News

Radiometer sensors are essential tools in modern science and industry. They provide a non-contact means of measuring radiant energy—especially infrared radiation—making them indispensable for tasks ranging from environmental monitoring to high-precision manufacturing. As experts in thermal detection, Dexter Research supplies radiometric sensors that deliver the sensitivity and accuracy needed across these diverse fields.

What Is a Radiometer Sensor?

A radiometer is a device that measures radiant flux—the total power of electromagnetic radiation—emitted by a surface or object. Unlike contact-based thermometers, radiometers detect infrared energy remotely and calculate an object’s temperature or energy output based on that data. This makes them particularly valuable when the target is too hot, dangerous, or inaccessible for direct contact.

The core function of a radiometer sensor is grounded in radiometry, the science of measuring electromagnetic radiation across a wide spectrum. While visible light is part of this spectrum, radiometers are capable of detecting much broader ranges, including the infrared and ultraviolet bands.

Radiometry vs. Photometry: A Key Distinction

Radiometry and photometry both involve the measurement of light, but they serve different purposes:

• Radiometry quantifies all electromagnetic radiation, regardless of human perception. It uses units like radiant flux (watts) and spectral radiance.
• Photometry, by contrast, is limited to visible light and is weighted by the human eye’s response. It uses terms like luminous flux (lumens).

This distinction is critical when choosing sensors for scientific, industrial, or safety applications, where accurate infrared detection—not human brightness perception—is the goal.

How Radiometer Sensors Work

Radiometer sensors measure energy by detecting infrared radiation and converting it into an electrical signal. Key technical factors include:

• Field of View (FOV): The angular area the sensor observes. A narrower FOV targets specific objects, while a wider FOV collects radiation from larger areas.
• Spectral Distribution: The range of wavelengths the sensor is sensitive to. Different materials emit radiation differently across spectra; matching sensor response to the application ensures accuracy.
• Emissivity Correction: All surfaces emit IR energy at different efficiencies. Emissivity values must be factored into calculations to avoid skewed readings.
• Unit Solid Angle and Calibration: Radiometers are calibrated using unit solid angles and often reference standard wavelengths, such as 450 nm, which is close to the peak sensitivity of the human eye.

Modern radiometers, like those using thermopile detectors from Dexter Research, are finely tuned to deliver reliable data across varying ambient conditions.

Applications of Radiometer Sensors

Radiometers serve a broad range of scientific and industrial roles:

• Environmental Monitoring: Measuring land and sea surface temperatures, monitoring atmospheric energy balance.
• Industrial Process Control: Monitoring the thermal output of machinery or products to ensure consistency and safety.
• Scientific Research: Used in astrophysics, climatology, and remote sensing to measure radiation from celestial bodies or Earth systems.
• Medical and Safety Devices: Non-contact thermometers and thermal imagers operate on radiometric principles.

Dexter Research’s 2M thermopile detectors and high-temperature sensors are well-suited for high-sensitivity applications, offering precision even in demanding thermal environments.

Selecting the Right Radiometer Sensor

When choosing a radiometer, consider the following factors:

• Field of View: Determine the spatial scope of the target area.
• Spectral Range: Match the sensor’s sensitivity to the wavelength range relevant to the application.
• Temperature Range: Choose sensors rated for the expected temperature extremes.
• Calibration and Emissivity: Ensure the device supports emissivity correction and regular calibration routines.

Dexter Research’s sensor portfolio includes models optimized for specific spectral windows and customizable FOVs, enabling tailored solutions for diverse applications.

Interested in Radiometer Sensors?

Radiometer sensors are foundational to non-contact temperature and energy measurements across science, industry, and safety. By detecting infrared radiation with precision and speed, these instruments provide actionable insights without disturbing the target. With decades of expertise in thermopile technology, Dexter Research offers a wide array of radiometric detectors to meet the evolving needs of researchers, engineers, and system integrators.

Understanding and quantifying the sun’s total broadband radiation is essential for advancing solar energy, climate science, and photonics. The sun emits energy across a vast range of wavelengths, from ultraviolet (UV) through visible light and into the infrared (IR). Accurately capturing this radiation informs solar power design, atmospheric modeling, and the development of optical technologies. Dexter Research supports this effort with precision-engineered solar detectors that enable researchers and engineers to measure solar irradiance with high fidelity.

The Solar Radiation Spectrum

Solar radiation spans the entire electromagnetic spectrum, but most of the sun’s energy reaching Earth lies between 0.3 and 2.5 micrometers, covering UV, visible, and IR wavelengths. The term total broadband radiation refers to the sum of radiation across this full spectral range. Measuring this radiation comprehensively requires sensors that respond effectively across multiple wavelength bands.

It wasn’t until the late 1970s that scientists obtained the first measurements of total solar irradiance from space. These findings provided critical insight into Earth’s energy balance and highlighted the need for accurate ground- and satellite-based solar detectors.

Types of Solar Detectors

Two key types of instruments are commonly used to measure solar broadband radiation:

• Pyranometers: Designed to measure total solar irradiance on a flat plane, pyranometers capture both direct sunlight and diffuse sky radiation. They are widely used in meteorological stations, solar farms, and atmospheric research.
• Radiometers: Unlike pyranometers, radiometers often target specific wavelength bands. They are ideal for detailed spectral studies, space-based observations, and photonic research requiring selective measurement.

Both types rely on highly sensitive detectors, and Dexter Research’s thermopile-based solutions play a critical role in their performance.

Thermopile Detectors and the Seebeck Effect

At the core of many solar detectors is a thermopile detector. These devices use the Seebeck effect, where a voltage is generated in response to a temperature difference between junctions of dissimilar materials.

When solar radiation strikes the absorber surface of a thermopile, it raises the temperature relative to a cold junction. This temperature difference produces a voltage that is directly proportional to the absorbed energy. Thermopile detectors are well-suited for broadband applications because they respond uniformly to a wide range of wavelengths.

Dexter Research’s thermopile technology ensures high sensitivity, low noise, and long-term stability—critical features for continuous solar monitoring.

Measurement Techniques and Considerations

Solar detectors quantify irradiance, typically expressed in watts per square meter (W/m²). To ensure accurate readings, several factors must be managed:

• Spectral Response: The detector must be calibrated to reflect the actual distribution of solar energy across wavelengths.
• Calibration Standards: Instruments are calibrated against traceable standards to ensure data integrity over time.
• Environmental Conditions: Factors such as tilt angle, cleanliness of the sensor window, and temperature can influence readings and must be controlled or compensated for.

High-quality detectors with broad spectral sensitivity and rigorous calibration provide the most reliable measurements.

Applications and Impact

Solar broadband measurement is foundational in many fields:

• Solar Energy Systems: Assess solar resource availability, optimize panel alignment, and monitor performance over time.
• Climate Science: Feed critical data into Earth system models to understand radiative forcing and global energy dynamics.
• Photonics and Optics: Guide the design of coatings, filters, and lenses that interact with solar energy.
• Agriculture: Support precision farming by correlating solar input with crop development.
• Environmental Monitoring: Track changes in solar input that influence atmospheric chemistry and surface temperature.

Dexter Research Solutions

Dexter Research offers a range of solar detectors that support both broadband and selective spectral measurements. With options tailored to UV, visible, and IR detection, these sensors combine rugged construction with exceptional precision. Whether embedded in pyranometers, radiometers, or integrated systems, Dexter’s thermopile detectors provide consistent, accurate results in demanding field conditions.

Digital interface options and miniaturized formats further enhance usability across research, industrial, and energy applications.

Learn More About Solar Detectors

Capturing the full scope of the sun’s broadband radiation is critical for advancing renewable energy, climate research, and photonic innovation. By leveraging thermopile detectors and expertly calibrated instrumentation, solar detectors translate sunlight into actionable data. Dexter Research continues to support this mission with a portfolio of reliable, high-performance solutions designed for today’s solar measurement challenges.

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) sensing plays a pivotal role in environmental monitoring, indoor air quality management, industrial process control, and greenhouse optimization. As concerns about air quality and climate resilience grow, the demand for accurate and continuous CO₂ monitoring intensifies. NDIR (non-dispersive infrared) technology has become the go-to method for detecting CO₂ due to its precision, longevity, and robustness. At the heart of many such sensors are thermopile detectors, including those engineered by Dexter Research.

Why Is CO₂ Hard to Measure?

CO₂ is invisible, odorless, and non-reactive under normal conditions, making it difficult to detect without specialized instruments. Traditional chemical and electrochemical methods can suffer from limited lifespans, cross-sensitivity to other gases, and slow response times. NDIR overcomes these challenges by targeting a specific infrared absorption band unique to CO₂.

The Principle of NDIR CO₂ Detection

NDIR sensors detect CO₂ by focusing on its strong infrared absorption band near 4.26 micrometers (µm). When IR light of this wavelength passes through a gas sample, CO₂ molecules absorb part of it. The amount of light absorbed is directly related to the gas concentration, governed by the Beer–Lambert law:

A = ε × c × l
Where:

• A is absorbance
• ε is the molar absorptivity of CO₂
• c is the concentration
• l is the path length of the IR beam

By measuring the intensity of transmitted light (I) and comparing it to the original intensity (I₀), the sensor calculates the absorbance and infers CO₂ concentration.

Sensor Architecture: Tailored for CO₂

NDIR CO₂ sensors include the following key components:

• IR Source: Emits broadband infrared radiation.
• Optical Filter: Precisely selects the 4.26 µm wavelength corresponding to CO₂ absorption.
• Gas Cell or Waveguide: Directs the IR beam through the gas sample; folded or reflective waveguides can extend the optical path in a compact form.
• Thermopile Detector: Converts transmitted IR radiation into an electrical signal.
• Reference Channel: Measures a nearby non-absorbing wavelength to provide a stable baseline.

This configuration enables continuous, real-time detection with minimal interference from other gases.

Signal Processing and Calibration

Once the detector captures the IR signal, electronics calculate the absorbance and convert it into a concentration value using stored calibration curves. To ensure accuracy over time, NDIR CO₂ sensors often include:

• Baseline Self-Calibration: Algorithms periodically recalibrate the sensor using the lowest CO₂ value observed over a defined interval.
• Sealed Reference Cells: Provide a known standard for high-precision applications.
• Temperature and Pressure Compensation: Adjust readings for environmental conditions that affect IR absorption.

The output is typically available as a digital (UART, I²C) or analog (4–20 mA) signal, making it easy to integrate with building automation or industrial systems.

Why NDIR for CO₂?

NDIR sensors offer distinct advantages:

• High Selectivity: Tuned to CO₂’s unique absorption band.
• Non-Consumptive: Does not alter or consume the sample gas.
• Long-Term Stability: Resistant to drift and contamination.
• Fast Response: Real-time monitoring with short lag time.
• Low Maintenance: Minimal recalibration compared to chemical sensors.

In contrast, electrochemical and chemical sensors degrade over time, require frequent replacement, and may respond to similar gases.

Use Cases: Where NDIR CO₂ Sensors Excel

Application Area	Example Uses
Indoor Air Quality	Smart thermostats, ventilation control
Greenhouse Monitoring	CO₂ enrichment and control
Industrial Process Control	Safety and combustion efficiency
Building Automation	Demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) systems
Safety Alarms	Confined space CO₂ monitoring

The ability to provide real-time, reliable measurements makes NDIR CO₂ sensors a mainstay in smart infrastructure.

Emerging Innovations

Recent developments have enhanced the performance and usability of NDIR CO₂ sensors:

• Miniaturized Waveguides: Deliver extended path lengths in smaller packages.
• Digital Interfaces: UART and I²C simplify integration with microcontrollers and IoT platforms.
• Low-Power Designs: Support long-life, battery-operated devices.
• Smart Algorithms: Enable auto-calibration and real-time diagnostics.

These features are driving the adoption of NDIR CO₂ sensing in wearables, portable instruments, and smart home systems.

Looking for NDIR Sensors?

NDIR CO₂ sensors leverage selective infrared absorption to provide accurate, real-time monitoring of carbon dioxide levels. With tailored optical components, built-in reference channels, and advanced signal processing, they offer a robust solution for today’s air quality and safety needs. Dexter Research’s thermopile detectors are central to many of these systems, providing the performance and stability required across industries. As demand for precise gas sensing grows, NDIR remains the trusted standard for CO₂ detection.

Motion sensors are integral to modern automation, from lighting and HVAC control to security systems. Among the available technologies, passive infrared (PIR) sensors stand out for their simplicity, reliability, and efficiency. Dexter Research, a leader in infrared detection, has decades of experience engineering thermal sensing solutions that drive innovation in this field. In this post, we’ll explore why PIR sensors are ideally suited for motion detection and how they deliver both technical and user-centric benefits across a wide range of applications.

Understanding Passive Infrared Sensing

All objects emit thermal infrared radiation, with intensity proportional to their temperature. PIR sensors take advantage of this by detecting fluctuations in infrared energy caused by moving warm bodies — typically humans or animals — within a given scene.

The core of a PIR sensor includes two elements that respond to temperature changes. These elements are shielded beneath a Fresnel lens, which concentrates infrared energy onto the sensor. The dual-element setup ensures that minor ambient changes are ignored, while true movement — such as a person walking past — produces a differential signal that activates a response.

How PIR Motion Sensors Work

When a warm object moves across the sensor’s field of view, it causes a sequential change — one element sees a rise in IR, followed by the other. This sequence creates a differential signal that the sensor electronics interpret as motion.

Key components include:

• Fresnel Lens: Creates distinct detection zones, shaping the field of view.
• Low-Power Electronics: PIR sensors typically operate at microamp currents, making them ideal for battery-powered devices.
  

Why PIR Sensors Are Ideal for Motion Detection

Feature	Benefit
Works in light or dark	Detects thermal radiation, independent of ambient lighting
Differentiates humans from background	Sensitive to thermal signatures of living beings
Low energy consumption	Consumes microamps at idle, ideal for long-life batteries
Non-invasive and privacy-respecting	Senses motion without capturing images or personal data
Cost-effective and reliable	Affordable and proven across diverse industries
Versatile applications	Suitable for alarms, lighting, HVAC, automatic doors, dispensers, and more

This combination of low power draw, environmental robustness, and privacy preservation makes PIR the default choice for motion detection in both consumer and industrial settings.

Real-World Applications of PIR Motion Sensors

PIR technology is embedded in everyday systems including:

• Security alarms that detect unauthorized movement
• Lighting systems that activate only when needed
• Thermostats that optimize energy use based on occupancy
• Automatic doors and hygiene dispensers in commercial spaces
• Smart home presence sensors, such as Dexter Research’s unit with a two-foot detection range for proximity applications
  

From building automation to bespoke embedded devices, PIR sensors provide scalable and adaptable solutions.

Deployment Considerations and Best Practices

To get the most out of a PIR sensor, designers should consider the following:

• Field of View: Fresnel lenses create zones of high and low sensitivity. Selecting the right lens shape and orientation tailors detection to specific environments.
• Minimizing False Alarms: Position sensors away from heat vents or rapidly changing temperature zones. Fine-tune sensitivity thresholds to avoid triggering from stationary heat sources.
• System Integration: PIR sensors easily interface with microcontrollers and smart platforms, enabling event-driven automation for lights, alarms, and more.

Installation tips include mounting sensors at standard heights (typically 6–8 feet) and angling them to monitor expected motion paths effectively.

Interested in Motion Sensor Unit Solutions?

Passive infrared sensors strike the perfect balance of performance, efficiency, and discretion in motion detection. Their ability to function reliably across diverse lighting and environmental conditions, while consuming minimal power, makes them indispensable across industries. At Dexter Research, we continue to push the boundaries of thermal sensing — offering PIR solutions that are compact, customizable, and proven in real-world applications for motion sensor units.

When technology for presence detection is employed in a location, it’s done so knowing that it can add a robust level of security, lower energy waste, and deliver convenience to those who visit the space. Essentially, presence detection is applied to reveal if there is anyone in a certain environment. Presence detection tools are utilized in numerous applications, from identifying intruders that enter a home to patient observation. Let’s find out more about the different types of technologies available for presence detection.

Infrared Sensors

What are Infrared Sensors?

An infrared sensor is a device applied to undertake motion sensing, temperature measurements, and presence detection. These sensors can identify infrared radiation (IR), also known as heat energy, before transforming it into an electrical signal. It’s the quantification of this heat that allows the infrared sensor to understand if an individual is in a location.

How Do Infrared Sensors Operate?

Thermopiles are utilized within infrared sensors for transforming thermal energy into electrical energy. They’re made up of thermocouples that can help produce a voltage, which is based upon temperature variations. These thermocouples are connected either in parallel or series and work together to boost an output voltage.

Every object with a temperature over absolute zero will produce IR, in other words heat. This is something that the thermopile is sensitive to, absorbing it through a black-coated surface. The thermopile’s thermocouples contain a cold junction, which acts as a reference point. It also has a hot junction, which comes into contact with the IR that’s been absorbed. If differing temperatures are identified then a voltage is produced, this voltage increasing with higher temperature differences.

From there, the sensor is able to boost the voltage signal and process it, quantifying the differences in temperature between the environment and an object. These temperature-related insights are then used to deliver presence detection.

Benefits

Infrared sensors do not need to experience physical contact to be able to identify a presence. They operate passively, ergo they do not emit signals and are less intrusive. Moreover, they offer a quick response time and have an extensive operating range. They’re also privacy-friendly, since they only identify heat instead of visuals, and durable, as they do not have any moving parts and, thus, are less likely to experience wear.

Ultrasonic Sensors

What are Ultrasonic Sensors?

For those that need technology that does not necessitate visual contact to identify movement, ultrasonic sensors are the answer. Ultrasonic sensors are able to pinpoint people or objects within a space by using sound waves.

How Do Ultrasonic Sensors Operate?

These sensors release high-frequency sound waves, that are usually over 20 kHz, which will hit an object. The sound waves will then be sent back towards the sensor. Once they reach, the sensor will quantify the amount of time that was needed for their return to take place, utilizing this time to discover the distance required to reach the object. Its outcome will show whether a change has occurred in the location. The ability to continuously monitor reflections help the sensor to learn about any movement or presences.

Benefits

Ultrasonic sensors can work in various lighting conditions, including darkness. They also offer sensing capabilities that traverse through thin barriers, such as fabric. Additionally, physical interaction is not needed for ultrasonic sensors to recognize a presence, meaning it can be utilized with inaccessible areas.

Pressure and Weight Sensors

What are Pressure and Weight Sensors?

Pressure and weight sensors offer presence detection when they experience contact from an object or person. Some of examples of these sensors include:

• Piezoelectric sensors: Produce an electric charge in relation to mechanical stress.
• Load cells: Calculate the amount of weight that occurs on a surface and turns it into an electrical signal.
• Capacitive pressure sensors: Deliver measurements of any alterations in capacitance that occur due to pressure on a material.

How do Pressure and Weight Sensors Operate?

Usually found in pads, mats, beds, and seats, pressure and weight sensors can understand any changes that occur when a surface experiences weight, force, or pressure. If this happens, the sensor produces a signal indicating additional processing is required to see if there’s an object in the vicinity. It does this to also learn about the object’s potential weight.

Benefits

These sensors offer excellent accuracy when identifying changes in pressure and weight, delivering reliability if utilized in a fixed location. They’re also non-intrusive, possessing the ability to function without being identified either audibly or visually.

Select a Key Technology In Presence Detection That Works For You

The right technology for presence detection can do wonders for your security. Therefore it’s important to think carefully about which device would be suitable for your application. If you’re still unsure about what type of motion detectors or presence detection tools could work for you, we would recommend that you take a look at our thermopile sensors. These can be applied to motion detectors and have excellent sensitivity and an extensive lifespan. Our sensors are devices that you can trust to help you take control of your security. Have a look at our products and learn more about what our technology can do.

The balance between upholding security and maintaining privacy can be tricky to sustain when deciding upon a suitable solution for monitoring a location. Surveillance cameras may not be the right option. The data they capture is extremely specific and can divulge personal details. This can cause issues with privacy should the footage be misused. Instead of utilizing these cameras, passive infrared (PIR) detection may be the way forward. Sensors that use PIR hone in on infrared radiation rather than record videos or images. Join us as we look at PIR sensors and delve into what helps them to be privacy-friendly.

Defining PIR Detection

Thanks to their capability to identify infrared radiation, passive infrared sensors tend to be applied to motion detection. Infrared radiation, a form of heat energy, is released from objects that hold a temperature higher than absolute zero. When the PIR sensor is placed in an environment, it’s able to identify differences between the levels of infrared in the location and any objects that enter into it. By pinpointing these changes, PIR sensors are able to detect movement.

The incorporation of thermopiles help PIR sensors to identify any variations in temperature. Thermopiles are made up of thermocouples that are attached either in parallel or series. They can recognize the infrared radiation that occurs from objects that are warm, such as animals or people. Should one of these objects come into the location monitored by a PIR sensor, its thermopile will note a change in the infrared radiation. It will then produce a small voltage in response to the object’s heat. This voltage alteration is read by the sensor as motion. From this, it will produce a response, like setting off an alarm or turning on a light.

Being imbued with the ability to detect motion means that PIR sensors are used within a variety of applications, such as security systems, smart home devices, and automatic lighting. PIR sensors are even found in nursing homes, delivering alerts about inactivity and activity. They can monitor sleep patterns and are used to detect any falls that take place.

Preserving Privacy With Passive Infrared Detectors

Privacy is a factor that will affect your choice of motion detector. These devices keep track of the movement of people in a space. Consequently they can gather sensitive information about them, including their routines and behaviors. If not handled carefully, an invasion of privacy can occur. It’s important to pick a motion detector that can establish privacy, and thus help people feel at ease in its presence. PIR sensors are known as privacy-friendly devices, unlike other devices like microphones or cameras.

1. No Imagery or Audio

PIR sensors solely identify infrared radiation and are only able to understand if alterations in heat occur. They cannot keep track of any audio or imagery. Therefore, the problem of voice identification or facial recognition does not need to be worried about. PIR sensors can help preserve anonymity, ensuring that there is nothing captured that would define an individual. These sensors can only detect that motion has occurred, rather than that a specific someone has caused the motion to take place.

2. Data Breaches

If a motion detector is the target of a data breach, there’s the risk of sensitive information being leaked. Systems that incorporate microphones or cameras could end up showing:

• Vulnerable areas in security
• The location patterns of different people
• Personal spaces like bedrooms, bathrooms, and homes.

PIR sensors cannot provide identifiable information, such as visuals. Ergo should a data breach occur, there is less chance that it will disclose personal data.

3. Simplicity

The simplicity of PIR sensors is a strength when it comes to privacy. It delivers a binary output, reacting to movement by generating a signal that’s either “on” or “off”. PIR sensors do not hold onto complicated data. Therefore, it’s unlikely that sensitive data could end up being revealed.

4. Sensitivity

A helpful attribute of PIR sensors is their configurable sensitivity. Their sensitivity can be altered to disregard low heat signatures, thus they will not be triggered unnecessarily. The adjustability of a PIR sensor’s detection capacity means they can deliver a level of coverage that will not encroach upon privacy.

5. Localized Processing

Data from a PIR sensor does not need to be transmitted externally to be processed. Instead, as the motion detection occurs in the PIR sensor, it’s able to undertake localized processing. Ergo, none of the motion data will need to be sent over networks. This can lower the possibility of sensitive information being accessed without permission.

Establish PIR Detection As Your Choice of Privacy-Friendly Motion Sensing

Your selection of security should provide you with a sense of confidence, not cause you to experience more concerns relating to privacy issues. PIR sensors can help you to keep an eye over an environment, alerting you to any changes in heat levels without intruding upon privacy. 

If you want to ensure your security is the best it can be, we have thermopile detectors listed on our website that can help you achieve this ambition. PIR systems can incorporate these detectors. Their extensive lifespan, reduced energy consumption, and robust sensitivity will ensure they’ll be effective when you task them with monitoring your space. You can find our thermopile detectors used for security here.

With so much at risk of being harmed by a fire, a method of detection is needed to alert people to the danger. Non-contact temperature measurement devices can solve this issue. These types of sensors are able to quantify the temperature of an object without needing to touch it. Below we provide further insights on non-contact temperature sensors, in particular infrared thermometers, and discuss how these devices can be utilized for fire detection.

Understanding Non-Contact Temperature Sensors

The emergence of a fire can make a location a treacherous place to be in due to the level of heat. When these situations occur, it can be helpful to have a device that can provide non-contact temperature measurements. Non-contact temperature sensors can deliver these temperature measurements without needing to be in contact with the object. Their non-contact temperature measurements stem from their ability to identify infrared radiation, which is a form of heat energy. Every object will project a certain amount of infrared radiation. If the object experiences an increase in temperature, its infrared radiation will become more intense. A non-contact temperature sensor can pinpoint this radiation and examine it to quantify the temperature from the object’s surface.

There are a number of non-contact temperature measurement devices that can be utilized to provide temperature measurements. One such example is infrared thermometers. They’re constructed with a lens that can hone the infrared light in on a thermopile. A thermopile is a sensor with the capability to transform the infrared radiation into heat. This is through the use of its thermocouples, which are placed either in a series or parallel. These thermocouples are made up of two metals. One acts as a reference and is cooler (known as the cold junction). The other is able to identify heat (defined as the hot junction). When the hot junction experiences a change in temperature compared to the cold junction, an electrical voltage occurs. The electrical voltage is then used to quantify the temperature.

Other sensors are also available that can deliver non-contact temperature measurements, including:

• Thermographic cameras: Provide a visual depiction of any temperature alterations that take place across the surface of an object.
• Pyrometers: Like infrared thermometers, they utilize thermopiles and detect infrared radiation to quantify temperatures. The difference between them is that pyrometers tend to be used in applications with increased temperatures, normally between 700 and 3200°C, offering extremely accurate measurements in heated conditions.
• Laser pyrometers: Contain a laser pointer to ensure the right item has its temperature measured.

Applying Infrared Thermometers And Their Non-Contact Temperature Measurements to Fire Detection

Infrared thermometers offer non-contact temperature measurements of surfaces or locations, therefore they’re extremely useful for detecting fires. They can quantify temperatures through identifying radiation levels, helping to prevent fires from occurring by noting the heat signatures that come from the increased temperature of a surface. Even if the fire is not visible, the measurements from infrared thermometers can indicate a temperature spike. Consequently, this gives time for intervention to prevent an incident from taking place.

The fact that infrared thermometers do not require any physical contact with an object to establish its temperature is an excellent advantage. Thus, they can be utilized with applications that are deemed unsafe, such as high-voltage electrical panels. Moreover, their non-contact temperature measurements can be achieved at a distance. This distance can ensure safety even when infrared thermometers are used in dangerous environments, such as confined spaces.

It’s common to find infrared thermometers in high-risk areas. They can provide warnings about rising temperatures and, ultimately, the risk of fire. Infrared thermometers can be used in plants and factories to watch for any signs of overheating equipment. Afterall, overheating apparatus could be the cause of a fire. By identifying equipment that’s overheated, preventative action can be taken to rectify these temperatures.

Although infrared thermometers can prove extremely beneficial for preventing fires from taking place, they can also be helpful when a fire does occur. Infrared thermometers can help firefighters to find the source of a fire, offering heat detection as a way of pinpointing the fire even when smoke causes navigation issues.

Infrared Thermometer Placement

Non-contact temperature measurements from infrared thermometers are useful for preventing potential fires. Therefore, they tend to be used in a variety of different locations:

• Electrical systems: Discovering faults or hotspots in wiring and circuit breakers.
• Construction: Identifying insulation problems or heat loss.
• Transport: Quantifying the temperatures of exhaust systems and engines.
• Laboratories: Examining the temperatures used in equipment or experiments.

You Can Stop The Outbreak Of A Fire With The Right Device

Preventative measures must be taken to stop fires before they do serious harm. With our thermopile technology, you can utilize the power of sensors to keep watch over your locations. Give yourself peace-of-mind and confidence that there will always be a detector watching carefully for the temperature signs of a fire. Visit our website now and browse through the detectors we have available for fire prevention.

Infrared radiation can be found everywhere, from natural phenomena, including forest fires and lava flows, and body heat emitted from humans, to more artificial creations, like incandescent light bulbs, remote controls, and infrared lamps. Motion detection is one area where infrared radiation can be of use. Passive infrared (PIR) detection technology can be applied to identify any alterations that occur in the infrared radiation within a location. Thanks to this capability, PIR detectors can be utilized in motion detection systems, like automatic lighting and security alarms. Today, we’ll look at PIR detectors in more detail and uncover how these sensors work.

Explaining PIR Detection

What is a PIR Detector?

PIR detectors are sensors that can recognize infrared radiation. Although they do not produce any energy, they can passively identify the infrared radiation that’s generated from other objects. When a change occurs in the infrared radiation of an environment, the PIR detector is able to recognize it. These alterations usually relate to the differing temperatures of the object and the location. So, let’s say a warm object, for instance a human body, starts moving around an area. If it’s in the view of the PIR detector, the detector will be able to sense that something has changed. This is because there will be a variation in the infrared radiation. The location will have a lower temperature than a warmer object. Therefore, the location will have less infrared radiation compared to the object.

Arrangement of PIR Detectors

PIR detectors are made up of the following components that identify the infrared radiation and transform it into the electric signal needed for motion detection:

• Thermopile: Utilized to quantify temperature changes, a thermopile is a type of sensor which is composed of various thermocouples that are linked either parallel or in a series. When applied to a PIR system, a thermopile sensor can transform infrared radiation into an electrical signal. Its main objective is to identify any alterations that occur with the infrared radiation, using its thermocouples to pinpoint any temperature changes, which can indicate movement after its electrical voltage has been processed. 
• Fresnel Lens: A Fresnel lens is applied to PIR detectors to improve location coverage. It’s made of plastic and has concentric ridges that hone the infrared radiation in on the thermopile sensor. With a fresnel lens concentrating the infrared radiation onto the thermopile, it will be able to identify even the most minute movements. 
• Infrared Filter: The filter can ensure that only infrared radiation wavelengths can pass through and meet the thermopile sensor. It can prevent alternative radiation types, like UV or visible light, from getting through, making sure that relevant thermal signals are what cause the detector to respond. This component can help to enhance accuracy and lower false triggers.
• Processing Circuitry: Electric signals produced from the thermopile can be changed into data through processing circuitry. It can ensure the electrical signals are changed into an output.
• Housing: The components are protected within a protective enclosure.

How PIR Detectors Function

PIR detectors can identify movement by watching for any alterations that occur with the infrared radiation. These detectors contain a thermopile sensor that takes in the infrared radiation of a location. Once a warm object enters that area, and moves about it, this causes the infrared radiation to experience a change. The alteration is noted by the thermopile and its thermocouples produce an electrical voltage, which occurs if they experience heat. This is when the detector’s circuitry comes into play. It’s able to process the voltage change, increasing the signal and ascertaining whether movement has taken place. Should it be decided that there is movement, the PIR system is set off, undertaking actions like switching on lights or causing alarms.

Benefits of PIR Detectors

Security is something that can be offered by PIR detectors. They can be applied with other security technologies or they can be utilized by themselves for identifying intruders. PIR detectors can also be used to initiate alarms or lights to ensure any trespassers are deterred from entering.

An additional advantage of using PIR sensors is their reduced false alarm rates. They’re unlikely to produce a false alarm, especially in comparison with microwave and ultrasonic detectors. Their robust accuracy ensures that they’re not activated without cause and they can preserve their energy. Finally, these devices can help to ease activities in daily life. They offer simple installation and take away the requirement of a light switch, ensuring places like staircases and hallways deliver automatic lighting when someone enters a space.

Make Every Movement Count With PIR Detection

No matter where you need PIR detection, its effectiveness in motion detectors cannot be denied. Take control of your security with the detectors from Dexter Research Center. Thermopile detectors can be applied to PIR systems, as the sensitivity of thermopiles plays a key factor in identifying infrared radiation. Our detectors offer extensive benefits, including high levels of sensitivity and a robust lifespan, being the devices you need to keep an attentive eye over a location. We can provide you with more information about the capabilities of our thermopile detectors. Utilize our experience and knowledge to find a quality detector that can identify motion with ease.