General Tools IR Thermometers

Infrared thermometers are handheld devices used to measure temperature. They offer a fast and easy solution for non-contact screening and typically take measurements from a subject’s forehead. In a low volume setting, they are a great solution.

When selecting a product, there are a few things to consider:

• Test subjects must stop moving
• Test subjects are screened one at a time
• Staff must get close to test subjects to take a reading

Screening people individually can be very time consuming. While that may not be an issue in low volume settings such as a doctor’s office or barber shop, it may not be logistically possible for something like a school or factory. If there is a large scale, simultaneous entrance, screening with an IR thermometer could lead to backups and long lines.

For locations with thermal imaging systems, secondary screening is performed with an IR thermometer. In high volume screening, when a system flags a test subject as potentially having a high temperature, they would be put into more in-depth secondary screening. An IR thermometer would be used to further evaluate their condition and determine if a temperature abnormality is present.

Extech IR200

The IR200 is an FDA 510K cleared device and is accurate to within 0.5°F (0.3°C). To obtain accurate measurements, it should be within 1.9 to 5.9" of the test area. When a high temperature is detected, it will provide a visual and audio alert so that staff know there could be an issue.

The IR200 contains a backlit display for use in dimly lit environments and has an internal memory for up to 32 readings. It comes ready to use, complete with thermometer, pouch and battery.

For extra versatility, the IR200 can also be used for other non-human related applications. There is a switch on the unit’s side for a different mode, enabling the measurement of regular surface temperatures.

Metris THD2FE

The THD2FE is also FDA 510K cleared and has an accuracy of ±0.4°F. This is a medical grade thermometer and performs tests in just one second. The thermometer must be within 1.5” of the subject’s forehead to take its reading.

For users requiring NIST certification, TEquipment also offers this product with NIST traceable calibration. An independent laboratory certifies the accuracy of that exact instrument and is calibrated at 3 data points - 98.6, 100.4, and 102.5. The thermometer will also include a calibration certificate. While the THD2FE without NIST calibration is usable out of the box, some customers require NIST certified products for their organization’s requirements.