SAC-SINGLAS Accredited · ISO/IEC 17025
Infrared Thermometer Calibration
Unitest provides SAC-SINGLAS accredited infrared thermometer calibration in Singapore from 35 C to 500 C, against a traceable reference blackbody source, under method UNI-T008, with measurement uncertainties (CMC) from 1.1 C to 3.7 C at an emissivity setting of 0.90 to 1.00 and a spectral band of 8 to 14 micrometres.
What is infrared thermometer calibration?
Infrared thermometer calibration verifies and documents how accurately an IR thermometer reads temperature from a distance. The instrument is aimed at a reference blackbody source (a cavity of known, controlled temperature and near-unity emissivity), the source is set to each calibration point, and the thermometer's reading is compared against the true temperature. The deviation is recorded across the range and reported with its measurement uncertainty.
How the calibration is performed: blackbody, emissivity and spectral band
Three parameters govern a meaningful IR calibration, and Unitest states all three on the certificate. The reference is a traceable blackbody source. The emissivity setting is 0.90 to 1.00, matching the high-emissivity surfaces most IR thermometers are used on. The spectral band is 8 to 14 micrometres, the region most general-purpose infrared thermometers operate in.
Emissivity is the single biggest source of real-world error: a surface that emits less efficiently than the thermometer assumes will read low. Calibrating against a known blackbody at a defined emissivity setting lets you separate instrument error from surface effects, so the certificate reflects the thermometer itself.
Why and when to calibrate an infrared thermometer
IR thermometers drift through optical contamination, detector ageing, mechanical shock and battery effects, and because they are often used for quick spot checks, an out-of-tolerance unit can go unnoticed for a long time. Calibrate a new instrument before use, then at least annually, more often for critical food-safety or process roles, and after any drop or repair.
Unitest's accredited non-contact range runs from 35 C to 500 C under method UNI-T008, with CMC uncertainties from 1.1 C up to 3.7 C at the top of the range. Standard turnaround is 5 to 7 working days, with a 2 to 3 day express option, and free collection and delivery across Singapore for orders of S$300 and above.
What we calibrate
Infrared Thermometer instruments we calibrate
- Handheld infrared thermometers (IR guns)
- Fixed-mount infrared pyrometers
- Non-contact food thermometers
- Industrial process IR thermometers
- Dual contact / non-contact thermometers
Accredited under SAC-SINGLAS LA-2023-0845-C. View our accreditation & scope →
Questions
Infrared Thermometer calibration FAQ
Is infrared thermometer calibration SAC-SINGLAS accredited?
Yes. Non-contact infrared thermometer calibration is on our SAC-SINGLAS accredited schedule under method UNI-T008, from 35 C to 500 C, against a traceable blackbody source. Certificates are issued under our ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, LA-2023-0845-C, with stated measurement uncertainty at each point.
What emissivity and spectral band do you calibrate at?
We calibrate at an emissivity setting of 0.90 to 1.00 against a reference blackbody source, over a spectral band of 8 to 14 micrometres. This matches how most general-purpose infrared thermometers are built and used, on high-emissivity surfaces in the long-wave infrared region.
Why does emissivity matter for an infrared thermometer?
Emissivity describes how efficiently a surface radiates infrared energy compared with a perfect blackbody. If the real surface emits less than the thermometer's emissivity setting assumes, the reading comes out low. Calibrating against a known blackbody at a defined emissivity separates the instrument's own error from surface effects, so you know whether a field discrepancy is the thermometer or the target.
How often should an infrared thermometer be calibrated?
At least once every 12 months for general use, and every 6 months for critical food-safety or process-control roles. Recalibrate after any drop, optical contamination, or repair. Your quality management system (for example HACCP, ISO 9001 or GMP) may specify the interval.
Range information
Non-contact infrared thermometer / thermal imager, method UNI-T008. Range 35 C to 500 C, CMC 1.1 C to 3.7 C. Emissivity 0.90 to 1.00, spectral band 8 to 14 micrometres. Refer to the SINGLAS schedule LA-2023-0845-C for the full accredited range.
Accredited ranges
Infrared Thermometer calibration ranges & measurement uncertainty
The parameters, ranges and calibration & measurement capability (CMC) below are taken from our SAC-SINGLAS Schedule of Accreditation (LA-2023-0845-C, to ISO/IEC 17025). CMC is the smallest measurement uncertainty we can achieve under accredited conditions.
Non-Contact Temperature Infrared Thermometer / Thermal imager (Emissivity: 0.90 – 1.00; Spectral Band: 8 to 14 µm)· UNI-T008 Rev:0
| Range / measured quantity | Measurement uncertainty (CMC) |
|---|---|
| 35 °C – 100 °C | 1.1 °C |
| >100 °C – 200 °C | 2.1 °C |
| >200 °C – 350 °C | 2.6 °C |
| >350 °C – 500 °C | 3.7 °C |
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