An accurate reading is critical when measuring temperature, especially in food processing plants and laboratories. There are several types of thermometers in the markets. However, the most commonly used is a bi-couple thermometer, commonly referred to as a probe thermometer. Other users prefer infrared thermometers for their industrial use. If you want your thermometer to record accurate temperature, consider calibrating it frequently. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer comprehensive thermometer calibration in Los Angeles and its environs. We have the capability of calibrating all types of thermometers in the market.

How to Calibrate a Probe Thermometer

Thermometers play an important role in any industrial process requiring products at certain temperatures. Thermometers require frequent and proper calibration to verify and ensure that the temperature reading is accurate at all times. Thermometer calibration ensures that your thermometer is working as expected and some adjustment is made if not. Thermometers should be calibrated at the start of shifts when changing from temperature ranges and after long storage when working in any setup. Thermometers should also be calibrated when dropped or knocked down. However, thermometer calibration frequency mostly depends on its intended use and the type of the thermometer. There are two types of probe thermometer calibration i.e.

  • Hot Calibration
  • Cold Calibration


Hot Calibration Method

When calibrating a thermometer using the hot water method, start by boiling tap water and pouring it into a beaker. Place your thermometer probe into the container at about 2 to 3 centimeters into the water. Ensure that the probe doesn’t touch either the bottom or the sides of the beaker. The temperature reading of your thermometer should range between 99 to 101 degrees centigrade or 210 to 214 Fahrenheit. However, you should note that the boiling point of water varies with altitude. Always check for the boiling point of water in your area before calibrating your thermometer. If the thermometer does not read the correct temperature reading, adjust the knob while still in the water to read the correct temperature. Contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for your hot thermometer calibration in Los Angeles if you are dealing in a high-temperature range such as foodstuff. We offer timely calibration services in Los Angeles other regions of California.

Cold Calibration Method

Put equal proportions of cold water and crushed ice into a beaker. Stir the mixture thoroughly and let it settle for about 3 minutes. Insert the thermometer probe into the beaker, making sure it does not touch the bottom or the sides of the beaker. The temperature readings should be between -1 to 1 degrees centigrade or 30 to 34 Fahrenheit. If the temperature reading in your thermometer is not correct, adjust it using the knob while still in the water. If you work in an industrial setup where you measure the temperature of frozen or cold items, contact us at Biotechnical Services Inc. for your cold thermometer calibration. We offer accurate thermometer calibration in Los Angeles and its environs.

How to Calibrate an Infrared Thermometer 

An infrared thermometer measures temperature by distinguishing infrared radiation from a source and converting the obtained data into temperature. An infrared thermometer is useful when measuring the temperature of objects in a lab or industry which are not safe to touch.

Equipment Needed for Infrared Thermometer Calibration

  • Atmosphere temperature thermometer
  • Transfer standard
  • Thermal Radiation Source
  • Distant Measuring Device
  • Mounting Device


Calibration Procedure

  • Preparation

The infrared thermometer ought to be allowed some time to adjust to the temperature inside the laboratory. It takes about 15 minutes to reach this state, especially when the thermometer is brought outside the lab. Cleaning the thermometer lens is not recommended unless with the manufacturer’s guidelines or the customer’s permission. Always set the radiation source to be within the desired temperature limits.

  • The Procedure

Set the temperatures setting of your infrared thermometer according to the heat source temperature. Change the thermometer’s emissivity settings to the same background temperature. Align your infrared thermometer by setting the measuring distance between the thermometer and the radiation source and center it on a calibration surface. Set the infrared thermometer at the center of the calibration surface to maximize the signal. Align your thermometer so that the line passing through the calibrator surface is not more than 5 degrees from the perpendicular.

  • Calibration Points

The infrared thermometer user should indicate the calibration points required. One calibration point is enough if the thermometer is used in low ranger temperature. However, when the infrared thermometer is used in a broad range of temperatures, three calibration points must be set as the least, moderate, and the highest.

  • Reporting Your Results

The report to be submitted to the client must be proper and submitted in a well-developed form. The results should be written in a manner that meets the laboratory’s demands. The best way of recording the results is by making a grid of infrared thermometer readings versus the various temperature sources. An indication of whether the inference is either approved or rejected must be noted.

The report must have the following:

  • Date of calibration
  • Measuring distance
  • Emissivity setting
  • Diameter of the source
  • Ambient temperature


Conclusion

The accuracy reading of temperature is an important factor in any process. A small deviation in the accuracy can cause critical problems in a system. A thermometer must be calibrated frequently to maintain its precision in measuring the temperature at all times. Whether it is a probe or infrared thermometer, Biotechnical Services Inc. is a premier contractor for all thermometer calibration in Los Angeles and other regions in California. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we use the latest technology in calibrating your equipment for absolute accuracy and precision. We are an accredited and certified company to offers calibration services to laboratory and industrial equipment. Contact us today at Biotechnical Services Inc. for the best thermometer calibration in Los Angeles.