Temperature Calibrators

All temperature calibrators must have a way to source, read and report the temperature. 

Sourcing temperature

Two common ways to source temperature include 1) simulation and 2) producing physical heat. 

Temperature calibrators using simulation are often hand-held devices whose internal electronics can generate different levels of voltage (usually millivolts) or resistance to simulate temperature sensors. Voltage output signal represents a thermocouple at temperature and resistance output signal represents a RTD, PRT, or thermistor at temperature. The simulator lets the user choose which of many types of sensors to simulate and at which temperature to simulate the sensor in operation. A simulator therefore, is used to verify that a sensor readout, like a temperature transmitter or oven display, correctly measures and displays the electrical output from a temperature sensor.

Temperature calibrators that produce physical heat include dry-block furnaces, infrared radiation (IR) calibrators, temperature chambers, ovens, and temperature calibration baths. (These calibrators are described in more detail below.) These calibrators often have built-in sensors to measure and display the calibrator temperature. However, when high accuracy or low uncertainty is required, it is common to insert a more accurate sensor, called an external reference probe. These probes are often Platinum Resistance Thermometers (PRTs) or Resistance Temperature Devices (RTDs), that are inserted into the heat source next to the device-under-test (DUT) and are read and used as a reference rather than the less accurate built-in sensor.

Reading and reporting temperature

There are a few common ways temperature calibrators read and report temperatures. One common way is for the device that sources the temperature to have an input for measuring the DUT sensor. The temperature calibrator display then shows both its own temperature and the temperature of the DUT. Another common way is to insert a DUT sensor into the calibrator and the DUT sensor stays connected to the display, transmitter, or readout that is measuring the sensor. Then the displayed temperature of the calibrator is compared with the display of the DUT. This method is recommended because it verifies both the DUT sensor and DUT display.

For higher accuracy and ease of use, some temperature calibrators are equipped with an interface that allows the user to connect a reference digital thermometer system that measures the temperature calibrator with higher accuracy and can automatically communicate with the calibrator to set the temperature points and take measurements.

One way to categorize most temperature calibrators is into simulators and physical temperature sources.

Temperature sensor simulators

There are a few different types of temperature sensor simulators. It’s useful to understand the differences, some of which are obvious, but some can be very subtle.

Benchtop temperature sensor simulators and multi-function calibrators

A benchtop simulator is designed for the calibration laboratory. Sometimes they are more accurate and have more measurement functions than a portable simulator. Calibration laboratories use benchtop-style simulators for testing and calibrating readouts and displays that measure temperature sensors.

Portable temperature sensor simulators and documenting process calibrators

Portable temperature sensor simulators are smaller, easier to transport, and often can run on battery power. They are used for on-site work for checking temperature sensor circuits such as 4-20 mA transmitter systems, oven displays, and PLC (programmable logic controller) systems and are usually optimized for this type of work.

The Documenting Process Calibrators (DPC) are more powerful versions of portable simulators. They have more software options and features geared for factory process calibration needs. Some of these can run automated test sequences, record results, control other test and calibration instrumentation, and connect to data systems that are commonly used in factories and industrial process control.

Physical temperature sources

Physical temperature sources can be mostly classified as dry-block (dry-well) calibrators, furnaces or ovens, temperature baths, infrared calibrators, test chambers, and temperature fixed-points.

Dry block temperature calibrators

As the name implies, a dry-block calibrator uses no fluid to perform calibrations. The calibrator cools or heats a metal block into which the device under test (DUT), like a temperature probe or sensor, is inserted. The dry block normally includes an internal sensor and a readout screen that shows the temperature against which the DUT is compared. When lower uncertainty is required, a reference thermometer can be inserted in dry-block calibrators that have enough measurement wells. Some dry-block calibrators are equipped with a built-in readout and reference thermometer input, so an external thermometer readout is not needed for lower uncertainty measurements. The calibrator readout screen then displays both temperatures for comparison.

A thermocouple furnace is a type of dry-block calibrator that is rated for the highest temperatures (>500 °C). The reason it’s called a “thermocouple” furnace is that most RTDs and PRTs are not rated for extremely high temperatures while many thermocouples are.

A metrology well is another type of dry-block calibrator and is of the highest accuracy within the dry-block calibrator family. It utilizes zone-controlled heaters that provide better axial and radial specifications than a typical drywell. Fluke offers two lines of metrology-wells 1) lab grade 917x models and 2) field grade 914x models. The 914X model line is available with a process electronics option that provides 4-20 mA loop circuit for test and calibration of 4 to 20 mA measurement systems, RTD input, and thermocouple input all intended to reduce the number of instruments needed to do on-site work.

The main advantage of Dry-block calibrators over simulators is that the dry-block provides a true temperature calibration of the sensor. A simulator only simulates the sensor, so the assumption has to be taken that the sensor does not have any error which is a risky assumption. Temperature sensors change and drift over time, so they need to be checked also.

When compared to calibration baths, dry-block calibrators are less accurate than temperature baths with a reference thermometer. Also, it can be difficult and even impossible to measure odd-shaped sensors in a dry-block due to the difficulty of fitting the sensors into the metal blocks and test inserts with a snug fit. However, dry blocks are generally more portable than baths and avoid the need for fluids. They also move from one test temperature point to another more quickly than baths.

Temperature bath calibrators

As the name implies, a temperature bath uses a stirred fluid in a tank as a transfer medium to perform calibrations. Different types of fluids may be required depending on the application and calibration temperature range.

Temperature baths heat or cool fluid to desired test temperatures. They have a built-in temperature control system that displays the temperature of the bath, but, for the most part, baths are designed to use an external thermometer system for accurately measuring bath fluid temperature. The temperature uniformity and stability of baths are so good that only a good quality thermometer system can take advantage of the low uncertainties.

Temperature baths, when used with an external reference, are more accurate than dry-blocks. Their fluid tanks normally offer more space to calibrate more sensors at one time as well as odd or large-shaped sensors. The fluid also improves temperature uniformity and stability. However, that stability means that temperature baths will move from one test temperature point to the other more slowly than dry blocks, normally increasing the time to perform a calibration at multiple test temperature points. To overcome this issue, some calibration labs use multiple baths, each set at a different temperature point, where the DUT can be quickly moved from one bath to the next.

Infrared temperature calibrators

Infrared temperature calibrators use flat-plate (a metal disc painted black) or cavities (a metal tube painted black inside) that can be heated or cooled to different temperature test points and used to calibrate infrared temperature measuring devices. To perform the calibration, the infrared measuring device measures the radiated temperature of the black body.

A challenge with black body infrared calibrators is emissivity. Some IR calibrator manufacturers calibrate the IR calibrator using a reference thermometer like a PRT or thermocouple. They hope that the emissivity of the black body is exactly as specified so that the contact temperature measurement done during calibration translates well to a temperature measured in infrared. The problem is, emissivity can vary. The best way to address this problem is to ensure the IR calibrator is calibrated radiometrically, meaning it is calibrated with a reference IR thermometer system so emissivity is part of the calibration. The Fluke 418X IR calibrators are calibrated radiometrically.

Temperature fixed-points

Temperature fixed-points are temperature points based on the natural freezing and melting temperatures of pure materials. The most common fixed-point is the melting point of water. Many calibration labs use water-ice baths to check thermometers and sensors at 0 °C. The advantages are that they are fairly easy to build, and they can provide very good accuracy if built correctly. The disadvantages are that temperature can vary if they’re aren’t built correctly. The water boiling point is difficult to use because it is very sensitive to elevation and a water boiler doesn’t provide good temperature measurement conditions.

Other temperature fixed-points are fixed-point cells that are made specifically for temperature calibration. These are the devices required for calibrating SPRTs (Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer) on the International Temperature Scale of 1990. The triple-point of water cell is the most common and it provides the triple-point of water temperature, which is 0.01 °C, when ice is formed inside with some water remaining also. In this condition there is also water vapor at the top of the cell, so all three phases of water exist at the same moment, which occurs at 0.01 °C. Here’s a video that demonstrates how to realize the triple point of water in a glass cell.

Other materials used for temperature fixed-points are helium, hydrogen, argon, gallium, indium, tin, zinc, aluminum, silver, and copper. Some operate at the triple-point temperature of the material while others operate at the melt or freeze temperature of the material. They are typically very fragile and must be used very carefully but they are capable of providing the lowest uncertainties possible in temperature measurement.

A temperature calibrator for each use

Each type of temperature calibrator has its place depending on your application, uncertainty or accuracy needed, and temperature range.

Common things calibrated with a temperature calibrator include thermometers, thermocouples, thermistors, and temperature transmitters.

Common end users of temperature calibrators include calibration managers, calibration technicians, instrumentation technicians, maintenance managers, and reliability engineers who work in calibration labs, utilities, research and development, or manufacturing of industrial, food, or pharmaceutical products.

• Industrial Temperature Calibrator Selection Guide
• Calibration Bath Selection Guide
• Primary Standards Selection Guide
• Thermometer Probe Selection Guide
• Thermometer Readout Selection Guide
• Industrial temperature readout and probe selection guide
• Industrial Temperature Calibrators Workload Matrix