Keywords
Citation
(1999), "New checkmate allows self certification of temperature monitoring", Industrial Lubrication and Tribology, Vol. 51 No. 6. https://doi.org/10.1108/ilt.1999.01851fad.002
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 1999, MCB UP Limited
New checkmate allows self certification of temperature monitoring
New products and materials
New checkmate allows self certification of temperature monitoring
Keyword: Temperature
It is universally accepted that verification of temperature, whether achieved by liquid in glass thermometers, thermocouples, resistance thermometers, thermistors or infra red pyrometry units is best achieved by a NAMAS (UKAS) calibration certificate. However, in many cases this can prove to be impractical or too expensive. For example, in this case of low cost infra red optical thermometry, the price of a unit can be as little as £70 for a unit measuring from -24 C to +300 C but a calibration certificate covering this temperature band may be three times this cost.
Self-verification may hold the key and Derbyshire based temperature measurement specialist TMS Europe Ltd has used its extensive expertise to develop an affordable answer - the Checkmate. This simple device is an inexpensive way (from £25) of verifying digital contact and non-contact thermometers against a NAMAS calibrated reference standard.
The Checkmate consists of an aluminium cup with a heavy cast iron base which acts as an isothermal stabilising block. The base is machined and coated to produce an emissivity of 0.95, thus replicating the fixed emissivity of most low temperature non-contact thermometers. It also provides an area for surface contact thermometer.
The probe of a NAMAS (UKAS) calibrated reference thermometer is fitted into one of the pockets machined into the base of the Checkmate and this accurately measures the temperature of the equalising block. Other pockets are provided for probes of the digital thermometers under test. Thus, the temperature displayed on any number of both non-contact and digital thermometers can be checked quickly and easily against a NAMAS calibrated unit and any temperature difference can be recorded with minor errors used to compensate in actual measurement. Significant errors will alert the user to return the unit for repair and re-calibration.
The Checkmate can also be used in a similar way to verify most surface contact probes by using the internal central flat area of the equalising block as a reference point.
TMS Europe Ltd can supply a suitable digital thermometer with resistance thermometer probe. Called the THERM 1 it is available for £145.00 and comes complete with a full NAMAS system calibration at: -18, 0, 70, 100, 120 and 165 C with + or - 0.0 8 C uncertainty.
A full verification system with NAMAS calibration certificate can cost less than £170.00 with yearly re-calibrations and NAMAS certificate for £50.00.
For more information contact Horbury Winder at TMS Europe on +44 (0) 1433 620535 or at TMS Europe Ltd, Cross Works, Castleton, Hope Valley, S33 8WP.