Monitoring F&R temperatures

[harryarcos]

I would like to accurately monitor the F&R temperatures of 22 mm copper pipes on a CH boiler. Laser based tools do not work properly on shiny surfaces and apart from clip-on thermometers, is there anything else used by engineers which does not cost a huge amount of money?
Many thanks in anticipation of a reply.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

HVAC Thermometer Kit, Two Velcro Pipe Clamp Probes, Dual Input Thermometer and Case

This HVAC temperature kit has two velcro pipe probes 300mm long, a digital micro processor thermometer that allows you to use two type K thermocouple

ratemperaturesensors.co.uk

 

[Chuck]

Try some matt paint on the area of the pipe you want to sample with your IR thermometer will do the trick. (It doesn't have to be black, that's what it looks like in the optical part of the spectrum, not the far infrared.)

Otherwise use thermocouple probes such a @ShaunCorbs suggests. If you are using two thermocouples and a multichannel meter you need to check for 'galvanic isolation'. Without this the readings with both probes in contact will differ from the readings when applied one at a time. If this is a problem, use a single ply of tissue paper between each probe and the pipe as an electrical insulator.

With practice, you can use your thumb to measure pipe temperatures in the range 50 to 60°C. I press my thumb on the pipe and count down from 60 at one second intervals until it feels uncomfortable enough to need to remove it. Adjust the countdown speed with a few practice runs to calibrate.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Or some black electrical tape

 

[harryarcos]

Thanks for your interest and tips. I could not get very far with matt black paint using the laser tool, but picked up a couple of Digital LED thermometers with probes on a well known site for just £8. Sent from China, I don't know how they can sell them so cheaply. Seem to work ok with about a 1 degree difference. The probes are inserted into the overheat thermostat tube for which I am starting a new thread.