NIST Seminar - Selection, Calibration, and Use of Contact Thermometers

In this seminar, we will discuss contact thermometers commonly used in industry for applications that use platinum resistance thermometers, thermistors, thermocouples, and liquid-in-glass thermometers.

Lecture topics covered will include:

• Thermometer overview of each type, characteristics, and expected uncertainties;
• Selecting a thermometer for a specific application;
• Creating a calibration uncertainty budget and a temperature measurement uncertainty budget,
• Selecting alternatives to mercury-filled thermometers,
• Calibration techniques and measurement validation methods,
• Alternatives to traditional calendar recall dates for recalibration,
• Statistical process control and maintaining traceability to NIST,
• The step-by-step development of a Scope of Accreditation (e.g. uncertainty budgets) for different temperature calibration services,
• An assessor’s point of view during an on-site technical assessment, and
• Proficiency tests for achieving accreditation.

Laboratory session will include:

• Using an ice melting to check the calibration status of your thermometer
• Determining the uncertainty of a dry-well block calibrator
• Exploring the measurement differences and uncertainties between alternative thermometers

The seminar will begin at 8:00 am Monday, March 14th, 2011 and end 5:00 pm Wednesday, March 16th, 2011.

Greg Strouse and Karen Garrity, NIST Process Measurements Division