Fluke Calibration

Web Seminar Series

How to Calibrate an RTD

Using a Dry-block Calibrator
Presenter: Bouraoui KHACHLOUF

Function: Regional Product Manager - MEAT

Temperature, Humidity & Pressure

Bouraoui.khachlouf@flukecal.com
+216 52 52 11 25

• Background: Metrology & Calibration

• Experience:
Since 1993 in the field of Metrology through various roles as technical
manager in Air Force and private calibration laboratories 16 years, then in
Sales and support of Fluke calibration products for more than 13 years, the
last 8 years working directly for Fluke Corporation in different positions.
Agenda

How to Calibrate an RTD Using a Dry-Block Calibrator

• Quick Dry-block introduction
• Dry-block sources of error
• Finding solutions for common errors and problems
• Calculating uncertainties
• How to calibrate probes with odd shapes and sizes
• Temperature range concerns
• Liquid-in-glass thermometers
• RTD calibration example
• Dry-block maintenance
• Summary / Q & A
 Dry-Block Introduction
Dry-Blocks/Dry-Wells
▪ Moderate accuracy
▪ Fixed hole diameter
▪ Fixed immersion depth
▪ Dry and clean
▪ Portable 9100S
Handheld Dry-well
▪ Faster temperature changes
▪ Internal reference probe 9190A
Ultra-Cool
Field Metrology Well

914X Series
Field Metrology Wells
Components of a temp cal system – cal of
both transmitter and sensor

Transmitter
(UUT)
Reference
thermometer
1) Reference thermometer 2) Thermometer readout Temp sensor
immersed in
Built-in temperature
thermometer source
readout

3) Stable temperature
source
 Dry-Block Sources of Errors

• Immersion effects
• Stem conduction
• Well contact errors
• Display accuracy
• Stability
• Uniformity (radial & axial)
• Loading
EURAMET cg-13

Conformance to EURAMET cg-13

Calibration of Temperature Block Calibrators

• Gives guidance on measurement practices for the purpose

of producing calibration results that can be recognized and
accepted throughout Europe
• The approaches taken are not mandatory
• A means of promoting a consistent approach to good
measurement practice

• Key terminology:
– Stability over time
– Axial homogeneity
http://www.euramet.org – Radial homogeneity
– Loading
– Hysteresis
 Dry-Block – Immersion Effects

• Immersion depth of
the UUT is critical
• Dry-blocks are
generally calibrated
by fully inserting a
reference probe
 Dry-Block – Immersion Effects

• By adding a reference
probe, we can be less
concerned with the control
probe location
• The UUT and Reference
can be moved to different
depths
• Immersion depth should
still be considered
• (15 X Probe Diameter)
• Many Fluke dry-blocks
include a reference Input
 Dry-Block – Stem Conduction
• May impact the ability to make a good measurement
• The probe sheath acts as heat sink
• Probe diameter / length matter in a drywell.
• (15 x probe diameter + Sensor Length) is a good rule to follow

Heat
 Thermometer Fit : Dry-Block – Well Contact Errors

Fit is important
Loose fitting probes exhibit
erratic behavior Probe
Insert
Wells should be 0.125 -0.25mm
Air Gap
larger than the diameter of the 0.25 mm
probe for 13mm diameter 0.25
mm
probes and smaller.
Too snug, and the probe may
become stuck

Errors caused by air gaps between thermometer sheath and metal well
 Dry-Block – Display Accuracy
Direct Mode
• Generally a one year
specification on a spec sheet
• Internal control sensors are
designed to be robust
• Display accuracy can be one
of the largest contributors to
the overall uncertainty

Typical display uncertainty

as good as ± 0.2 °C
 Temperature Reference Standard

Indirect Mode

- Typical system uncertainty can be as

good as ± 0.05 °C
- Better than display uncertainty by nearly a
factor of five
 EURAMET cg-13 – Stability

Check dry-block Temperature Stability Measurement

specifications
100.145

Temperature Deviation, °C
Units generally come with 100.140
2 Sigma = ±0.009°C
100.135
optimized proportional 100.130

bands 100.125

100.120
Fine tuning the proportional 100.115

band may help at specific 100.110

Peak to Peak = 0.026°C
temperatures 100.105 Peak = 0.026°C / 2 = ±0.013°C
100.100

0:00
0:01
0:02
0:03
0:04
0:06
0:07
0:08
0:09
0:11
0:12
0:13
0:14
0:15
0:17
0:18
0:19
0:20
0:22
0:23
0:24
0:25
0:26
0:28
0:29
0:30
0:31
0:33
0:34
0:35
Time

Temperature stability is one of the most basic and commonly measured limitations to performance of a dry-well.
Measurements are often made over a period of 30 minutes
 Drywell Uniformity

• Axial Uniformity – Variation in

the temperature along the axial
length of the insert (block) within
the measurement zone.

• Radial Uniformity – Variation in

the temperature between different
wells of the insert (block) within
the measurement zone.

• Measurement Zone – Space

occupied by the sensitive
elements of the UUTs measured,
both axially and radially. Allow for
the range of sensor length. Radial (Horizontal or Hole to Hole) Axial (Vertical) gradient
gradient Temperature variations within the
Temperature variations between different same well at different depths
wells at the same depth.
 Dry-Block – Axial Uniformity

• Axial Uniformity – Variation in the

temperature along the axial length of the
insert (block) within the measurement
zone
• Generally inherent to the dry-block
• The closer the sensing element is to
ambient air, the larger the uncertainties
• Higher temperatures present larger
errors
• Look for dry-blocks with a calibrated
zone for optimal results
EURAMET cg-13 – Axial Uniformity

Axial Uniformity – Variation in the temperature along the axial length of the insert
(block) within the measurement zone.
Axial Uniformity

Temperature variance from top to bottom

Thermometers
Probe immersion causes gradient effects

Temperature
Dry Block
Temperature Well Comparison should be made at similar
Gradient depths

Profiling heaters reduces net effect

 EURAMET cg-13 – Radial Uniformity

Radial Uniformity – Variation in the temperature between different wells of the

insert (block) within the measurement zone.
Temperature variance
Reference Gradient between holes
Radial Uniformity probe probe Holes should be
equidistant from heaters

Reference and test probes

should be similar diameter
 Dry-Block – Radial Uniformity

• Radial Uniformity –
Variation in the temperature
between different wells of the
insert (block) within the
measurement zone.
• Mostly inherent to the dry-
block design
• Heater placement and
profiling is critical during
engineering of the dry-block
 Dry-Block – Loading

• Loading can impact

uncertainties.
• Some models have a
specification
• Units without
specifications can be
evaluated in the field
 Calculating Uncertainties

RSS method is generally used to calculate

uncertainties when using a reference

btotal = (b1 ) 2 + (b2 ) 2 + (b3 ) 2

btotal = (ref ) 2 + ( stability ) 2 + (uniformity ) 2

 0.113C = (0.05C ) 2 + (0.1C ) 2 + (0.02C ) 2

Built in Reference Thermometer
9142-P at 0°C with 5609-9BND ext. ref.
Probability Standard
Specification (mK) Distribution Uncertainty
Axial Uniformity 25.00 Rectangular 14.43
Radial Uniformity 10.00 Rectangular 5.77
Loading Effect 6.00 Rectangular 3.46
Stability 10.00 Rectangular 5.77
Ref Probe Calibration 25.00 Rectangular 14.43
Ref Probe Drift & Hyst 10.00 Rectangular 5.77
Ref Probe Stem Conduction 2.00 Rectangular 1.15
Thermometer Accuracy 15.00 Rectangular 8.66
24.60
Total Uncertainty (k=2) 49.19

9142 at 0°C with Display

Probability Standard
Specification (mK) Distribution Uncertainty
Axial Uniformity 25.00 Rectangular 14.43
Radial Uniformity 10.00 Rectangular 5.77
Loading Effect 6.00 Rectangular 3.46
Stability 10.00 Rectangular 5.77
Short-term Drift 5.00 Rectangular 2.89
Hysteresis 25.00 Rectangular 14.43
Display Accuracy 200.00 Rectangular 115.47
117.63
Total Uncertainty (k=2) 235.26
Dry-Block – LIG’s

• Liquid and glass thermometers are not

recommended for use in a dry-block calibrator
• Mercury thermometers are on their way out
due to environmental concerns

1551A Ex/1552A Ex
Intrinsically Safe
“Stik” Thermometer
-80 °C to 160°C / 300 °C
 Dry-Block – Odd Shaped Probes
• Custom inserts are an option
• Micro-Baths might be a good
option to explore SST Flange

Transmitter
housing
 Temperature Range Concerns

• –100 to 1200 ºC
• May need to use multiple units
• It’s ok to switch from one dry-
block to the next
Model 9190A:
–95 to 140 ºC

Model 9143:
33 to 350 ºC

Model 9144:
50 to 660 ºC Model 9150:
150 to 1200 ºC
 Dry-Block – Maintenance

• Keep those wells clean, Scotch-Brite pads and

a gun cleaning kit work nicely
• Avoid dropping inserts or other heavy objects
into the well
• Avoid the use of thermo grease
• Recalibrate regularly
• Verify stability

• Protect inserts in low temperature

Sleeve Insulator
Why PRTs ?

• Thermometer types
• Digital
• Thermocouple

• PRT
• Good combination of
temperature range and
accuracy

• Thermistor

• Mechanical
– Bi-metallic
– Volumetric (LIG)
Two Procedures
Characterization
1.Measure resistance
2.Compare to a reference Comparison

3.Make a mathematical adjustment

Your Sensor and
to define the new R vs T
C F K Menu
1502
Probe Sample Comm Exit Enter

Readout
relationship External Reference
Thermometer

Tolerance Testing
1.Measure Temperature (resistance first)
2.Compare to a reference
3.Determine status of tolerance by
Dry-Well’s Thermometer/Controller
comparing results to requirements
 RTD Calibration Example

• Three-point RTD Calibration

• - 95 ºC, 0 ºC, 140 ºC
• Utilize the 9190A with the “Process
Option” to measure the UUT
• Set the 9190A to each of the three
set points, generally starting with the
lowest point
• Allow for plenty of soak time at each
temperature (15 minutes)
• Record a resistance at each set point
• Utilize at tool such as TableWare to
calculate coefficients
TableWare Software (Model 9933)
TableWare Software (Model 9933)
 Sensors

• Sensors – Calibrations Vary

– Calibrated by Fixed Point, Comparison, standard curve fit.
– Characterized using ITS-90, Poly, CVD, IEC DIN, Steinhart-Hart, etc.
Components of ITS-90
Interpolation equations
Define interpolation equations relating the measured
property of instruments to temperatures
ITS-90 coefficients
ITS-90 interpolation table
 Automate temperature sensor calibration
with the 1586A Super-DAQ
When the Super-DAQ is connected to a Fluke
Calibration dry-well, fluid bath, or furnace, it can
control the temperature source to calibrate up to 40
sensors automatically.

You simply program the set point temperatures and

their values, select a scan sequence, assign a
reference channel, and set the required stability band.

The Super-DAQ monitors the temperature source’s

stability through the reference channel, collects the
data from the reference probe and the “unit under test” 1586A Super-DAQ 9190A Ultra-Cool
(UUT) once stabilized, and then advances to the next with DAQ-STAQ Field Metrology Well
set-point temperature.

After you configure and start the test, you can walk
away to work on other things. The Super-DAQ just
made your day a whole lot easier!
 Application Note and Video
Application Note: Companion Video:
Automating Temperature Sensor Automating Temperature Sensor
Calibration with the 1586A Super-DAQ Calibration with the 1586A Super-DAQ

The application note and video demonstrate the Auto Test function of the
1586A using a 9142 Field Metrology which can be substituted with other
Fluke Calibration dry-wells, fluid baths, and furnaces.
 Dry-Block – Summary

• Dry-blocks are a great option in

many situations
• Highly portable and quick to
change temperature
• Sources of error should be
considered
• On board references are a great
way to combine several
instruments into one
• Be sure to contact us any time for
help with your specific application
Where Can I Find Out More?
• Fluke Calibration Website
www.flukecal.com
• Comparison Calibration Application Notes
– 914X Series Field Metrology Well
– 9190A Ultra-Cool Field Metrology Well
 New Web Seminars and Videos
• Live Web Seminars
• “How To Calculate Uncertainty For A Thermocouple Calibration System
* ” How to Calibrate Temperature Sensors and Electronics Using Three Common Methods
• “Getting Started in Pressure Calibration” h
• Recorded Web Seminars
• http://us.flukecal.com/training/web-seminars/On-demand
Videos
• Calibration Baths: Design, Quality and Customs Capability
• Others TBD
Questions ?
For further technical & commercial inquiries please call your Distributor or
Regional Sales Manager.

Bouraoui KHACHLOUF
Regional Product Manager, Temperature -
Middle East, Africa & Turkey

Office : +971-(0)4-550-8769
Mobile : +216 52 25 11 25
Email : bouraoui.khachlouf@flukecal.com
Web : www.flukecal.com
Thank you

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