ANEMOMETERS: CALIBRATION

1.

SCOPE

This NORDTEST method describes how instruments for measuring air velocities can be calibrated.

2.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The method can be used for the calibration of any type of instruments intended for measurement of air velocity provided the transducer is so small that no significant effect occurs in the reference air stream or a correction for the blockage can be made.

The instruments include mechanical instruments such as rotating vane and cup anemometers, as well as electronic and electromechanical instruments like thermoanemometers and electronic rotating vane and cup anemometers.

The instruments can have a build-in indicator or they can have an electrical output such as current, voltage or frequency or both.

published by NORDTEST Tekniikantie 12 Fin-02150 Espoo FINLAND www.nordtest.org

key words anemometers pitot static tubes calibration test method

classification UDC 533.6.08/551.508.5 ISSN 0283-7226

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3.

REFERENCES

1. Measurement of fluid flow in closed conduits - Velocity area method using Pitot static tubes. IS0 3966. 2. Equation for the Determination of the Density of Moist Air (1981), P. Giacomo, BIPM, Metrologia 18,33-40 (1982). 3. Draft Recommendation on the Statement of Uncertainties, P. Giacomo, BIPM, Metrologia 17,73 (1981).

4.

DEFINITIONS

Adjustment.

The operation intended to bring the instrument into a state of freedom from bias and suitable performance for its use.

Calibration.

The set of operations which establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system, or values represented by a material measure, and the corresponding known values of the measurand.

Correction.

The value which, added algebraically to the uncorrected result of a measurement, compensates for an assumed systematic error.

Traceability.

The property of a result of a measurement whereby it can be related to appropriate standards, generally international or national, through an unbroken chain of comparisons.

Uncertainty.

Uncertainty of a measurement. An estimate characterizing the range of values within which the true value of a measurand lies.

5.

SAMPLING

Not applicable.

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6.

METHOD OF TEST

6.1

Principle

The transducer is placed in an air stream of known velocity or is moved with known velocity through still air.

6.2

Apparatus

The air stream can be generated by an open jet or in a windtunnel. The air stream shall have a known velocity distribution, turbulence and density within the section where the transducer is placed. Low velocities can be generated by moving the transducer through a tank with still air.

The reference velocity can be determined by using a reference anemometer, by measuring the flow rate through a known area or by measuring the distance and time for the movement of a tracer in the air stream. At higher velocities, the reference velocity can be determined with a pitot static tube and a micromanometer in accordance with IS0 3966, (ref. 1). When calibrating in a tank with still air, the reference velocity is determined by the velocity of the transducer movement.

For instruments with an electrical output signal such as current, voltage or frequency, the necessary equipment for measuring of these quantities shall be available.

Instruments for measurement of the following conditions of the air stream shall be available:

- air temperature - relative humidity - barometric pressure

All measurements which are used in generation of the results in the final report shall be traceable to national or international standards.

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6.3

Preparation of test samples

Before calibration, the instrument is checked visually to ensure that it is working properly.

The calibration should normally be done with the instrument used as prescribed in the operating manual for the normal use of the instrument.

If the operating manual is not available, only a zero adjustment should be attempted and it should be stated in the certificate how this was achieved.

If further adjustments are requested by the customer, the necessary instructions for these must be available and be followed.

6.4

Procedure

The transducer is placed in the air stream. The axis of the transducer shall be aligned with the mean air flow direction with an angular deviation not exceeding the manufacturers specifications and preferably less than +/- 2 degrees.

For the calibration of a measuring range 11 measurements are performed. Each measurement consists of a determination of the reference velocity and a reading of the instruments indication or a measurement of the instruments output.

The measurements are performed at the following velocities: 0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100% of the span for the measuring range in question or limited by the maximum velocity for the calibration laboratory.

The sequence of measurements is from low to high velocities.

In addition to the measurements above, the air temperature, relative humidity and barometric pressure are measured. Based on these measurements the air density is calculated using the formula recommended by BIPM, (ref. 2).

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6.5

Expression of results

The result of the calibration is shown in a table with 3 or 4 columns.

The first column shows the reference velocity. The reference velocity shall be corrected for all known dependencies of influencial factors such as blockage, air density, air temperature, barometric pressure, relative humidity, turbulence, velocity distribution, etc. The influence of unknown dependencies must be estimated and their possible effect included in the estimation of uncertainty. The reference velocity is expressed in m/s.

The second column shows the instrument indication or the measured value of output signal including any correction specified by the manufacturer for the correct use of the instrument. The manufacturer may for instance have specified corrections to be applied if the measurement condition deviates from specified reference conditions. These could, for instance, be 20 C, 50% RH, 101.325 kPa. The unit of this column is the unit of the instrument indication or of the output signal.

The third column is only applied if the unit of the instrument indication is m/s. It contains the correction for the instrument calculated as: (reference velocity - instrument indication) The unit of correction is m/s. The fourth column contains the uncertainty of the reference velocity expressed in +/- m/s.

6.6

Uncertainty

The reference velocity is typically dependent on several quantities.

V = f (a, b, ....., n)

The uncertainty of each quantity can have several components. The method described in ref. 3 shall be used to calculate the combined

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uncertainty of the reference velocity. A multiplying factor of 3 must be used as described in paragraph 5 of the method.

A formula for the estimation of the uncertainty of a velocity determined by means of a pitot static tube can be found in ref. 1, chapter 12.5. However, please be aware that ref. 1 uses a multiplying factor of 2 instead of 3 as prescribed above.

The partial derivatives for the calculation of the uncertainty of air density can be found in ref. 2, page 39.

6.7

Test report

The calibration certificate or calibration report shall include the following information:

a) Name and address of the calibrating laboratory b) Identification number of the calibration cartificate c) Name and address of the organization or person who ordered the calibration d) Description of the calibrated instrument e) Name of manufacturer or supplier of the calibrated instrument f) Instrument type g) Instrument and transducer serial number h) Date of calibration i) Reference to this NORDTEST method j) Any deviations from this NORDTEST method k) Calibration results l) Conditions during the calibration (air temperature, RH, barometric pressure and air density) m) Identification of the equipment and reference instruments used for the calibration n) Traceability for measured reference velocity o) Date and signature