Fieldpiece Thermometers
Thermometers measure temperature. They consist of two main parts: the sensor and the display. The sensor measures the temperature, and the display shows the user the temperature in a numerical value. Sensor and display options from Fieldpiece are exclusively digital.
Fieldpiece thermometers come in a variety of styles but are designed for use primarily by HVAC/R technicians. Fieldpiece thermometers have unique features that make them more effective for HVAC use. For instance, certain Fieldpiece thermometers feature internal technology that offers superior temperature compensation in rapidly changing environments commonly found while performing HVAC field service.
Types of Fieldpiece Thermometers:
- Contact Thermometers. Contact thermometers measure the temperatures of materials by coming into direct contact with them. Contact thermometers from Fieldpiece are exclusively digital. The clear digital displays on digital thermometers are easier to read than displays on traditional analog thermometers. These instruments come in a variety of styles and sizes to meet a range of needs.
- Infrared Thermometers. Infrared thermometers are non-contact thermometers that calculate temperature based on the amount of thermal radiation emitted by the measured object. They come in a variety of styles. Fieldpiece offers gun-style, pen-style, and handheld laser IR thermometers. Some models include temperature probe options for contact readings.
Fieldpiece Contact Thermometers
Contact thermometers measure the temperatures of materials by coming into direct contact with them. These thermometers feature a temperature probe and display. They can be used to measure a variety of objects, and they are available in a range of styles and sizes to meet various needs.
Types of Fieldpiece Contact Thermometers:
- Dual-temperature: Fieldpiece dual-temperature contact thermometers are designed for HVAC/R technicians. These are your standard, hard-working, heavy-duty thermometers. Dual-temp thermometers from Fieldpiece feature the ability to measure two temperatures simultaneously via included k-type thermocouples. They also feature Min/Max and Hold functions, Centigrade or Fahrenheit measurement, and superior temperature compensation in rapidly changing environments.
- Modular Dual-temp attachment: This type of thermometer is not a standalone unit. It is designed for use with a Fieldpiece stick meter, part of the company's proprietary modular expansion system. This attachment is accurate to ±1ºF, converts from -50ºF to 1800ºF, and stabilizes rapidly so you can take it from the roof to indoors and get accurate readings faster.
- Knife-style: This pocket-sized thermometer type features a folding thermometer probe just like a pocketknife. This instrument is a cheap yet capable thermometer which can rotate its probe 180 degrees, hang from ducts, and even poke through soft ducts. This is a quick and easy way to take accurate temperature readings. The unit even features Min/Max and Hold functions as well as Centigrade or Fahrenheit measurement.
Temperature Probes. Temperature probes are metal thermometers used to measure the temperature of a specific environment, such as a piece of meat or a liquid. Many accessories are available, and they come in a variety of styles and sizes to meet a range of needs. T-handle temperature probes make it easier to hold while jabbing. Bead type temperature probes can be snaked around objects; many Fieldpiece units include k-type thermocouple bead type probes. Half-pipe shaped temperature probes fit around the circumference of pipes. When choosing a temperature probe, it is important to consider how the device will be used.
Find these accessory probes here: Products > Accessories > Probes >
Temperature Probes
High Accuracy Secondary Thermometers vs. Primary Contact Thermometers
There are two main types of thermometers: primary and secondary. Which category the thermometer fits in depends on how the temperature measurement is calculated.
The most common type is high accuracy secondary thermometers. They are widely used because of their convenience and accuracy. These types of thermometers must be calibrated against a primary thermometer.
Primary thermometers are more complex than secondary thermometers. These thermometers calculate temperature without any unknown quantities because the measured matter is so well known. For instance, these thermometers may be based on the equation of the state of a gas, on the velocity of sound in a gas, on the thermal noise, or other complex equations.
Fieldpiece IR Thermometers
Infrared thermometers calculate temperature based on the amount of thermal radiation emitted by the measured object. They come in a variety of styles and sizes to meet a range of needs. IR Thermometers from Fieldpiece are designed primarily to be used by HVAC/R technicians.
Types of Fieldpiece IR Thermometers:
- IR Laser Thermometers: These use a laser to help aim the thermometer. When using one of these instruments one can easily determine hidden hot and cold spots from a distance or up close. This is especially helpful for HVAC/R technicians when a measurement is needed from a hard to reach area. Pocket size options are also available from Fieldpiece.
- IR "Pen" Thermometers: Fieldpiece pen style IR thermometers are extremely portable yet capable versions of the standard laser IR thermometer. These units do not incorporate lasers but make up for it with their small sizes and impressive accuracy. Despite their size these units feature 1:1 field of view, selectable °F or °C, accuracy to ±1.5°F, and range from -22°F to 1023°F.
Choosing a Fieldpiece IR Thermometer
- Field of View (FOV) / Distance-to-Spot ratio (D:S). The field of view is essential to obtaining an accurate temperature reading. The target being measured should completely fill the field of view of the instrument. A measurement error can occur if the background temperature is different from the object temperature. This is why distance to spot ratio is important when selecting an IR thermometer.
The distance-to-spot ratio (D:S) is the ratio of the distance to the object and the diameter of the temperature measurement area. The larger the ratio number is the better the instrument's resolution, and the smaller the spot size that can be measured. For instance, an IR thermometer with 50:1 ratio will accurately measure temperatures of smaller objects than an IR thermometer with a 10:1 ratio. If the D:S ratio is 10:1, measurement of an object 10 inches (25.4 cm) away will average the temperature over a 1 inch (25 mm) diameter area. A ratio of 50:1 will measure a 1 inch (25mm) diameter area that is 50 inches (127 cm) away. When selecting an IR thermometer consider the distance from the target to be measured and select a model with an appropriate distance-to-spot ratio.
![IR-spot-size-example]() |
A practical illustration of how significant a measurement error can be when measuring a hot pipe if spot size is too big |
- Temperature Range. When selecting an IR thermometer, a wide temperature range is important. Since these thermometers are used in applications with very high and very low temperatures, the thermometer must be able to accurately measure these temperatures. This is especially important in food and beverage applications as well as applications that measure frozen materials.
- Adjustable Emissivity. Emissivity is the ratio of energy radiated (invisible heat) by a material to the energy radiated by a black body at the same temperature. It is the only type of heat that can be used to measure the surface temperature of an object. Reflected and transmitted heat cannot be used.
However, IR thermometers recognize reflected, transmitted, and emitted heat, so the device must be adjusted to read only emitted heat in order to provide a surface temperature. A black body will have emissivity of 1 and objects will have a value between 0 and 1. Emissivity of common objects is generally available in the IR thermometer instruction manual or on the internet. Better IR thermometers have adjustable emissivity settings. Others have a pre-set emissivity of 0.95. For better results with these 0.95 fixed models, use emissivity tape, available from TEquipment, on the surface to be measured. To learn more about emissivity tape, see the section "What is Non-Reflective Tape for IR Thermometers (Emissivity Tape)?" below.
What is Non-Reflective Tape for IR Thermometers (Emissivity Tape)?
This tape can be used with IR thermometers that have fixed emissivity rates to increase accuracy when measuring shiny objects. Simply place the tape on the object being measured and allow time for it to reach the same temperature as the object. Use the taped spot as the measuring spot.