Temperature Calibration - UKAS
Contact Thermometer and Infrared Thermometer Calibration
Our UKAS temperature laboratory uses a range of reference platinum resistance thermometers, noble metal thermocouples, stirred liquid baths, specially designed isothermal calibration furnaces and black body sources to provide a comprehensive facility for cost effective thermometer calibration or temperature probe calibration over the range -80ºC to 1,200ºC.
Both contact thermometers or temperature probes such as thermocouples, prts and dial thermometers; and non-contact infrared thermometers and thermal imaging cameras are covered. We can even calibrate temperature sources such a dry block calibrators or calibration baths and black body sources (IR calibrators).
We are also able to offer stand alone UKAS calibration of digital thermometer readouts (without a temperature probe). As these are essentially an electrical instrument they are calibrated in our electrical laboratory.
The calibration uncertainties detailed below are typical examples of our best calibration and measurement capability for a reasonably repeatable thermometer. The final uncertainties quoted on the calibration certificate will include an allowance for the actual repeatability of the thermometer under test during the calibration. If the thermometer was submitted with its own readout and hence calibrated as a system, then an additional allowance will be included in the uncertainty budget to cover the resolution of the thermometer readout.
For more information, give us a call on 01257 244 670 or send an enquiry from our contact page.
Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibration (PRTs / RTDs)
Best UKAS Temperature Calibration Uncertainties (for a stable 4 wire PRT)...
±0.013ºC at -80ºC
±0.011ºC at -50ºC
±0.003ºC at 0.01ºC (tpw)
±0.010ºC at 20ºC
±0.015ºC at 160ºC
±0.016ºC at 260ºC
±0.032ºC at 420ºC
±0.055ºC at 660ºC
Industrial 2, 3 and 4 wire PRTs will have a larger uncertainty.
Thermocouple Calibration (Base Metal Types)
Thermometer probes and also thermocouple compensation or thermocouple extension cable, over the relevant range.
Typical UKAS Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.15ºC from -80ºC to 420ºC
±0.20ºC from 420ºC to 660ºC
±1.20ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±2.10ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
The above uncertainties are typically our best for most high quality stable base metal thermocouples. A typical industrial thermocouple will attract a larger uncertainty. Over the -80ºC to 250ºC temperature range we able able to significantly improve on these uncertainties for thermocouples that have an integral cold junction. The process is however time consuming and quite expensive, and for most applications, unnecessary.
Platinum Thermocouple Calibration
Thermometer probes and also noble metal extension cable or type 'U' thermocouple compensation cable, over the relevant range.
Typical UKAS Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.50ºC from 20ºC to 660ºC
±1.30ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±2.20ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
Again, these are typically our best uncertainties for most high quality stable platinum thermocouples. Typical industrial thermocouples will attract a larger uncertainty. Over the 0ºC to 250ºC temperature range we can significantly improve on these uncertainties for thermocouples or that have an integral cold junction.
Calibration of Indicating Thermometers (temperature probes with readout, calibrated as a system)
The device under test may be an electronic display with an attached probe. All temperature probe or thermometer types are covered, including PRT, thermistor or thermocouple.
Dial thermometer and chart recorder type devices are also covered.
The basic calibration uncertainty will usually be a little better than the uncertainties achievable for 4 wire PRTs, but with an additional allowance for repeatability of the device under test and resolution of its readout.
Calibration of Dry Block Temperature Calibrators or Calibration Baths
Typical UKAS Temperature Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.035ºC from -80ºC to 0ºC
±0.041ºC from 0ºC to 150ºC
±0.053ºC from 150ºC to 250ºC
±0.076ºC from 250ºC to 425ºC
±0.11ºC from 425ºC to 660ºC
±1.0ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±1.9ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
Infrared Thermometer Calibration (Radiation Thermometer)
Typical UKAS Infrared Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.9ºC from 100ºC to 200ºC
±1.1ºC from 200ºC to 300ºC
±1.4ºC from 300ºC to 400ºC
±1.7ºC from 400ºC to 500ºC
UKAS accredited IR thermometer calibration can currently be undertaken over the above range. The actual uncertainties on your calibration certificate may be larger than these depending on the stability and repeatability of the device under test.
Calibration of Thermal Imager (Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera)
Thermal imaging cameras that are able to display a measured radiant temperature should be calibrated. Our temperature ranges and uncertainties for UKAS thermal imager calibration will be similar to those quoted for an infrared thermometer calibration.
Both contact thermometers or temperature probes such as thermocouples, prts and dial thermometers; and non-contact infrared thermometers and thermal imaging cameras are covered. We can even calibrate temperature sources such a dry block calibrators or calibration baths and black body sources (IR calibrators).
We are also able to offer stand alone UKAS calibration of digital thermometer readouts (without a temperature probe). As these are essentially an electrical instrument they are calibrated in our electrical laboratory.
The calibration uncertainties detailed below are typical examples of our best calibration and measurement capability for a reasonably repeatable thermometer. The final uncertainties quoted on the calibration certificate will include an allowance for the actual repeatability of the thermometer under test during the calibration. If the thermometer was submitted with its own readout and hence calibrated as a system, then an additional allowance will be included in the uncertainty budget to cover the resolution of the thermometer readout.
For more information, give us a call on 01257 244 670 or send an enquiry from our contact page.
Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibration (PRTs / RTDs)
Best UKAS Temperature Calibration Uncertainties (for a stable 4 wire PRT)...
±0.013ºC at -80ºC
±0.011ºC at -50ºC
±0.003ºC at 0.01ºC (tpw)
±0.010ºC at 20ºC
±0.015ºC at 160ºC
±0.016ºC at 260ºC
±0.032ºC at 420ºC
±0.055ºC at 660ºC
Industrial 2, 3 and 4 wire PRTs will have a larger uncertainty.
Thermocouple Calibration (Base Metal Types)
Thermometer probes and also thermocouple compensation or thermocouple extension cable, over the relevant range.
Typical UKAS Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.15ºC from -80ºC to 420ºC
±0.20ºC from 420ºC to 660ºC
±1.20ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±2.10ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
The above uncertainties are typically our best for most high quality stable base metal thermocouples. A typical industrial thermocouple will attract a larger uncertainty. Over the -80ºC to 250ºC temperature range we able able to significantly improve on these uncertainties for thermocouples that have an integral cold junction. The process is however time consuming and quite expensive, and for most applications, unnecessary.
Platinum Thermocouple Calibration
Thermometer probes and also noble metal extension cable or type 'U' thermocouple compensation cable, over the relevant range.
Typical UKAS Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.50ºC from 20ºC to 660ºC
±1.30ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±2.20ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
Again, these are typically our best uncertainties for most high quality stable platinum thermocouples. Typical industrial thermocouples will attract a larger uncertainty. Over the 0ºC to 250ºC temperature range we can significantly improve on these uncertainties for thermocouples or that have an integral cold junction.
Calibration of Indicating Thermometers (temperature probes with readout, calibrated as a system)
The device under test may be an electronic display with an attached probe. All temperature probe or thermometer types are covered, including PRT, thermistor or thermocouple.
Dial thermometer and chart recorder type devices are also covered.
The basic calibration uncertainty will usually be a little better than the uncertainties achievable for 4 wire PRTs, but with an additional allowance for repeatability of the device under test and resolution of its readout.
Calibration of Dry Block Temperature Calibrators or Calibration Baths
Typical UKAS Temperature Calibration Uncertainties...
±0.035ºC from -80ºC to 0ºC
±0.041ºC from 0ºC to 150ºC
±0.053ºC from 150ºC to 250ºC
±0.076ºC from 250ºC to 425ºC
±0.11ºC from 425ºC to 660ºC
±1.0ºC from 660ºC to 1100ºC
±1.9ºC from 1100ºC to 1200ºC
Infrared Thermometer Calibration (Radiation Thermometer)
Typical UKAS Infrared Calibration Uncertainties...
±1.7ºC from -30ºC to -10ºC
±1.3ºC from -10ºC to 15ºC
±0.9ºC from 15ºC to 20ºC
±0.6ºC from 20ºC to 100ºC±0.9ºC from 100ºC to 200ºC
±1.1ºC from 200ºC to 300ºC
±1.4ºC from 300ºC to 400ºC
±1.7ºC from 400ºC to 500ºC
UKAS accredited IR thermometer calibration can currently be undertaken over the above range. The actual uncertainties on your calibration certificate may be larger than these depending on the stability and repeatability of the device under test.
Calibration of Thermal Imager (Infrared Thermal Imaging Camera)
Thermal imaging cameras that are able to display a measured radiant temperature should be calibrated. Our temperature ranges and uncertainties for UKAS thermal imager calibration will be similar to those quoted for an infrared thermometer calibration.
Calibration of Black Body Source (Infrared Calibrator)
In addition to calibrating IR thermometers and thermal imaging cameras we are able to offer a Radiometric UKAS calibration of IR Calibrators e.g. the Fluke 9132 / 9133 and the Fluke 4181 / 4180. Our temperature ranges and uncertainties for UKAS calibration will be similar to those quoted above.
For more information, give us a call on 01257 244 670 or send an enquiry from our contact page.
In addition to calibrating IR thermometers and thermal imaging cameras we are able to offer a Radiometric UKAS calibration of IR Calibrators e.g. the Fluke 9132 / 9133 and the Fluke 4181 / 4180. Our temperature ranges and uncertainties for UKAS calibration will be similar to those quoted above.
For more information, give us a call on 01257 244 670 or send an enquiry from our contact page.
ITS-90
The International Temperature Scale of 1990
The International Temperature Scale of 1990
The international measurement community defines a temperature scale which is sufficiently reproducible and accurate to satisfy most practical requirements. This scale is revised periodically, the latest revision being the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90).
ITS-90 approximates the true thermodynamic scale by specifying a number of fixed points along the scale, such as the triple point of mercury -38.8344°C , the triple point of water 0.01°C , the melting point of gallium 29.7646°C, and so on. These fixed points are selected because their temperatures are fixed by a physical process and hence are highly reproducible anywhere in the world. ITS-90 also specifies highly reproducible types of thermometers to interpolate between these fixed points.
We use ITS-90 as the reference scale when we carry out temperature calibration work.
