What is your measurement criteria?  What is it that you want to measure?
Did you create an error budget?  Accuracy depends on whether you use a
pyroelectric detector or a silicon lead sulfide or what you are using and
also on the design.  I believe that the "ear thermometers" use a
pyroelectric device.  Pyroelectric detectors are AC devices, not DC devices
so the design is a bit more complicated.
    Non contact temperature measurement is not as accurate as a thermocouple
or thermistor or RTD etc.  Usually NC is reserved for high temperature
measurememts.  But for very high temperature measurements usually x-ray or
streaking film is used.

----- Original Message -----
From: "Herbert Graf" <mailinglist3@farcite.net>
To: "Microcontroller discussion list - Public." <piclist@mit.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, January 23, 2007 2:14 PM
Subject: Re: [OT] Infrared temperature measurement


> On Tue, 2007-01-23 at 17:31 +0000, Tamas Rudnai wrote:
> > Is anybody knows the accuracy of these devices? OK, each says around 1-2
> > Celsius, however, I am not sure if that is true for all type of
surfaces?
> > Also how the accuracy affected by wind, humidity and vibration?
>
> I can't give you hard numbers, but I can tell you that surface IS
> important. They are calibrated for a "matte" type surface, so if you try
> using them on say a tile surface they can be WAY off.
>
> I regularly use one while cooking and while they work wonderfully for
> most foods, they are horrible when dealing with say a pot of water.
>
> TTYL
>
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