User manual
OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS
Version 03/11
IR-THERMOMETER IR 260-8S
Item No. 10 09 80
INTRODUCTION1. 
Dear customer,
Thank you for making the excellent decision to purchase this Voltcraft® product.
You HAVE acquired a high-quality product with a name that stands for outstanding products in the 
eld of measuring, charging and power technology, which excel due to professional competence 
and constant innovation.
With Voltcraft®, you will be able to cope even with the most difcult tasks whether you are an 
ambitious hobby user or a professional user. Voltcraft® offers reliable technology combined with 
exceptional value for money.
Therefore, we are absolutely sure: that starting to use Voltcraft will also be the start of a long, 
successful relationship.
We hope you will enjoy using your new Voltcraft® product!
INTENDED USE2. 
The IR-260-8S is a device for non-contact temperature measurement, which uses the infrared 
energy emitted by an object to determine the temperature. The IR-260-8S thermometer is ideal 
for measuring the temperature of hot, hard-to-reach, or moving objects. It measures the surface 
temperature of an object. However, it cannot make measurements through transparent surfaces 
such as glass or plastic. The thermometer has a temperature range of -30ºC to 260ºC. Power is 
supplied by a 9 V battery.
Measurements must not be carried out under unfavourable ambient conditions. Adverse ambient 
conditions include:
Moisture or excessive humidity• 
Dust or combustible gases, vapours or solvents• 
Thunderstorms or  conditions as during  a storm (e.g. strong electrostatic   elds should  be • 
avoided)
This  product  fulls  European  and  national  requirements  related  to  electromagnetic 
compatibility (EMC).  CE conformity has been veried  and the relevant  statements and 
documents have been deposited at the manufacturer.
Unauthorised conversion and/or modication of the device are inadmissible because of safety 
and approval reasons (CE). Any usage other than described above is not permitted and can 
damage the product and lead to associated risks such as short-circuit, re, electric shock, etc. 
Please read the operating instructions thoroughly and keep them for further reference.
CONTENT OF DELIVERY3. 
Infrared thermometer• 
1 x 9 V battery• 
Operating instructions• 
SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS4. 
We do not assume liability for resulting damages to property or personal injury 
if the product has been abused in any way or damaged by improper use or 
failure to observe these operating instructions. The warranty/ guarantee will 
then expire!
The  icon  with  exclamation  mark  indicates  important  information  in  the 
operating instructions. Carefully read the whole operating instructions before 
operating the device, otherwise there is risk of danger.
Persons / Product
The product is not a toy and should be kept out of reach of children and pets!• 
On commercial premises, the accident prevention regulations of the Association of Industrial • 
Professional Associations with respect to electrical systems and operating equipment must 
be observed.
In schools, training centres, Hobby and DIY workshops, the handling of measuring appliances • 
must be responsibly supervised by trained personnel.
The device may only be operated in a closed, dry room. The space may not become damp or • 
wet as this poses a risk of electrocution!
The product must not be subjected to heavy mechanical stress or intense vibration.• 
The product must not be exposed to electromagnetic elds, static electrical elds, extreme • 
temperatures, direct sunlight or dampness.
If there is reason to believe that safe operation is no longer possible, put the device out of • 
operation and secure it against unintended operation. Safe operation is no longer possible if:
the product shows visible damages, -
the product no longer works and -
the product was stored under unfavourable conditions for a long period of time, -
the product was subject to considerable transport stress. -
The product should not be connected immediately after it has been brought from an area of cold • 
temperature to an area of warm temperature. Condensed water might destroy the product. Wait 
until the product stabilises to adapt to the new ambient temperature before use.
The device must not be exposed to humidity or liquids.• 
Steam, dust, smoke and/or vapours can prevent accurate measurement by obstructing the • 
thermometer’s optics.
The manufacturer or supplier accepts no responsibility whatsoever for incorrect displays or the • 
consequences which can arise from such incorrect displays.
Laser
Never look into the laser beam and never point it at people or animals. Laser radiation can • 
cause damage to eyes or skin.
This product is equipped with a class 2 laser according to EN 60 825-1. Never open the device. • 
Any  adjustment  or  service  work is only to  be  carried  out  by  qualied personnel who  are • 
familiar with the risks involved. Improperly made adjustments may result in hazardous laser 
radiation.
During operation of the device, the laser has to be directed in such a way that no person is • 
located within the range of projection and that unwanted reected rays (e.g. due to reecting 
objects) do not get into the range of any person.
If possible, restrict the range of radiation by using screens or partitions.• 
Never open the device. Any adjustment or service work is only to be carried out by qualied • 
personnel who are familiar with the risks involved. Improperly made adjustments may result 
in hazardous laser radiation.
Included in the delivery are reference signs for the laser in different languages. In case the • 
sign on the laser is not written in the language of your country, please x the respective sign 
onto the laser.
Battery
Observe correct polarity while inserting the battery.• 
Remove the battery if the device is not used for a long period of time to avoid damage through • 
leaking. Leaking  or  damaged  batteries might  cause  acid  burns when  contact  with  skin, 
therefore use suitable protective gloves to handle corrupted batteries.
Keep batteries out of reach of children. Do not leave the battery lying around, as there is risk, • 
which children or pets could swallow it.
Make sure that batteries are not dismantled, short-circuited or thrown into re.• 
Never recharge non-rechargeable batteries. There is a risk of explosion!• 
Miscellaneous
The product must not be used for medical or public purposes.• 
Repair works must only be carried out by a specialist/ specialist workshop.• 
If  you have  queries about  handling  the  device,  that are  not answered  in  this  operating • 
instruction, our technical support is  available under the following address and telephone 
number:
Voltcraft
®
, 92242 Hirschau, Lindenweg 15, Germany, phone 0180 / 586 582 7.
OPERATING ELEMENTS5. 
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Battery compartment1. 
“LCD/Laser” button2. 
“MAX/MIN” button3. 
LC display4. 
Laser pointer5. 
Infrared sensor6. 
“ºC/ºF” button7. 
Trigger8. 
DISPLAY6. 
A
B
C
D E F
G
H
I
A Symbol for “MAX/MIN” mode
B Measured temperature
C Symbol for “SCAN” mode
D Symbol for “HOLD” function
E Laser symbol
F Emissivity symbol
G Temperature units
H Low battery symbol
I Maximum/minimum temperature
INSERTING THE BATTERIES7. 
Replace the battery as soon as the low battery symbol appears on the display.1. 
Open the battery compartment cover.2. 
Connect the 9 V battery to the battery connector. The 9 V battery can only be inserted one way 3. 
and hence cannot have the wrong polarity. Do not use force to insert the battery.
Close the battery compartment cover.4. 
OPERATION8. 
Operating principle
IR  thermometers  measure  the  surface  temperature  of  an  object. The  sensor  on  the  device 
records the heat radiation emitted, reected and transmitted from the object, and converts this 
information into a temperature value. The emission levelis a value used to describe the energy 
radiation characteristics of a material. The higher the value, the more capable the material is of 
emitting radiation. Many organic materials and surfaces have an emission level of approx. 0.95. 
Metallic surfaces or shiny materials have a lower emission level and therefore return inaccurate 
measured values.
Measurement distance / measurement surface area ratio (D/S)
To achieve accurate measurements,  the target  must be larger  than the thermometer’s • 
measuring  area.  The  measured  temperature  is  the  average  temperature  of  the  area 
measured.
The smaller the target, the smaller the measurement distance between thermometer and • 
target object has to be.
The distance to target / size of IR focal spot ratio is 8:1. With a distance of 8 cm to the target, • 
the size of the IR focal spot is thus 1 cm.
ø25, 200
8D
=
1S
ø50, 400
ø100, 800
Spot size (mm)
Legend
Laser
Infrared
Measuring Distance (mm)
Measuring
To obtain  the best measurement  results, orient  the infrared sensor  of the  thermometer 1. 
vertically to the target object surface.
Hold down the trigger to start the measurement. “SCAN” appears on the display.2. 
The measured temperature is shown on the display.3. 
While holding down the trigger, press the “LCD/Laser” button 4. 
once to activate the laser pointer (laser symbol appears on the display), -
twice for additionally activating the LCD backlight, -
three times to switch off the laser pointer, or -
four times to switch off the LCD backlight. -
After the trigger has been released the measured value is saved for approx. eight seconds. 5. 
“HOLD” appears on the display.
The thermometer switches off automatically after eight seconds of inactivity.6. 
Press the “ºC/ºF” button to switch between the two units.•
The device saves the measured maximum and minimum temperatures during the •
current measurement. Press the “MAX/MIN” button to show these values in the 
lower part of the display.
CARE AND MAINTENANCE9. 
Lens cleaning: Blow off loose particles using clean compressed air and then brush the remaining 
debris away with a ne lens brush. Wipe the surface with a lens cleaning cloth or a clean, soft, lint-
free cloth. In the case of ngerprints or any other grease formation, the cloth may be moistened 
with water or lens cleaning uid. Do not use acid, alcohol, or other solvents or harsh, linty cloth to 
clean the lens. Avoid and excessive pressure.
Cleaning the exterior:  To clean the exterior housing, use soap and water or a mild commercial 
cleaner. Do not use abrasive or solvents!
DISPOSAL10. 
General
In order to preserve, protect and improve the quality of environment, protect human 
health and utilise natural resources prudently and rationally, the user should return 
unserviceable product to relevant facilities in accordance with statutory regulations.
The crossed-out wheeled bin indicates the product needs to be disposed separately 
and not as municipal waste.
Batteries / rechargeable batteries
The  user  is  legally  obliged  (battery  regulation)  to  return  used  batteries  and 
rechargeable batteries.  Disposing used batteries  in the household  waste is 
prohibited! Batteries/ rechargeable batteries containing hazardous substances are 
marked  with  the  crossed-out  wheeled  bin.  The  symbol  indicates  that  the  product 
is forbidden to be disposed via the domestic refuse. The chemical symbols for the 
respective hazardous substances are Cd = Cadmium, Hg = Mercury, Pb = Lead.
You can return used batteries/ rechargeable batteries free of charge to any collecting 
point of your local authority, our stores or where batteries/ rechargeable batteries are 
sold.
Consequently  you  comply  with  your  legal  obligations  and  contribute  to  environmental 
protection!
TECHNICAL DATA11. 
Power supply: 9 V battery
Emissivity: 0.95 (not adjustable)
Laser wavelength: 630 - 670 nm
Laser emission rating: < 1 mW
Laser class: II
Measuring range: -30 ºC to 260 ºC (-22 ºF to 500 ºF)
Operating temperature: 0 ºC to 50 ºC (32 ºF to 122 ºF)
Storage temperature: -20 ºC to 60 ºC (-4 ºF to 140 ºF)
Relative air humidity: 10 % to 90 % (Operation)
< 80 % (Storage)
Dimensions (W x H x D): 41.5 x 160 x 82 mm
Weight: 180 g
Measuring range Resolution Accuracy
-30 °C to 0 °C (-22 °F to 32 °F) 0.1 ºC/ºF ± 4.5 °C (± 8 °F)
0 °C to 260 °C (32 °F to 500 °F) ± 2.5 % rdg ± 2 °C (± 4 °F)
Emission level of different surfaces
The emission levels in the table are approximate values. Different parameters such 
as geometry and the surface quality can affect the emission level of an object.
Surface  Emission level  Surface  Emission level
Asphalt  0.90 – 0.98 Varnish (matt)  0.97
Concrete 0.94  Human skin  0.98
Ice  0.96 – 0.98  Mortar  0.89 – 0.91
Ferric oxide  0.78 – 0.82  Paper  0.70 – 0.94
Soil. Humus  0.92 – 0.96 Plastics  0.85 – 0.95
Hard plaster 0.80 – 0.90 Sand  0.90
Glass/ceramics 0.90 – 0.95  Textiles 0.90
Rubber (black)  0.94 Water  0.92 – 0.96
Varnish 0.80 – 0.95  Bricks 0.93 – 0.96
These operating instructions are published by Voltcraft®, 
Lindenweg 15, D-92242 Hirschau/ Germany, Phone +49 180 586 582 7.
All  rights  including  translation  reserved.  Reproduction  by  any  method,  e.g.  photocopy, 
microlming,  or  the  capture  in  electronic  data  processing  systems  require  the  prior  written 
approval by the editor. Reprinting, also in part, is prohibited. 
The operating instructions reect the current technical specications at time of print. 
We reserve the right to change the technical or physical specications.
© Copyright 2011 by Voltcraft®.
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