MLX90614 ESF Non-Contact Human Body Infrared Temperature Measurement Module

The MLX90614 ESF is a high-precision infrared thermometer module designed for non-contact measurement of human body temperature with exceptional accuracy across a wide ambient temperature range. Medical professionals, fever screening systems integrators, and IoT developers rely on this module for rapid thermal screening in hospitals, clinics, airports, and industrial facilities. This sensor solves the critical challenge of fast, hygienic temperature measurement without physical contact, eliminating cross-contamination risks while maintaining measurement accuracy within ±0.5°C for human body temperature applications.

Product Overview

The MLX90614 ESF operates on the principle of Thermopile infrared detection, capturing thermal radiation emitted by the human body in the 5-14 micrometer wavelength range. The module contains a specialized infrared sensor array coupled with a 17-bit analog-to-digital converter and a digital signal processor that calculates object temperature in real-time. The ESF variant features a standard 90-degree field of view with a 1.5mm optical window, making it ideal for forehead temperature measurement at distances of 5-15cm. The dual-zone measurement capability allows simultaneous sensing of object and ambient temperatures, enabling intelligent compensation for environmental variations.

What distinguishes the MLX90614 ESF from competing infrared sensors is its factory-calibrated accuracy, integrated I2C communication interface, and ability to function across -40°C to 85°C ambient operating range while measuring targets from -70°C to 380°C. The module integrates a precision voltage regulator and requires only 3.3V or 5V single-supply operation, consuming minimal power at 2.5mA typical current draw. The hermetically sealed TO-39 package with sapphire lens ensures long-term stability and resistance to moisture, dust, and thermal shock, critical for medical-grade applications.

Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Product Type	Non-Contact Infrared Temperature Sensor Module
Brand	Melexis
Origin	Original/Authentic
Warranty	7 days on manufacturing defects
Shipping	1-5 days from Bengaluru
Delivery	7-8 days across India
Support	24/7 via Email and WhatsApp
Measurement Range	-70°C to 380°C (object), -40°C to 85°C (ambient)
Accuracy	±0.5°C at human body temperature (36-39°C)
Field of View	90 degrees (ESF variant)
Communication Interface	I2C (SMBus compatible), 100kHz to 400kHz
Supply Voltage	3.3V to 5V DC
Current Consumption	2.5mA typical, 3.5mA maximum
Resolution	0.02°C per LSB (14-bit temperature data)
Response Time	100ms (90% response)
Package Type	TO-39 with sapphire lens window

Key Features

• Factory-Calibrated Accuracy: Pre-calibrated to ±0.5°C for human body temperature range, eliminating need for field calibration in medical applications
• Dual-Zone Temperature Sensing: Simultaneous measurement of object and ambient temperature enables automatic environmental compensation for improved accuracy
• I2C Digital Interface: SMBus-compatible communication protocol simplifies integration with microcontrollers, Raspberry Pi, Arduino, and industrial PLCs without requiring ADC conversion circuits
• Wide Measurement Range: Capable of measuring from -70°C to 380°C, supporting diverse applications from cryogenic monitoring to industrial thermal imaging
• Low Power Consumption: Operates at 2.5mA typical current, enabling battery-powered portable fever screening devices with extended runtime
• Hermetically Sealed Package: TO-39 metal housing with sapphire optical window provides protection against moisture, dust, and thermal shock for long-term reliability
• Fast Response Time: 100ms thermal response time ensures rapid temperature readings suitable for high-throughput screening environments
• Configurable Emissivity Settings: Programmable emissivity compensation allows calibration for different surface materials and measurement scenarios

Applications and Use Cases

• Medical Fever Screening: Integration into thermal screening kiosks and handheld thermometers for rapid body temperature detection in hospitals, clinics, and public health facilities across India
• Airport and Border Security: Deployment in automated fever detection gates at international airports and land borders for mass thermal screening of travelers without physical contact
• Industrial Temperature Monitoring: Monitoring of machinery, electrical equipment, and process temperatures in manufacturing plants, data centers, and power distribution facilities
• Wearable Health Devices: Integration into smartwatches, fitness bands, and personal health monitoring systems for continuous non-invasive body temperature tracking
• Home Healthcare Systems: Embedded in IoT-enabled home health monitoring devices that transmit temperature data to cloud platforms for remote patient monitoring and telemedicine applications
• Food Safety and Cold Chain Management: Monitoring of refrigerated food storage, vaccine cold chains, and pharmaceutical storage temperatures in hospitals and logistics networks
• Building Automation: Integration into HVAC systems and smart building management systems for occupant comfort monitoring and energy optimization
• Research and Development: Laboratory applications in thermal imaging, material science research, and biomedical studies requiring precise non-contact temperature measurement

How to Use

To integrate the MLX90614 ESF module, establish I2C communication by connecting the SCL and SDA pins to your microcontroller's I2C bus with 4.7kΩ pull-up resistors. Apply 3.3V or 5V to the VCC pin and ground the GND pin. The module's I2C address is 0x5A by default, but can be reprogrammed to addresses 0x00-0x7F for multi-sensor applications. Initialize your microcontroller's I2C interface at 100kHz to 400kHz clock speed and send read commands to retrieve temperature data from registers 0x07 (object temperature) and 0x06 (ambient temperature). Temperature values are returned as 16-bit signed integers with 0.02°C resolution per LSB, requiring conversion from raw register values using the formula: Temperature (°C) = (Raw_Value × 0.02) - 273.15.

For optimal measurement accuracy, position the sensor 5-15cm from the measurement target (typically the forehead center) perpendicular to the skin surface, ensuring the 90-degree field of view fully captures the target area. Allow 1-2 seconds stabilization time after power-up before taking measurements. Implement a rolling average filter over 5-10 consecutive readings to eliminate thermal noise and environmental fluctuations. Configure the emissivity register (address 0x04) to 0xFFFF for human skin (emissivity ≈ 0.98) to achieve maximum accuracy. For fever screening applications, set alarm thresholds in registers 0x02 and 0x03 to trigger alerts when object temperature exceeds 37.5°C, typical fever threshold for medical screening protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between MLX90614 ESF and other variants like DSA and SSA?

The MLX90614 ESF features a 90-degree field of view with standard optical characteristics, making it ideal for forehead temperature measurement at 5-15cm distances. The DSA variant offers a narrower 35-degree field of view for longer-distance measurements up to 50cm, suitable for crowd screening scenarios. The SSA variant provides a 10-degree field of view for very precise spot measurements. The ESF is the most popular choice for handheld thermometers and close-range medical screening applications due to its balanced field of view and measurement distance characteristics.

How accurate is the MLX90614 ESF for human body temperature measurement?

The MLX90614 ESF achieves ±0.5°C accuracy in the human body temperature range of 36-39°C when properly calibrated and positioned. This accuracy is factory-calibrated and does not require field calibration. However, accuracy depends on proper sensor positioning perpendicular to the skin, correct emissivity settings for human skin (0.98), and environmental temperature stability. In clinical studies, the module demonstrates accuracy comparable to contact thermometers when used in controlled environments. For medical-grade applications requiring higher accuracy, calibration against reference thermometers is recommended.

Can the MLX90614 ESF be used for non-contact measurement of objects other than human skin?

Yes, the MLX90614 ESF can measure any object's temperature from -70°C to 380°C by adjusting the emissivity compensation. However, measurement accuracy depends on the target's emissivity value. Human skin has emissivity ≈ 0.98, but other materials vary: polished metals (0.1-0.3), painted surfaces (0.8-0.95), ceramics (0.8-0.95), and water (0.96). The module's emissivity register (address 0x04) can be programmed with values from 0x2000 to 0xFFFF to compensate for different materials. For accurate measurement of non-skin surfaces, you must know or measure the target material's emissivity and configure the sensor accordingly.

What are the I2C communication requirements for the MLX90614 ESF?

The MLX90614 ESF uses SMBus-compatible I2C protocol with default address 0x5A. The module supports I2C clock speeds from 100kHz to 400kHz, with standard pull-up resistors (4.7kΩ) required on both SCL and SDA lines. Communication is initiated by the master device sending the slave address followed by register addresses to read temperature data. The module returns 16-bit values for object and ambient temperatures. Multi-sensor configurations require address reprogramming via the EEPROM, which can be done by applying a specific voltage sequence to the SDA pin. The I2C interface operates at the same voltage as the supply (3.3V or 5V), eliminating need for level shifters in most applications.

When will I receive my order?

Orders are dispatched within 1-5 business days from our Bengaluru warehouse. Delivery takes 7-8 days to most locations across India.

What is your return and warranty policy?

We offer a 7-day return policy on manufacturing defects only. Contact support within 7 days of receipt for free replacement or full refund. Not applicable for user damage or misuse.

Are bulk discounts available?

Yes, wholesale pricing for orders of 10 or more units. Contact

Buy MLX90614 ESF Non-Contact Human Body Infrared Temperature Measurement Module Online in India

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