| Question |
Answer |
| What is the SPOT+ pyrometer used for? |
The SPOT+ is a non-contact infrared pyrometer from LAND —a company with over 75 years of temperature measurement expertise—that accurately measures hot, moving or hazardous targets from a safe distance. It's the preferred choice across steel, glass, aluminum and process industries for fast, accurate and repeatable surface temperature readings without process interruption. The SPOT+ features advanced IIoT connectivity including EtherNet/IP, REST API and Modbus TCP for seamless integration into Industry 4.0 environments. |
| What is the temperature range of the SPOT+? |
The SPOT+ family covers an extensive range from 0°C up to 3,500°C across its five specialized variants: the standard SPOT+ for general applications, SPOT+ AL optimized for aluminum processing, SPOT+ GS for glass surfaces, SPOT+ MM (Meltmaster) for molten metal, and SPOT+ TMT for tube metal temperature. Each variant uses application-specific wavelengths and optics rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, ensuring optimal accuracy for your specific process. |
What replaced the original SPOT pyrometer?
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The SPOT+ is the direct successor to the original SPOT pyrometer, which was discontinued in August 2023 after decades of reliable service. LAND designed SPOT+ with the same familiar form factor for drop-in replacement in existing installations, while adding extended temperature ranges, improved accuracy and modern IIoT communications (EtherNet/IP, REST API, Modbus TCP, Profinet) for easier integration into today's connected manufacturing environments. |
| Is SPOT+ suitable for molten metal? |
Yes—the SPOT+ MM (Meltmaster) variant is specifically engineered for molten metal temperature measurement, one of the most challenging non-contact measurement applications. It uses a carefully selected wavelength to minimize emissivity variations and atmospheric interference, delivering reliable readings even with the high temperatures and changing surface conditions typical of liquid metal. It's trusted in primary and secondary steel, foundry and aluminum casting operations. |
| Can SPOT+ connect to a PLC? |
Yes—SPOT+ offers comprehensive connectivity options including 4–20 mA analog output, RS-485 serial, Ethernet (Modbus TCP), EtherNet/IP, Profinet and REST API. This means temperature data flows directly into your PLC, DCS or SCADA system without additional converters. The built-in webserver also allows configuration and monitoring from any browser, supporting both legacy control systems and modern IIoT architectures. |
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Which wavelength should I choose?
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As a general rule for a monochromatic pyrometer (SPOT+ Mxxx), you should choose the shortest wavelength that is able to measure the required temperature, This is because the relationship between the intensity of infrared radiation and object temperature is strongest at short wavelengths, thereby reducing the uncertainty associated with changes in emissivity.
For example, SPOT+ M100 (1.0 µm), M160 (1.6 µm) and M210 (2.3 µm) can all measure an object at 800 °C. However the M100 will give the most accurate measurement.
Certain models have wavelengths are chosen to measure or to avoid specific spectral features. For example, the 3.9 µm wavelength of SPOT+ M390 is used to measure temperatures inside furnaces because flames do not emit radiation at this wavelength and so do not affect the measurement.
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When should I choose a ratio pyrometer?
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Ratio pyrometers measure the intensity of infrared radiation at two closely-spaced wavelengths. Instead of calculating the temperature from the absolute intensity, they use the relative intensity at the two measurements. This allows them to determine the temperature without an accurate knowledge of emissivity. They are less accurate than monochromatic ones in most situations, but they are ideal for three types of measurement:
- The emissivity of the object is variable or unknown
- A hot object is obscured by smoke or dust
- A hot object does not fill the field of view
The peak picker algorithm is especially valuable in ratio pyrometers as it allows the SPOT+ to make a useful measurement even if the object is occasionally obscured or outside the field of view.
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| What is the smallest item I can measure with SPOT+ |
SPOT+ measures a circular area whose size is determined by the field of view (FOV) and the distance between the pyrometer and the object. The FOV depends on the specific model and varies between 200:1 and 30:1. For a pyrometer situated distance D from an object, the spot size is
S = D / FOV
Therefore a SPOT+ M100 with FOV of 200:1 situated 1000 mm from an object will have a spot size
S = 1000 / 200
= 5 mm
All conventional (non-fibre) models have a minimum focus distance of 300 mm so the minimum spot size varies between 1.5 mm and 10 mm. The fibre optic variants all have 100:1 FOV and minimum focal distance of 100 mm.
| SPOT+ Model |
FOV |
Minimum spot size / mm |
| M100 |
200:1 |
1.5 |
| M160 |
200:1 |
1.5 |
| M210 |
60:1 |
5 |
| M390 |
30:1 |
10 |
| R100 |
200:1 |
1.5 |
| R160 |
200:1 |
1.5 |
| R210 |
60:1 |
5 |
| AL |
60:1 |
5 |
| AL LT |
30:1 |
10 |
| GS |
60:1 |
5 |
| MM |
200:1 |
1.5 |
| All fibre optic |
100:1 |
1.0 |
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| Can I install SPOT+ in a hot environment? |
Most SPOT+ models are rated for use in temperatures up to 60 °C and will function to 70 °C with reduced accuracy. The optical head of the fibre optic models can installed in locations up to 200 °C provided the electronics are installed somewhere cooler.
Water-cooled jackets are available which allow for installation in hotter locations up to 250 °C.
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| What I/O is available? |
SPOT+ is designed for integration in a wide variety of industrial automation systems.
High-speed Ethernet
- Webserver showing live data and visible camera image
- Modbus TCP/IP
- REST API
- EtherNet/IP
Configurable analogue signals:
- 4-20 mA output
- Selectable: 4-20 mA output or relay
- Selectable: 4-20 mA input ordigital input
Power can be applied either from a 24 V dc power supply or via Power over Ethernet. In most cases, this means a single cable can provide power and data connections.
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