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This section provides an overview for surface temperature sensors as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 10 surface temperature sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked surface temperature sensor companies as of January, 2025: 1.Vernier Software & Technology, 2.Evolution Sensors and Controls, LLC, 3.Aircom Instrumentation Ltd..
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Categories Related to Surface Temperature Sensors
1987~1991: Engaged in research on wire covering materials at Polymer Materials Laboratory.
1991~1997: Worked as a patent Engineer at Koike International Patent Office.
1997~2005 Worked as an intellectual property member at GE Yokogawa Medical System, currently working as a writer.
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A surface temperature sensor is a device designed to measure the temperature of an object's surface.
There are two types: a contact type, which measures by physically contacting the object, and a non-contact type, which measures without physical contact. These sensors find applications in various fields.
The applications of surface temperature sensors vary depending on whether they are contact or non-contact types.
Thermocouples, a representative type of contact-type surface temperature sensors, are primarily used in research, and testing, and as built-in sensors in equipment, machinery, and production lines. Another common contact-type surface temperature sensor is the "thermistor," widely utilized in electrical appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners, making it one of the most widely used surface temperature sensors in mass production.
The typical non-contact surface temperature sensor detects the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the object to measure temperature without direct contact.
Here, we explain the principles behind contact-type surface temperature sensors using "thermocouples" and "thermistors," as well as non-contact-type surface temperature sensors using "infrared detection sensors."
A thermocouple is a temperature sensor made from two different metal conductors. It operates based on the phenomenon that when both ends of the conductors are connected to form a closed circuit and different temperatures are applied to the contact points, a voltage is generated between the metals. In other words, temperature sensors using thermocouples detect temperature by converting the generated voltage into temperature. This method is advantageous for its rapid response, cost-effectiveness, and wide temperature range measurement capability.
Surface temperature sensors using thermistors rely on the property of the thermistor element, whose resistance changes with temperature. Temperature is measured by monitoring the resistance and converting it into temperature values.
Non-contact surface temperature sensors that employ "infrared detection sensors" detect infrared radiation emitted by the object to measure temperature. These sensors are commonly used to measure human body temperatures and other applications where contactless temperature measurement is required.
Contact-type surface temperature sensors, like thermocouples, have a limited lifespan. Continuous use without awareness of this limitation may result in inaccurate surface temperature readings. The lifespan of a thermocouple varies depending on temperature, atmosphere, and metal type.
For example, in an oxidizing atmosphere below room temperature, a precious metal thermocouple susceptible to corrosion and rust may last approximately 2,000 hours, while a more robust base metal thermocouple can last around 10,000 hours. However, when operated at the upper temperature limit of each metal, their lifespans are significantly shorter, ranging from about 50 to 250 hours.
Special attention is needed when using thermocouples in surface temperature sensors for electrical appliances and industrial products. For instance, in a furnace or kiln application, if the thermocouple deteriorates and erroneously senses a lower temperature, it can lead to unnecessary costs as gas or other substances are burned to raise the temperature. Moreover, thermocouples are less accurate at extremely high temperatures, necessitating periodic maintenance and replacement.
Non-contact surface temperature sensors are categorized into two types:
Non-contact surface temperature sensors measure temperature by assessing the intensity of infrared radiation emitted by the object. They are invaluable in industrial applications due to their rapid response and instantaneous temperature measurement capabilities.
However, it's important to note that there is a sensitivity difference between "non-contact thermometers" and "infrared temperature sensors" of approximately ±1°C, with "non-contact thermometers" having relatively lower sensitivity. As a result, human body temperature is best measured using a "non-contact thermometer," which includes error compensation functions to account for variations in body structure and humidity.
Nonetheless, these non-contact surface temperature sensors have limitations; they may not accurately measure the temperature of materials that do not emit infrared radiation, such as metals. Additionally, they may struggle to provide accurate readings in humid environments, where water vapor can absorb the emitted infrared radiation, affecting lens-based measurement accuracy. Regular maintenance is advised in such cases. However, as mentioned earlier, "non-contact thermometers" come with correction functions to mitigate these issues.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Evolution Sensors and Controls, LLC is a company established in 2016 and based in West Deptford, New Jersey, as a manufacturer of thermocouple connectors, sensors, and wires. It manufactured products including surface thermocouples, RTD sensors, flexible wire style thermocouples, thermocouple connectors, and thermocouple wires. Its manufactured products are equipped with Resistance Temperature Detector technology, RTD Sensing Element, and Mineral Insulation to maintain product accuracy and mechanical durability. Its products cater to several industries, such as semiconductors, electronics, biotech, pharmaceutical, and machine builders.
Vernier Software & Technology is a manufacturer of science education technologies headquartered in Beaverton, Oregon. Founded in 1981, the company primarily provides laboratory equipment, sensors, and software to clients in education, research and development, engineering, and design. The company also offers technology used in environmental science, as well as precision measurement tools for project design to clients including Garmin, LEGO Education, Seacoast Science, and Texas Instruments. Among its services, Vernier Software & Technology offers support and training for educators using its products.
RKC Instrument has been continually growing for over half a century and strives to be a solution provider of measurement and control systems. RKC supplies quality products and professional engineering services quickly and efficiently. RKC specializes in everything from limit and multiloop controllers to heater break alarms and temperature sensors. RKC has a website in Chinese, English, and Japanese and has sales networks across the globe. Based on the management concept of “Realization of the highest quality,” RKC Instrument has obtained the accreditation of ISO9001, the international standard for quality management systems.
Chino, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is engaged in the manufacture and sale of measurement and control equipment and instrumentation work. The company was founded in 1936 as Chino Seisakusho. Chino operates in the area of "measurement, control, and monitoring" and contributes to the development of all industrial fields. Major products include recorders, regulators, temperature sensors, data loggers, radiation thermometers, thermal image measuring devices/thermal cameras, composition meters, moisture meters, thickness meters, thyristor regulators, and fuel cell evaluation and testing devices.
Thermo Electra, established in 1962 and based in Pijnacker, Zuid-Holland, The Netherlands, is a developer and manufacturer of thermocouples and Pt100 temperature sensors. The company offers ML7038F Multipoint sensors for catalyst bed reactors, RTD sensors for bearings, plastics, marine use, and surface temperature measurement, in addition to thermocouples capable of measuring up to 1800°C, along with solid drilled and machined thermowells. It is an ATEX, IECEx, 3C, and ISO 9001:2015 certified company. It has 25 sales channels worldwide, serving multiple industries like R&D, food, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, glass, oil, and paper milling.
Sterling Sensors UK Ltd was founded in 1967 and is a manufacturer of temperature sensors located in Oldham, United Kingdom. It specializes in producing thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors, handheld probes, and other temperature sensors that are suitable for various industries applications, such as chemical, food, and automation industries. It also offers additional services including UKAS traceable calibration and repair. The company operates under ISO 9001 standards and has served its products to customers from over 30 countries.
Aircom Instrumentation Ltd., a company founded in 1964, is a manufacturer and distributor of temperature instrumentations located in Alberta, Canada. Its expertise lies in temperature instrumentation production, specialty welding, and product distribution. Products manufactured by the company include thermocouples, pressure transmitters, RTDs, and temperature sensors. The company also distributes instrumentations produced by American Sensor Technologies (AST), Reotemp Instruments, and Robinson Controls. It serves clients in the power, food, mining, metals, and manufacturing industries.
Revolutionizing Wireless & Batteryless Sensing and Automation IoT Solutions by ESCOM Enhanced Solutions. Our revolutionary wireless & batteryless self-powered by energy harvesting sensing & automation solutions offer a more sustainable, maintenance-free, 100% eco-friendly and cost-effective solutions for industrial sensing applications. Please review our revolutionary wireless & batteryless sensing & automation solutions installed into the heart of a machine and conversion of very old nonsense wired conventional sensing technologies. Our motto is FREEDOM for SENSORS...NO WIRING...NO BATTERY...PLUG&FORGET...100% Eco-friendly...UNLIMITED USAGE AREA... NO WAY OUT, WE HAVE TO MAKE THIS CONVERSION; and this conversion will be much more effective than all other efforts for Carbon Net Zero Target. ESCOM Enhanced Solutions is a wholly owned subsidiary of ESCOM Power Plants Engineering Services Ltd.
Campbell Scientific Inc., established in 1974 and headquartered in Logan, Utah, is a designer and manufacturer of measurement, data acquisition systems, and data loggers. The company sells sensors, measurement devices, and OEM products for water, weather, and soil applications. It also provides software for several purposes, including communication between data loggers and supporting data logger programming. It is ISO 14001, ISO 9001, and ISO 27001 certified, and it marketed its first product, named the CA-9 Path-Averaging Laser Anemometer, in 1974. It introduced its first data acquisition system, the CR5 Digital Recorder, in 1975.
Ranking as of January 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vernier Software & Technology |
25.0%
|
| 2 | Evolution Sensors and Controls, LLC |
17.5%
|
| 3 | Aircom Instrumentation Ltd. |
12.5%
|
| 4 | Thermo Electra |
12.5%
|
| 5 | ESCOM Enhanced Solutions |
10.0%
|
| 6 | Sterling Sensors UK Ltd |
7.5%
|
| 7 | Campbell Scientific, Inc. |
5.0%
|
| 8 | RKC INSTRUMENT |
5.0%
|
| 9 | Okazaki Manufacturing Company |
2.5%
|
| 10 | CHINO |
2.5%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the surface temperature sensor page as of January 2025. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
2 | 25.0% |
|
Japan
|
2 | 25.0% |
|
Netherlands
|
1 | 12.5% |
|
United Kingdom
|
1 | 12.5% |
|
Canada
|
1 | 12.5% |
|
Turkey
|
1 | 12.5% |
78 products found
78 products
Laser Measurement Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Fast Response
■Summary FISO's fiber optic temperature sensors (fiber optic thermometers) are the ideal sensor with all the effective features. Its compact size i...
Soki Co., Ltd.
400+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 day ago
Fast Response
5.0 Company Review
We are selling a digital asphalt thermometer AST10 that comes with a standard sensor (SE-IN) and can be used immediately after purchase. A 200mm lo...
2 models listed
TOMONARI Co., Ltd.
90+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Fast Response
A simple non-contact thermometer. It is a simple automatic thermometer that you just hold over your hand or forehead. With voice function, temperat...
Laser Measurement Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 minutes ago
Fast Response
■Summary The FOT-M temperature sensor (optical fiber thermometer) is only 0.8mm in diameter or less, is resistant to corrosive environments, and ca...
TOMONARI Co., Ltd.
90+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Fast Response
A 3-piece non-contact thermometer set. A set that includes a simple automatic thermometer, a dedicated tripod stand, and an alcohol disinfectant di...
Laser Measurement Co., Ltd.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Fast Response
■Summary High-response fiber optic temperature sensors (fiber optic thermometers) are extremely small and highly accurate sensors. Also, it is comp...
TOMONARI Co., Ltd.
120+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Fast Response
A 3-piece non-contact thermometer set. A set that includes a simple automatic thermometer, a dedicated tripod stand, and an alcohol disinfectant di...
Myzox Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 22 hours ago
Fast Response
A single-function waterproof asphalt thermometer that can be used immediately after turning on the power without any complicated settings. Feature...
Myzox Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Fast Response
Digital thermometer with maximum value hold and offset setting function ■Features Equipped with a data hold function to fix the display.
Myzox Co., Ltd.
190+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
Fast Response
Bimetallic type, made by laminating two types of metals with different expansion coefficients ■Features Measuring range 0~200℃.
6 models listed
Myzox Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
Fast Response
Asphalt thermometer with shock-absorbing rubber suitable for harsh sites ■Features ・K type thermocouple sensor can be connected. 《K type thermoc...
Myzox Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
Fast Response
A highly practical digital thermometer with multiple functions in a handy body. ■Features ・Waterproof specification JIS C 0920 protection class 4...
Kyodo International, Inc.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 3 hours ago
■Thin film thermocouple ・Lineup of high temperature range measurement type and thin film thermocouple with faster response speed ・You can select ...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
60+ people viewing
Standard Response
■Product description This series of thermocouples can be combined with protection tubes of various designs. Fixed (welded) installation is possible...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 15 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description XTRACTO-PAD® accurately measures piping inside combustion furnaces. XTRACTO-PAD® is a product developed by Gayesco Internation...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
120+ people viewing
Last viewed: 7 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description This series of thermocouples can be combined with numerous designs of protection tubes. Operation without a protection tube is...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
80+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description WELD-PAD can measure flat or curved surfaces. The hot end of the WELD-PAD sensor is an inorganic insulated cable (sheathed cab...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description This thermocouple is suitable for use with gases and liquids at low temperatures. Suitable for measuring medium temperatures. ...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Standard Response
■Product description Multipoint thermocouples are used for temperature monitoring in reactors and fuel storage tanks, especially at hot spots (poin...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
100+ people viewing
Last viewed: 21 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description Thermometers without protection tubes have a small shape and are suitable for inserting the sensor tip (measuring part) direct...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Last viewed: 14 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product overview Multipoint thermocouples are often used to measure the temperature profile of a reactor or fuel storage, or to detect so-called "...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Standard Response
■Product description This series of thermocouples can be combined with numerous designs of protection tubes. This product is not suitable for use w...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
100+ people viewing
Standard Response
■Product description Multipoint thermocouples are often used to measure temperature profiles in nuclear reactors and fuel depots and to detect so-c...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
130+ people viewing
Last viewed: 2 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description As a DIN 43735 compliant insertion type temperature sensor used for temperature measurement resistors, it is designed to be in...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
80+ people viewing
Standard Response
■Explanation of multi-point measurement thermocouple In the petrochemical industry, there is an increasing need to measure temperature trends more ...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
90+ people viewing
Last viewed: 1 hour ago
Standard Response
■Product description This thermocouple is designed for direct connection to processes such as tanks and piping. This thermometer is suitable for te...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
50+ people viewing
Last viewed: 9 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description Multipoint thermocouple sensor model TC97 is typically individual sensors with different diameters that measure temperature at...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
70+ people viewing
Standard Response
■Product description This thermocouple is designed to be connected directly into tanks or piping. We have a standard lineup of products compatible ...
Bika Japan Co., Ltd.
80+ people viewing
Last viewed: 12 hours ago
Standard Response
■Product description The thermocouple measurement insert described here is designed for installation in thermometer model TC10-L. Use without a pro...
