ENGR. ORLANDO M.

ECHALUSE
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR V
INSTRUMENTATION AND CONTROL ENGINEERING
& MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING, ARCHITECTURE, AND TECHNOLOGY
RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

THERMOMETER CALIBRATION
AND HIERARCHY

1 . St a n d a r d P l a t i n u m Re s i s t a n c e
T h e r m o m et er
2 . P l a t i n u m Re s i s t a n c e T h e r m o m ete r
3 . L i q u i d - i n - G l a s s T h e r m o m et e r
4 . T h e r m o c o u p l e a n d RT D
5. Bi-Metallic

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

1
STANDARD PL ATINUM
RESISTANCE THERMOMETER

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

INDUSTRIAL PLATINUM RESISTANCE

THERMOMETER

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

2
CALIBRATION EQUIPMENT AND
SET-UP
A Variable Temperature Source. Dry block,
and Water/Oil Bath.

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

RTU CALIBRATION BENCH

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

3
C O M PA R I S O N M E T H O D

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

DRY WELL AS REFERENCE

STANDARD

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

4
 C A L I B R AT I O N U S I N G
EXTERNAL REFERENCE
S TA N D A R D

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

COMPARISON CALIBRATION IN STIRRED-LIQUID BATHS

TEMPERATURE OPERATING RANGE IS LIMITED, BUT

EXCELLENT TEMPERATURE GRADIENT IS OBTAINABLE.
SPRT
TEST TC

The use of isothermal

block can substantially
reduce the temperature
difference between the Stirred-liquid
standard thermometer
and the test
thermometer
Isothermal block

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

5
 C A L I B R AT I O N P R O C E D U R E
1 . I n s e r t t h e Re f e r e n c e St a n d a r d a n d D U T
into the temperature source in close
p r ox i m i t y

2. Set desired calibration set point.

3. Allow temperature source to stabilize

4. Measure and record reading.

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

Temperature Sensor & Transmitter

Calibration
Two basic methods: 100.0 °C
1. Calibrate the sensor and transmitter
together
- place sensor in a Temperature Temperature
Bath
Bath/Dry Block and
• measure the transmitter mA
current output, and/or 16.012 mA

• verify correct instrument Temperature

temperature indication Transmitter

- also called loop or system calibration

To indicator, control panel

and power supply

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

6
Temperature Instrument Calibration
Two basic methods:
2. Calibrate the transmitter separate from
the sensor
- disconnect the sensor from the
transmitter
• use a RTD Simulator or Decade
Resistance Box for RTD Input or
0.000 mA
Thermocouple Simulator for T/C
Input in place of the sensor, and
• measure the transmitter mA output
current Temperature
Transmitter
- also called individual instrument
calibration, or calibration through
simulation To indicator, control
panel and power supply

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

Calibration of a Temperature Transmitter through Simulation

Example:

Calibration tolerance is 1%: +/-1.5°C or 0.16 mA

Does the transmitter require adjustment?

Instrument is within tolerance, but should

be adjusted since it is close to the limits

A good rule of thumb: adjust if error is >

½ the specified tolerance

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

7
Temperature Controllers
– combination of temperature measuring / indicating device, and
– controller with some form of output circuit
Operation:
• Power fed to the heater is regulated (by a switch) according to the feedback information from the
comparator.
• The sensor provides temperature information to the indicator and comparator circuit.
• The comparator compares the temperature to the user-defined set point and turns on or off the heater switch
depending on whether the temperature is below or above the set point.
Temperature Controller
(Comparator)

Process > or < ?

Tank

Sensor

Power
Heater
Source

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

• Accurate control of temperature depends on accurate measurement of temperature.

• Therefore, only the temperature measuring function is calibrated.
• Thermocouples are the most widely used temperature sensors for industrial measurement and
control. Type K is the most common thermocouple type because of its:
- ready availability
- wide operating temperature range –50ºC to 1200ºC
- low cost
- ruggedness and resistance to most harsh environment and applications

Temperature Controller
(Comparator)

Process > or < ?

Tank

Sensor

Power
Heater
Source

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

8
Calibration of a Temperature Controller (by electrical simulation)

• Temperature controller calibration is performed by injecting signals that simulate the voltage
generated by thermocouples.
• A Thermocouple Simulator (mV source) provides a very quick and convenient method of
calibrating a temperature controller at many points.

Standard/Equipment Required:

- Thermocouple Simulator (mV source)

- Pair of short insulated copper wires (or thermocouple wire, preferred)

Test to be Performed:

The indication of the temperature controller will be verified over 5 to

10 test points over the range of the instrument using a Thermocouple
Simulator.

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE

Procedure:
Perform the following test in an environment of 20 to 28ºC stabilized to within  1ºC.
1. Connect the output terminals of the Thermocouple Simulator to the input terminals of the
temperature controller under test using a pair of short insulated copper wires.
2. Place the thermocouple simulator in very close proximity to the temperature controller and
allow both instruments to attain thermal equilibrium.
3. Program the thermocouple simulator for a 0ºC output. Record the temperature controller
indication.
4. Repeat step 3 for temperature values to 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% full scale of the temperature
controller.
Data Sheet

Thermocouple Simulator Temperature Controller

149 °C
Setting, ºC Indication, ºC 150.0 °C Temperature
_______________ _____________ (zero) Controller
+ -
_______________ _____________ (20% full scale) Thermocouple
Simulator
_______________ _____________ (40% full scale)
_______________ _____________ (60% full scale) + -
_______________ _____________ (80% full scale)
_______________ _____________ (full scale)
Calibration Set-up

Prepared by: ENGR. ORLANDO M. ECHALUSE