Temperature Calibrators
Temperature measurement is a common procedure both in laboratories and in industries on a daily basis. Making it crucial to maintain accurate temperature data regularly through calibration.
Industrial temperature instruments are calibrated using temperature calibrators. Depending on the application, temperature calibrators range from handheld units for laboratory calibration to heavy-duty dry blocks for on-site calibration. Throughout this blog, we'll explore temperature calibrators and how they work.
Temperature Calibrators
Temperature calibrators are compact devices in analogue or digital format, robust and suitable for on-site conditions. They can calibrate an instrument in its operating environment without removing it from the process.
In other words, the process of temperature calibration involves exposing the thermometer to stable, known temperatures.
Different people have different ideas about what a temperature calibrator is. It is common for an individual's application to change their concept of a temperature calibrator. Normally, when people hear the phrase temperature calibrator, their minds go to a portable device designed to simulate temperature sensors in a real-life situation.
While others define it as a heating device with a calibrated display, such as ice baths, furnaces, or ovens. Alternatively, some believe temperature calibrators are devices where the temperature is simulated or measured.
A temperature calibrator works on the same principle regardless of how people perceive it - calibrators are used to assess the accuracy of a temperature device within specific parameters that are subject to uncertainty or accuracy.
These devices are commonly used by technicians and calibration-certified engineers for testing transmitters, controllers, alarms, and computer systems.
Types of Calibrators
When selecting a temperature calibrator, it is helpful to consider the temperature range, the chemical resistance of the calibrator, and overall vibration and abrasion resistance. The most common calibrators are Thermocouple, Drywell, and RTD, each of which is suitable for a different temperature range.
The commonly used types of temperature calibrators in industries include the following:
1 - Thermocouple calibrator
Thermocouple calibrators are used for calibrating devices that use thermocouples as input signals such as meters, controllers, transmitters, data loggers, and recorders.
2 - Drywell calibrator
Drywell calibrators are Ideal for checking dial gauges, digital thermometers, bulb switches, and other sensors that need calibration below ambient.
3 - RTD calibrator
RTD calibrator is used for testing, calibrating, and documenting the performance of an RTD transmitter.
How do temperature calibrators work?
As we all know that calibrators are devices that verify whether temperature-measuring devices are providing accurate readings. The error and accuracy limits of temperature devices can also be determined by using these instruments.
Temperature calibrators are designed to accurately measure, generate, or simulate low-level signals encountered in industrial devices. They're composed of two dissimilar metals that produce a small voltage when joined together - you can then read this signal.