Final answer:
A surface probe is used to measure the temperature on the surface of various equipment, like griddles, fryer tanks, and machinery. It is designed to directly contact the surface to provide a temperature reading and is different from pyrometers, which measure temperature without contact.
Step-by-step explanation:
An employee would use a surface probe to measure the temperature of equipment with surfaces that are not suitable for other types of temperature measurements, like immersion or penetration probes. These could include griddles, fryer tanks, hotplates in culinary settings, or machinery and mechanical equipment in industrial contexts. Surface probes are designed to make contact with flat, curved, or irregular surfaces to give a temperature reading.
For example, in an industrial setting, a technician might use a surface probe to check the thermal output on a heat sink or the exterior temperature of a running motor. In a culinary setting, a chef might use a probe to confirm the temperature of a grill or flat top, ensuring it's at the right heat for cooking specific foods. Surface probes are typically used alongside devices like digital thermometers or dataloggers, converting the thermal energy from the surface into a readable temperature output on the device.
These tools are quite different from devices like pyrometers mentioned in the context provided, which measure infrared radiation to determine temperature without contact. The choice between various types of temperature measurement tools depends on the specific application and the nature of the equipment being assessed.