The Different Types Of Thermometer And Their Use

There are many different types of thermometer on the market. Whether you're checking the temperature of food and drinks, monitoring room or outdoor temperatures at the workplace, choosing a thermometer for a child's medical kit, or taking critically important industrial measurements, it's vitally important to choose the thermometer(s) best suited to the job at hand.

The Different Types Of Thermometer And Their Use

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In today's market, more thermometers are used without firstly being checked for traceable accuracy, or suitability of purpose, yet the accuracy and suitability of your thermometer to its intended application could be the difference between passing and failing a health & safety audit, wasting a whole industrial process, or being correct the first time.

Infrared Thermometer

The Different Types Of Thermometer And Their Use

When you're choosing a thermometer, it's important to understand its associated application, temperature measurement range, resolution, accuracy, and the maintenance required to achieve repeatable measurements. Some applications will require you to achieve a much more accurate reading than others. You'll also need to consider the environment in which the thermometer is used. In a professional environment, the accuracy of your reading will ultimately affect the credibility of your future measurements, and organisation as a whole.

The Different Types Of Thermometer And Their Use

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So, let's briefly consider the types of thermometer on the market, and their accredited application(s).

Traditional Thermometers (Spirit Filled)

Often the cheapest and most popular type of thermometer, these are ideal for use at home or in non-specialist environments where traceable accuracy is not required. They have a spirit level indication, are easy to read, and typically measure in both degrees C and degrees F. They can often be wall mounted or submerged in liquids, and require very little maintenance. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Dual Sensor / Multiple Sensor Thermometers

Often used in a professional environment, these thermometers allow the simultaneous monitoring of two or more environments over both short and long periods of time. They are ideal for applications such as indoor and outdoor temperature comparisons, the monitoring of storage areas, and classroom maintenance. A package normally consists of a main display unit and external temperature sensors. Each external sensor reading is displayed on the main unit. The main unit can typically be wall or desk mounted, and traceable accuracy is recommended. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Irreversible Temperature Labels

Temperature indicator labels are self-adhesive temperature proofing foils. They are ideal for use in processes where specific temperature values need to be achieved, such as sterilisation. They are also suitable for use where temperature values should not be exceeded, such as engine or bearing monitoring. They are a relatively cheap, yet effective way to achieve permanent records of accuracy. Each foil segment on a label is sensitive to a different temperature and when exposed to its rating will turn black. Each segment has both °C and °F temperature values. Each label is oil and water resistant, and the colour change is irreversible even after the object being measured cools down. After use, labels can be removed. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Fixed & Wired Probe Thermometers

Fixed probe thermometers are designed to deliver instant temperature readings of foods, liquids and semi-solid samples via its fixed probe, which will be suitable for both immersion and penetration. They are ideal for use in the catering trade for hygiene testing, retail outlets, and laboratories. Being very easy to use and highly portable, probes will vary in size, material, and manoeuvrability. Wired probe thermometers are similar to fixed probe thermometers, the difference being that the probe is attached to the thermometer via a wire. This maximises utility without compromising accuracy. Traceable accuracy is recommended if used in a professional environment. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

K-Type Thermometers

K-Type thermometers deal with extreme temperatures and are normally found in laboratories and industry. They cater for applications requiring high precision, and can facilitate a range of interchangeable plug in probes for air, liquid, penetration and surface temperature measurements. They're often the best choice of thermometer if you have several applications in one professional environment. They offer wide temperature measurement ranges, high accuracy, and fast measurement response times. Non-slip function buttons and impact-resistant casing make these thermometers ideal for use in harsh working environments. Probes will vary in size, material, and manoeuvrability, and traceable accuracy is recommended if used in a professional environment. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Data Logging Thermometers

Data logging thermometers allow continuous temperature measurements to be displayed in real-time, or downloaded and stored to PCs or Laptop computers. They are designed to record temperature history in critical areas such as storage rooms, transportation, and laboratories, and are ideal if you'd like to submit regular records to management, auditors, or work colleagues. The recorded measurements can be attached to emails or reports, and is great for fault finding or traceability in controlled environments. A user may select the logging rate, start time, alarm limits, and logging mode. The supplied analysis software provides a graphical display of data, showcasing the total readings, a zoom facility for individual readings, and a visual indication of alarm levels throughout the logging period. Traceable accuracy is recommended if used in a professional environment, and again, these thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Infrared Thermometers

Infrared thermometers are designed for non-contact measurement of very high / low surface temperatures, and are frequently equipped with a laser to measure radiated heat. They are suitable for temperature measurements of air conditioning systems, transport and automotive spot checks, and food preparation surfaces. It's not as simple to operate these thermometers as some suppliers would have you believe. It's not point; pull the trigger, read the measurement. Important factors to consider before measuring are laser spot-size, and the emissivity value of the surface being measured. The error in the accuracy of a measured value can be as much as 30% of the reading just based on emissivity. Traceable accuracy is recommended if used in a professional environment. These thermometers have variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

Thermal Image Cameras

Thermal image cameras allow immediate identification of hot and cold areas via thermal imagery. They are ideal for detecting hidden problems, surveying buildings to find moisture and leaks, identifying energy loss and poor insulation, electrical faults, and detecting plumbing issues. Some cameras facilitate the download of imagery to PCs or Laptop computers. The recorded data can then be attached to emails or reports, and is great for fault finding or traceability in controlled environments. Some models include a correction for emissivity and reflected temperature. Again, there will be variable measurement ranges, resolutions and accuracy.

If you can choose the thermometer best suited to your intended application, AND provide traceable instrument calibration to an auditor, you can always be assured of your measurement's creditability. If you're unsure of a thermometer's suitability, always consult the help of a professional body.

The Different Types Of Thermometer And Their Use

Infrared Thermometer

Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

The first thing to do if you find a baby bird that fell from it's nest is to place the bird back in the nest if possible. It is a myth that birds will no longer visit a nest that has the "scent" of a human. A bird's sense of smell is poor and the "human" scent does not register. Also the parents would do anything to keep their youngster safe and fed including trying to protect it or feed it if i is on the ground and unable to fly. So if you can, put it back in it's nest or if it's just about to fly, put it somewhere safe, where the (probably frantic) parents can tend to it. If this is not possible and/or you have a live baby unable to fly - for whatever reason - and the only thing to do is try to keep it alive, you must take on the responsibility of keeping it alive.

Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

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Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

It's no small responsibility either - if it has no feathers or feathers are just growing in, it must be fed every 2 hrs. 'round the clock. I'll get to feeding a chick in an emergency in a minute. Warmth is right up there on the priority list along with feeding every 2 hrs 'round the clock. The chick needs to have a constant temperature of 85 deg. F.

You can try to duplicate this by getting a shoebox with a cover, line it with newspaper, punch a lot of holes in the sides and top, then make a little nest by forming cotton balls or scrap fabric into the shape of a nest- not too thick, and place the little one inside this make-shift nest. Place 1/2 of the covered shoebox on top of a heating pad set to low. Then get a desk lamp or some type of bulb and put it 6"-7" above the covered box. If you have an infrared bulb, these are the best as they give out a lot of heat (it's also been proven that infrared light stimulates a bird's immune system). If you have a thermometer, place that in the box also (I have a digital thermometer that shows the temp plus the moisture percentage. It is used for a reptile environment). Then place 4 or 5 water-moistened cotton balls in a jar lid and put that in the box too (moisture needs to be at about 20%).

These are approximates but you will have to do whatever it takes to keep the baby bird warm at 85 deg. F and have about a 20% moisture environment within the box. Use common sense to keep the temps as close as possible to what is listed here. If you have a wild baby bird, place this set up somewhere outside where it is SAFE. OK, now for feeding. If you have to feed the baby RIGHT NOW, and if you have some dried cat food (dry dog food will do but dried cat food is better), grind it up, combine it with warm (ideally the water temp should be 104 deg. F) filtered water if you have- enough water to make a watery paste that will stick to the tapered end of a chop- stick.

Touch the side of the baby's beak with the chopstick and try to get a "gape" - the FEED ME NOW response. It should not be too difficult if the chick is healthy. Ever so gently, grasp the little head between your fingers and gently guide the tapered end of the chopstick with the formula over the tongue, down the throat of the bird from left to right. A hungry, healthy bird will gobble the chopstick and immediately want more. Feed the bird until it's crop (the sack that is below the throat but above the chest) starts to extend.

Be careful not to overfeed the baby as they don't know when they've had enough. The crop should be extended, full but not tight. No need to feed the chick water alone. It will get the water it needs from the cat food formula. Try to maintain sanitary conditions as much as possible. Make a fresh batch of formula for each feeding and wash all utensils with soap and water in between feedings.

Change the nest materials daily. I've raised wild baby birds on this formula (& method) alone and within just a few days, they flew off. If you have an injured bird or a very young bird, if you can't find a wildlife rehab. center and/or you really want to make sure it's getting a good start, get some baby bird feeding formula at your local pet store. I've used Exact but there are others on the market and have fed the babies using a syringe, also available at your local pet store. Exact enclosed more specific feeding directions or it's printed on the outside of the container. The cat food formula is really for emergencies and is something many people have on hand. Now unless you are willing to commit to getting up every two hours 'round the clock and doing all the mixing and cleaning recommended, my next advice would be to call a wildlife rehabilitation center.

Learn How You Can Save a Baby Bird

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex

I bought it because of the low price & was surprised to find it works just as well as more expensive Fluke thermometers I've used in the past. It works quickly, has a good distance to spot ratio and it's priced just right.

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex

Most people don't seem to realize that the accuracy of this thermometer (all infrared temperature sensors) is very dependent on a property of every material called "emissivity". In general, you will get a more accurate reading when the material has a high emissivity. Materials with low emissivity will reflect infrared light. If the material has a *very* low emissivity,..

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex

such as with aluminum foil, then the device will be reading the temperature of the objects that are in the foil's reflection - such as the kitchen, the oven interior surface, and even yourself. Luckily, most of the surfaces associated with foods being cooked have a high emissivity (water, flesh, oil, plant matter, etc), so the device will be fairly accurate with those. But there's another thing to consider for cooking applications - this device still is only measuring the surface temperature. With foods like meats, you are still going to want to use a temperature probe so that you can measure the inside temperature.

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex

This device should work well with measuring temperature of candy, melted soap, oils, foods cooked at relatively low temperature such as breads, or food that you are re-heating. It should also work very well for examining doughs.

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex
It should also work well on most non-metallic painted surfaces.
It should work *somewhat* on windows, as they have a fairly high emissivity, and low transmittance to infrared (that is, infrared light does not pass through them even though visible light does).
Do *not* use it on any unpainted metals.

Infrared Thermometer Kintrex