16 Surface Temperature Sensor Manufacturers in 2023
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 16 surface temperature sensor manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked surface temperature sensor companies as of April, 2023: 1.AMF Industries Inc., 2.Micro-Epsilon.
Table of Contents
What Is a Surface Temperature Sensor?
A surface temperature sensor is a sensor that measures the surface temperature of an object to be measured.
There are two types: a contact type that measures by contacting the object to be measured and a non-contact type that measures by non-contacting the object. These sensors are used in various fields.
Uses of Surface Temperature Sensors
Uses of surface temperature sensors differ between contact and non-contact types.
1. Contact-Type Surface Temperature Sensor
Thermocouples, the representative type of contact-type surface temperature sensors, are used mainly in research and testing, and as built-in sensors in equipment, machinery, and production lines. Another typical contact-type surface temperature sensor is the "thermistor." This type of surface temperature sensor is also widely used in electrical appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners, and can be said to be the most widely used surface temperature sensor in mass production.
2. Non-contact Surface Temperature Sensor
The typical non-contact surface temperature sensor is a sensor that detects the amount of infrared rays, which can measure temperature without contacting the object.
Principle of Surface Temperature Sensors
The following is an explanation of the principle of using "thermocouples" and "thermistors" as contact-type surface temperature sensors and "infrared detection sensors" as non-contact-type surface temperature sensors.
1. Surface Temperature Sensor Using a “Thermocouple“
A thermocouple is a temperature sensor made from two types of metal conductors. It utilizes the phenomenon that when both ends of two types of metal conductors are connected to form a closed circuit and different temperatures are applied to the contact points at both ends, a voltage is generated between the different metals. In other words, the principle of temperature sensors using thermocouples is to detect temperature by converting this generated voltage into temperature. The advantage of this method using thermocouples is that it has a good response, is inexpensive, and can measure a wide range of temperatures.
2. Surface Temperature Sensor Using a Thermistor
Surface temperature sensors using thermistors take advantage of the characteristics of the element called a thermistor. A thermistor has a characteristic that its resistance value changes depending on the temperature. Therefore, the temperature is measured by measuring its resistance value and converting it to temperature.
3. Surface Temperature Sensor Using an "Infrared Detection Sensor"
Surface temperature sensors using non-contact "infrared detection sensors" detect the amount of infrared radiation emitted by the object to be measured and convert it to temperature. These sensors are often used to measure human body temperatures, etc., and are extremely convenient because they can measure temperatures without contact.
Other Information on Surface Temperature Sensors
1. Life of a Surface Temperature Sensor Thermocouple
Thermocouples, which are often used in contact-type Surface temperature sensors, have a life span, and if they are used continuously without knowing it, an accurate reading of the surface temperature may not be obtained. The life of a thermocouple varies with the temperature and atmosphere in which it is used and also depends on the type of metal.
As a general example, in an oxidizing atmosphere below room temperature, a precious metal that is susceptible to corrosion and rust will last approximately 2,000 hours, while a strong base metal will last approximately 10,000 hours. When used at the upper temperature limit of each metal, the time is very short, ranging from about 50 to 250 hours.
Special care should be taken when using surface temperature sensors with thermocouples as surface temperature sensors for electrical appliances and industrial products. An example would be a case in which surface temperature sensors using thermocouples are used in a furnace or kiln. If the thermocouple deteriorates and mistakenly senses a low temperature, gas or other substances are burned to raise the temperature of the furnace or kiln, resulting in unnecessary costs.
In addition, thermocouples are less accurate in environments where the temperature is mistakenly high. Therefore, the thermocouples of surface temperature sensors require periodic maintenance and replacement.
2. Types of Non-contact Surface Temperature Sensors
There are two types of non-contact surface temperature sensors:
- Non-contact Thermometers: Measure a person's body temperature, etc.
- Non-contact Thermometers: Measure objects that are dangerous to approach due to high temperatures or objects that are moving, rotating, etc.
Non-contact surface temperature sensors can be deployed in these applications because they measure temperature by the intensity of infrared radiation emitted from the object being measured. They are useful in industrial applications because of their extremely fast response and instantaneous temperature measurement.
In addition, there is a difference in sensitivity between "non-contact thermometers" and "non-contact thermometers" of about ±1°C, and the sensitivity of "non-contact thermometers" is relatively low. For this reason, human body temperature should be measured with a "non-contact thermometer," and "non-contact thermometers" have a correction function to compensate for errors due to differences in the human skeleton and humidity.
However, these non-contact surface temperature sensors also have a weak point: they cannot accurately measure the temperature of materials that do not emit infrared rays, such as metals. Another disadvantage is that they cannot accurately measure temperatures in humid environments. This is because in a humid environment, the infrared radiation emitted by the object to be measured is absorbed by water vapor, and the lens of the non-contact surface temperature sensor cannot receive the infrared radiation accurately.
In this case, there are cases where the temperature is measured lower than the actual temperature. The same phenomenon can occur if the lens is dirty, since the light is received by the lens. However, as mentioned earlier, "non-contact thermometers" have a correction function.
List of 16 Surface Temperature Sensor Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Pyromation
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
Pyromation began operations in 1962 and operates out of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Pyromation is a manufacturer of RTD temperature sensors, thermocouples, and thermowells. Pyromation serves the aerospace, aggregate, chemical, energy and power, food and beverage, heat treating, HVAC, incineration, medical, metal processing, mining, oil and gas, pharmaceutical, plastics, rubber, and waste/water industries. Pyromation’s product lines include thermocouples, RTDs, thermowells, transmitters, connection heads, wire, and accessories. Pyromation also offers application assistance, calibration, training, and custom design services.
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Micro-Epsilon
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
Micro-Epsilon was originally founded in Osaka and Micro-Epsilon America was founded in 1998, headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. Micro-Epsilon develops, manufactures, and distributes sensors to aerospace, battery production, glass production, wind power, precision optics, medical technology, transportation, semiconductor, and other industries. Micro-Epsilon’s sensor product categories include inductive, capacitive, laser, confocal, laser distance, magneto-inductive, draw-wire, rotation speed, color, paint thickness measurement, and fiber optic sensors in addition to interferometers and other sensor equipment.
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Balluff
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
Balluff was founded in 1921 and is headquartered in Neuhausen, near Stuttgart, Germany. Balluff is a manufacturer of sensor and automation solutions for customers globally. Balluff serves many industries including life sciences, semiconductors, metalworking, fluid power, and mobile equipment. Balluff’s product line consists of sensors and connectivity components, accessories, complete systems, and software. Balluff offers services to assist customers across the range of finding solutions, deploying solutions, training, as well as support.
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Emerson Electric Co.
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
Founded in 1890 in Missouri, Emerson Electric Co., is a technology and engineering company that provides various solutions for customers in industrial, commercial, and consumer markets globally. Business segments include automation solutions, AspenTech, and commercial & residential solutions segments. The Automation Solutions segment offers measurement and analytical instrumentation, industrial valves and equipment, and process control software and systems. The AspenTech segment provides asset optimization software for enhancing performance through a combination of modeling, simulation, and optimization capabilities. The Commercial & Residential Solutions segment offers residential and commercial HVAC products, system protector and flow control devices, and IoT thermostats.
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ifm efector, inc.
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
ifm efector (ifm) is a subsidiary of ifm electronic, founded in Germany in 1969. ifm has developed, manufactured and marketed sensors and controls technology to industries that include assembly and robotics, automotive, material handling, metal forming, mobile equipment, plastics, and food and beverage. Ifm produces sensors, condition monitoring equipment, image processing, safety technology, industrial communication, IO-link, systems for mobile machines, displays, software, connection technology, voltage supplies, as well as other accessories.
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Mod-Tronic Instruments Limited
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
MOD-TRONIC Instruments Limited was established in 1972 in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. MTis a distributor of industrial sensors, transducers, heaters, controls, and instrumentation, primarily made in the USA as well as Japan, Switzerland, and Germany. MT’s customers are primarily in the aerospace, building automation, manufacturing, medical, military, oil and gas, and water treatment industries but also serves individuals. MT offers an above industry standard 5-year warranty and technical support on every product sold.
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Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd.
Surface Temperature Sensors
Company Overview
Trinity Electronics Systems Ltd. was founded in the 1980s and is based in Edmonton, Alberta. Trinity Electronics Systems designs and manufactures custom electronics and handles modifications, upgrades, and warranty repair as well. Trinity Electronics Systems product list includes power measurement products, audio products, lighting products, industrial electronics, sensors, and miscellaneous products. Trinity Electronics Systems services begin with product development and create proposals for complete products including packaging, instruction manual, software, and prototyping. Electronic design services including retrofitting and even re-manufacturing of boards created by defunct manufacturers. Other services include PCB, Hazloc, and microprocessor software development and contract manufacturing.
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Surface Temperature Sensor Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2023 in United States of America
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMF Industries Inc. | 50% |
| 2 | Micro-Epsilon | 50% |
Ranking as of April 2023 Globally
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AMF Industries Inc. | 50% |
| 2 | Micro-Epsilon | 50% |
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the surface temperature sensor page as of April 2023. 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
- Balluff: 3,600
Newly Established Company
- Micro-Epsilon: 1968 (55 years ago)
- Thermo Electra: 1962 (61 years ago)
- Balluff: 1921 (102 years ago)
Company with a History
- Balluff: 1921 (102 years ago)
- Thermo Electra: 1962 (61 years ago)
- Micro-Epsilon: 1968 (55 years ago)
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