Fieldpiece ATIR3 User Manual

Infrared Temperature
Accessory Head
Model: ATIR3

Description

The ATIR3 collects infrared energy and converts
it to a millivolt DC signal that is proportional to the
temperature being measured. The temperature
measured will be the average of all the tempera­tures in the cone of viewability. The closer you are
to the target, the smaller the area. The further away,
the larger the area measured.

The ATIR3 converts the Fieldpiece “Stick” series
meter, DL3 data logger, and EHDL1 electronic han­dle to a one-piece infrared temperature meter. Use
the optional Fieldpiece ADLS2 deluxe silicone test
leads or the AHDL1 adapter handle with the ATIR3
for use with DMMs with industry standard jacks.

EHDL1 AHDL1w/DMM DL3 “Stick”

IR temperature measurement

When something is hot, it radiates infrared (IR)
energy. The hotter it is, the more infrared energy. If
there's enough of it, you can feel it. The ATIR3
infrared accessory head collects infrared energy
from a cone-shaped viewing area and measures
the total amount of energy collected. The ATIR3
converts the total energy measured to a tempera­ture. Distance doesn't matter because the further
you go from the target, the increase in area "seen"
by the sensor exactly balances the loss of energy
collected from a given area.

If you want to get the temperature of something
small, such as a pipe, you must get close enough
so the pipe takes up the whole viewing area circle.
Otherwise the pipe and the background tempera­tures will be averaged into the reading.

The accuracy of many infrared temperature
measuring systems is adversely affected by ambi­ent temperature.

You need to be aware that if the target surface is
reflective enough, it may reflect infrared from other
objects. For example, if you take a reading of a
shiny metal surface, the infrared energy of your face
may reflect enough energy off the surface to affect
the reading.

"Emissivity" of the target surface also affects the
temperature reading. For a given temperature, the
higher the emissivity, the higher the reading. The
lower the emissivity, the lower the reading.

Emissivity of a surface indicates how easy it is for
the infrared to get out. Emissivity for a dull, black
surface is high (nearly 100%) so it's easy for the
infrared to get out. Emissivity for a shiny surface
can be much lower. If the emissivity is low, the
measured temperature will be lower than actual.
For relative readings of the same kind of surface,
this isn't a problem. For some applications, it may
be necessary to spray dull, black paint on the target
to insure a more accurate reading.

For best accuracy use contact sensors (thermo­couples, thermistors, etc.) anytime you take a tem­perature measurement. Infrared instruments should
only be used when you aren’t able to touch the sur­face to be measured.

Applications

The infrared temperature measurement is fast
and easy. It works best for fast readings, relative
readings (one to another or the same one at differ­ent times), or temperature readings of hard to reach
places. The following are some applications:

• Heating and air conditioning where fast and/or

easy measurement is most important.

• Motor bearings: high temperature can indicate

bearings that might need replacement.

• Circuit breakers: a circuit breaker that is not
operating properly can get hot. By scanning a
panel, you will be able to find the hot one.

• Poor power line connections: a bad connection
can get hot.

Operation

1. Connect to COM and Volts jacks of meter. Just
slide it onto the EHDL1, DL3 or “stick” meter. You
can also connect to other DMMs by using the
AHDL1 adapter or ADLS2 deluxe silicone leads.

2. Switch to mVDC range on your meter and read
the average temperature directly in ºF or ºC of
everything in the cone of viewability.

3. To keep temperature interference to a mini­mum, always try to keep your hands below bottom
half of the ATIR3.

Auto off

When the ATIR3 is turned on and the auto off is
switched on, you must hold MEAS to read temper­ature.

When auto off is switched off, the temperature
will continue to be read until you move the power
switch off. The MEAS button does nothing when
auto off is disabled. It is particularly useful to have
auto off disabled when data logging with the DL3.

Cone of viewability

The ATIR3 takes it’s measurement from a circle
of a size determined by a simple ratio of 8:1. The
diameter of this circle is 1/8 the distance between
the target and the tip of the ATIR3. For example, if
you’re standing 16 feet from your target, the size of
the circle you’re taking the average temperature of
will be 2 feet wide.

Warranty

The product is warranted to the original purchas­er against defects in material or workmanship for a
period of one (1) year from the date of purchase.
During the warranty period, Fieldpiece Instruments
will, at its option, replace or repair the defective unit.

This warranty does not apply to defects resulting
from abuse, neglect, accident, unauthorized repair,
alteration, or unreasonable use of the instrument.
Any implied warranty arising out of the sale of
Fieldpiece's products including but not limited to
implied warranties of merchantability, and fitness for
purpose, are limited to the above. Fieldpiece shall
not be liable for incidental or consequential dam­ages.

Service

Return any defective ATIR3 to Fieldpiece for war­ranty service along with proof of purchase. Contact
Fieldpiece for out of warranty repair charges

Specifications

Conversion rate: 1mVDC per 1ºF
Resolution: 0.1ºF for meters with 0.1mVDC
Power: Standard 9V battery
LED indication: green for "On", red for low battery
Operating temp: 32ºF to 122ºF at <75%RH
Storage temp: -4ºF to 140ºF at <80%RH with

battery removed

Sensor: Thermopile
Temperature range: 0ºF to 752ºF
Accuracy: Whichever is greater. At 73ºF ± 10ºF at

<90%RH
±2.0%rdg or 4ºF, 32ºF to 160ºF
±3.0%rdg or 5.5ºF, 0ºF to 31ºF, 161ºF to 752ºF

Field of view: 8:1

Fieldpiece Instruments, Inc.

California, U.S.A.

www.fieldpiece.com

v05

OPERATOR’S MANUAL