Infrared sensors use an optical system to collect infrared energy from a measured target area. This energy is used to calculate the target surface temperature. In many industrial and laboratory settings, there are often application issues that interfere with the amount of energy that is collected by the sensor. These application issues include:

• Intervening media such as smoke, steam, dust, spray, scale, or dirty windows, or a mechanical interference that causes optical attenuation
• A partially filled field of view caused by a mechanical obstruction or an a small/wandering target

The ability of a sensor to compensate for these types of application interferences is measured as the signal dilution factor. The signal dilution factor, expressed as a ratio, represents the extent of signal dilution that a sensor can tolerate while still providing an accurate temperature reading. For example, a signal dilution factor of 500:1 indicates that the sensor has 500 times more infrared signal than is required for a valid measurement. The higher the signal dilution factor, the better the sensor is able to tolerate application interference.

Typical Maximum Signal Dilution Values
SENSOR	VALUE
PRO 81 / 91 / 110 / 210	1500 : 1
PRO 82 / 92 / 120 / 220	500 : 1
Competitive 2-Color Sensors	100 : 1

The exceptionally high signal dilution factor provided by the PRO Series dual- and multi-wavelength sensors has several benefits under adverse application conditions.

• Improves Accuracy and Reduces Maintenance in hostile environments where the target energy is diluted by intervening media.
• Eliminates the need for precise alignment when measuring exceptionally small or wandering targets.

To provide a 'live' verification of the sensor's signal dilution factor, the PRO Series dual- and multi-wavelength sensors indicate the signal dilution value as one of five measured parameters.

Other Resources to Download:

PRO SERIES BROCHURE

DUAL WAVELENGTH TEMPERATURE SYSTEMS BROCHURE