A pyrometer is an element used to measure high temperatures . Generally its temperature range starts at -40 ºC and reaches 4000 ºC .
It is interesting to know that the etymological origin of that word is found in Greek. Specifically, you have to know that it is the result of the union of two terms from that language: the noun “pyr, pyros”, which means “fire”, and the word “meter”, which can be translated as “measuring instrument”. .
Many pyrometers have the ability to measure temperature from a distance . In this way, they do not need to be in direct contact with the substance in question.
There are various types of pyrometers. Its system is usually based on capturing the energy emitted by the object and the subsequent conversion of said energy into an electrical signal. The ambient temperature is compensated so as not to affect accuracy, while the thermometer is calibrated according to the particularities of the object's emission.
In the same way, we must take into consideration another series of important characteristics that a pyrometer has, such as, for example, its fast response speed, the fact that it is really very precise or that its cost is quite low. All this without overlooking that its maintenance is really simple, that it can be used in a wide variety of areas and that it is very versatile.
The radiation pyrometer , for example, allows us to capture the radiation emitted by a body and uses the Stefan-Boltzmann law for the measurement. The optical pyrometer , for its part, also records the radiation, comparing it with a standard source to perform the corresponding calculation.
In the case of the resistance pyrometer , you must establish contact with the object using a cable. Heat generates a modification of the electrical resistance, which allows temperature measurement to be achieved.
In addition to the pyrometers mentioned, we cannot overlook another very significant one, which is the following: infrared pyrometer. This, as its name indicates, is based on infrared radiation. It has in its favor that it is considered very precise and is based on the idea that any body that has a temperature above 0º radiates energy.
Pyrometers are used in gastronomy , among other areas. The instrument is used to measure the temperature of the oven , reflecting it on a visible indicator so that the cook knows the exact value. Oven pyrometers can be limited to indicating the temperature or allowing its regulation.
Firefighters also usually have pyrometers. Thanks to this tool, they can measure the different temperatures in a fire and thus discover where the main focus or origin of the fire is located.
Sometimes, it is often confused with the thermometer, but it must be stated that they are different. Specifically, the characteristics that separate them are that the pyrometer measures the temperature without the need for contact or that its response speed is greater than that of the aforementioned thermometer. Not to mention that, in addition, the pyrometer has a greater measurement range than that one.