Temperature instruments use contact or noncontact methods to measure temperature. Products include dial, digital, industrial and laboratory thermometers; temperature probes, indicators, and sensors; RTD elements and transmitters; and thermistors, thermocouples, thermopiles, and thermal switches. 

Temperature indicators and temperature instruments are designed for temperature monitoring and analysis. These devices either come equipped with an integral sensor, or require sensor input

Temperature sensors are measurement devices that infer temperature by sensing some physical characteristic (i.e. resistance, emf or thermal radiation

Noncontact infrared temperature sensors absorb ambient infrared (IR) radiation given off by a heated surface. They are used in applications where direct temperature measurement is not possible

Temperature probes are used in various temperature sensing applications. Technology options include thermocouple, RTD, thermistor and solid state style probes

RTD temperature probes convert the RTD resistance measurement to a current signal, eliminating the problems inherent in RTD signal transmission via lead resistance. 

RTD (resistive temperature device) elements are wire windings or other thin-film serpentines that exhibit changes in resistance with changes in temperature

Thermocouple temperature probes are bimetallic style probes used for various temperature sensing applications

Temperature controllers accept inputs from temperature sensors or thermometers, and then output a control signal to keep the temperature at the desired level

Thermistor temperature probes sense temperature by using thermistors, devices made of semiconductor materials which exhibit a large change in resistance for a small change in temperature

Thermistors are thermally-sensitive devices whose electrical resistance varies with temperature. Unlike RTDs and thermocouples, thermistors do not have standards associated with their resistance vs. temperature characteristics or curves

Temperature indicating products include labels, paints, crayons, or other markers that change color or shape when exposed to a certain temperature. Temperature indicating products are typically non-reversible and are designed for one-time use

Resistance temperature detector (RTD) temperature transmitters convert RTD resistance measurements to current signals, eliminating the problems inherent in RTD signal transmission via lead resistance

Temperature signal conditioners accept outputs from temperature measurement devices such as resistance temperature detectors (RTDs), thermocouples, and thermistors. They then filter, amplify, and/or convert these outputs to digital signals, or to levels suitable for digitization

Thermocouple temperature transmitters convert the small millivolt output of a thermocouple to a current signal (typically 4-20 mADC) that is immune to noise and voltage drops over a long distance