Overview
IEC TS 62492-2:2013 - "Industrial process control devices - Radiation thermometers - Part 2: Determination of the technical data for radiation thermometers" - is a Technical Specification from IEC that defines standard, unambiguous test methods for determining the metrological and performance data of radiation thermometers (single wavelength range, single measurement field). Its purpose is to enable comparability and testability of instruments under standardized measuring conditions so that a sufficiently skilled end user can determine or confirm fundamental technical data for instrument evaluation or selection. (Infrared ear thermometers are excluded.)
Key topics and technical requirements
The specification covers the test methods and procedures needed to determine or verify the technical data listed in IEC/TS 62492-1. Key topics include:
- Measurement conditions and standardized measurement setup
- Measuring temperature range and test procedures to verify it
- Measurement uncertainty: methods to evaluate instrument uncertainty
- Noise equivalent temperature difference (NETD): sensitivity/noise performance
- Measuring distance, field-of-view (target size) and distance ratio: geometry and target-size requirements
- Size-of-source effect (SSE): influence of surrounding radiation sources
- Emissivity setting and spectral range verification
- Influence of internal instrument or ambient temperature and air humidity on readings
- Long-term and short-term stability, repeatability, interchangeability
- Response time, exposure time, and warm-up time test methods
- Operating, storage and transport environmental ranges
- Safety requirements and informative annexes (e.g., change in indicated temperature vs radiation exchange)
All test methods are described so that end users can perform them reliably to produce standard performance criteria.
Applications and who uses this standard
IEC TS 62492-2 is practical for:
- End users and process engineers who need to verify or validate radiation thermometer performance on-site
- Calibration laboratories and metrology teams performing instrument acceptance testing
- Procurement and quality engineers selecting radiation thermometers based on comparable, verifiable data
- Manufacturers and technical support teams who want to align product test methods with IEC guidance (note: manufacturers are not obliged to publish every data item; only relevant data should be stated)
- Researchers and integrators working in industrial process control, metallurgy, glass, ceramics, and other high-temperature processes that rely on accurate non-contact temperature measurement
Related standards
- IEC/TS 62492-1:2008 - Technical data for radiation thermometers (normative reference)
- Other IEC standards for thermometry and calibration may be relevant when establishing full conformity and traceability.
Keywords: IEC TS 62492-2, radiation thermometer, radiation thermometry, test methods, measurement uncertainty, NETD, field-of-view, size-of-source effect, response time, emissivity.