to measure the temperature of molten metal.