Surface Thermometers

Surface Thermometers

Surface thermometers (non-invasive temperature assemblies) measure the process temperature by contacting the exterior surface of a pipe, vessel, or reactor rather than inserting a sensor into the medium. They are designed to provide temperature insight without creating a process penetration.

This approach is especially valuable for retrofits and temporary measurements, where adding a thermowell or nozzle would require shutdown, permitting, or significant mechanical engineering. Sensors can be positioned flexibly across different locations to support energy monitoring, safety checks, or diagnostic campaigns.

Non-invasive measurement can be a strong fit for demanding process conditions—high flow velocities, high pressures, viscous or corrosive media, abrasion, pigging requirements, and small pipe diameters—where intrusive solutions introduce risk, wear, or excessive engineering effort.

Benefits include elimination of leakage risk and avoidance of direct medium contact, with no impact on flow steadiness. Engineering burden can be reduced because thermowell wake-frequency evaluation and related mechanical design steps are often not required. Installation can typically be completed without interrupting the process.

Typical applications include heavy-duty services in chemical and petrochemical, power and energy, and metals/mining environments where rapid deployment and mechanical risk reduction are priorities. Selection is guided by thermal coupling quality, insulation and ambient effects, mounting method suitability, required accuracy/response expectations for the use case, and any environmental or mechanical constraints at the mounting location.

Vector, your Authorized Endress+Hauser Representative.