While the use of medical thermometers existed over the years, the year 2020 simply accelerated this usage to control the spread of the coronavirus. This compelled the medical thermometer manufacturers to scale their production to meet their demand at healthcare centers, hospitals, and other public places. Medical thermometers are of two types – Contact and Non-contact Infrared Thermometers. In this blog post, we will explore the differences by comparing Contact Thermometers vs Non-contact Infrared Thermometers.
Therefore, if you’re looking for contact and non-contact medical thermometer suppliers, make sure to give this blog post a good read. It describes the main advantages of a non-contact infrared thermometer over a contact thermometer type. Let’s take a look!
Introduction to Thermometers
Measuring temperature is a common process performed in various industries such as mechanical, medical, civil, manufacturing, food processing, agriculture, quality control, etc. Temperature monitoring is crucial for monitoring the quality of fruits, vegetables, and perishables, after it is produced at source, during movement, and destination. This measurement is done using different types of contact thermometers.
Due to severe pandemics like the COVID-19 pandemic, it has become crucial to measure the body temperature of individuals entering premises to check if it is due to illness or infection. Since the disease is contagious, it is necessary to maintain a distance of about six feet to measure the body temperature. This type of measurement is performed using non-contact infrared thermometers.
Contact Thermometers vs Non-contact Infrared Thermometers – What Are They
Contact Thermometer
This type of thermometer involves contact with the item whose temperature needs to be measured. There are various types of contact thermometers to measure the temperature of food, liquid, semi-solid, air, surface, human body, etc. Contact thermometers work based on the principles of thermocouple, RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector), and thermistor. Since this type of thermometer uses external probes, there are also referred to as probe thermometers.
Non-contact Infrared Thermometer
This type of medical thermometer does not involve contact with any surface or human body. A non-contact thermometer works using an infrared sensor. It measures reflected radiations of infrared waves from the item that is being measured. Infrared rays are invisible and have greater wavelengths than visible light.
Contact Thermometers vs Non-contact Infrared Thermometers – Advantages
The demand for non-contact infrared has increased enormously during the global pandemic. It’s because it offers numerous advantages over contact thermometers. However, we cannot deny the fact that contact thermometers are not a preferable device for temperature measurement. These thermometers also offer a good number of advantages.
Advantages of a Contact Thermometer
- Due to its close body or surface contact, the thermometer provides extremely accurate temperature measurements.
- A contact thermometer provides diverse temperature measurements.
- It provides a shorter measurement response time.
- It is a very affordable option to measure temperature.
- Since it operates based on surface contact, it can work in perilous and unclean environments.
Advantages of a Non-contact Infrared Thermometer
- A non-contact infrared helps in measuring extreme temperatures with no safety issues.
- It allows you to quickly measure temperature with the pull of a trigger button.
- It eliminates the risk of contamination as it ensures contactless measurement.
- It is lightweight and compact.
- The thermometer helps in measuring the temperature of inaccessible items or surface parts.
One of the most important advantages of non-contact thermometers over contact thermometers is that it offers a non-contact functionality for temperature measurement. Therefore, in the contact thermometer vs non-contact thermometer battle, the latter is the clear winner.
If you’re searching for non-contact infrared thermometer wholesale supplies, you can contact Co-Defend right away!
Contact Thermometers vs Non-contact Infrared Thermometers Comparison
Now let’s dive into the side-by-side comparison of contact thermometers vs non-contact infrared thermometers:
| Key Parameters | Contact Thermometer | Non-contact Infrared Thermometer |
| How it works | It involves contact to carry out
temperature measurement since it operates based on the heat transfer phenomenon. |
It is a contactless way of measuring temperature as it uses infrared waves. |
| Types | They are divided into
thermocouple, RTD (Resistance Temperature Detector), and Thermistor based on the type of sensor.
|
Infrared thermometers are
categorized into two types – active and passive based on the type of sensor and its principle of function.
|
| Temperature measurement of liquids or gases | It’s possible to measure | Cannot be measured |
| Environment | It can work in an unclean environment | It requires a clean environment |
| Cost | Inexpensive | Expensive |
| External power or battery | Does not require | It requires |
| Measurement time | Takes more time | Takes less time |
| Risk of contamination | Yes | No |
| Complexity level | Complex | Simple and easy |
| Measurement accuracy | Very accurate | Moderate-high accuracy level based on the model |
| Measurement of inaccessible objects/surface | Not possible | Possible |
Conclusion
So, these are the core differences between contact thermometers vs non-contact infrared thermometers. If you’re searching for non-contact medical thermometer supplies, you can visit Co-Defend to shop at affordable price rates.
We have a large network of medical thermometer manufacturers and suppliers who provide all types of contact and non-contact infrared thermometer wholesale supplies.
Frequently Asked Question
Q.1. How much does a non-contact infrared thermometer cost?
Ans. The cost of a non-contact infrared thermometer ranges between $15 and $26 per piece. However, it may vary according to the brand, quality, and features.
Q.2. How accurate is a non-contact infrared thermometer?
Ans. The clinical accuracy of the non-contact infrared thermometer is 97%. The negative predictive value is 99%, which is crucial to predict fever and eliminate unwanted laboratory workup.
Got More Questions? Feel Free to Ask Our Experts.