More about Thermometers

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Thermometers are devices used to measure temperature. Provided that the thermometer is properly calibrated, this temperature can be represented in any measurement system; many high-end thermometers offer automated conversions to multiple systems, as well. There are a wide variety of thermometer designs, from electric and mercury to heat-sensitive strips, which are used for everything from medical and domestic use to industrial control.

Mercury thermometers, once the most familiar types available, are generally not used in modern applications due to the dangerous nature of mercury. In medical applications and home use, electronic thermometers have largely replaced their mercury counterparts. Electronic thermometers work through a relatively simple process: the input temperature changes the amount of electrical resistance within the device. A small microprocessor within the thermometer calibrates the change in resistance, and translates it into a temperature reading. More precise versions of typical electric thermometers are often used in industrial systems to signal various operations.

Other thermometer designs include bimetal thermometers, infrared thermometers and Galileo thermometers. Infrared thermometers allow users to measure the temperature of an object without requiring contact. They do this by measuring the object’s electromagnetic radiation emission and then converting this measurement into an output signal. These thermometers are extremely helpful in situations that preclude the use of other sensors, whether due to certain interference or positioning problems.

Galileo thermometers, which use a cylinder filled with inert hydrocarbon liquid and various suspended weights, are typically chosen more for appearance than accuracy. Bimetal thermometers, on the other hand are used in a wide range of industrial applications. They consist of a coil, attached to an encased pointer, which expands relative to the temperature. As the temperature increases, the coil expands, pushing the pointer further; as it cools, the coil contracts.

A wide range of other specialized thermometers and temperature sensing devices are available through manufacturers and suppliers. These instruments can be used to control automated systems, log temperature variations or alert various safety mechanisms.