In industrial laboratories, ovens are useful for reliability testing, sterilization, and quicker drying of lab appliances. For instance, soldered chip joints are tested for their strength in semiconductor industries using ovens. A precise temperature must be kept accurate and constant during the experiments when using ovens. The accuracy of an oven can be determined through testing and calibration. Biotechnical Services Inc. offers precise oven calibration in San Francisco using advanced thermocouples and thermometers. Contact us when in need of equipment testing and calibration.

Reasons for Calibrating an Oven

Ovens are tested and calibrated to maintain the accuracy and precision of oven enclosure temperatures. Since most parts of an electric oven are mechanically operated, especially the thermostat, it experiences stress, leading to deviation and making your oven operate out of precise temperature range. An oven thermostat is mechanically operated by dialing its knob, which triggers on and off settings when the desired temperature range is attained. When the thermostat sensor loses its accuracy, the oven will be operating at a different temperature than expected, affecting the quality of the product.

When an oven loses its accuracy, it becomes less efficient and should be calibrated immediately. Oven calibration is also done after an oven has been repaired to test its accuracy. When dealing with industrial products, calibration is important when checking the positions with minimum and maximum temperatures for proper positioning of items and necessary adjustments. Contact Biotechnical Services Inc. for oven calibration in San Francisco when you need any tests of lab equipment. We accurately test and calibrate your industrial or laboratory oven using the latest technology and calibration equipment.

Electric Oven Calibration

An electric oven is calibrated to check its temperature accuracy at a given set value. More reasons that call for oven calibration include:

  • Determining temperature stability at a given value
  • Determining uniformity and inhomogeneity of temperature readings
  • Determining the most appropriate locations inside the oven chambers
  • Determining the accuracy of an oven at a given test point

Oven calibration is normally straightforward. However, it can be time-consuming when calibrating multiple test points. Temperature stabilization in ovens makes the calibration procedure take more time.

Calibration Method

Calibrating an electric oven entails comparing the temperature generated by the set value in the dial knob and comparing it with a digital thermometer fitted with a thermocouple or wireless sensors. The thermocouple used in the calibration is fitted with a data logger with thermos shield capability to perform calibration at high oven temperatures.

Requirements

A warm-up time of about one hour for the oven under calibration for stabilization of chamber temperatures

  • Room temperature during calibration should be about 25 degrees centigrade
  • The room humidity range should be about 50 specific humidity units
  • For each point in the chamber or temperature range, perform the trials about three times

Reference Standards

  • Calibrated digital thermometer
  • Thermocouple that can withstand a temperature of about 300 degrees centigrade
  • A thermos hygrometer to determine both the room temperature and humidity
  • Lab cleaning materials

Oven Calibration Setup

Insert thermocouple wires into the oven chamber. When performing standard calibration, place the cable at three points: the mid-right, mid-left, and center.

Use a temperature recorder with the capability of recording more than five channels. A temperature recorder can take the temperature readings at intervals automatically.

Calibration Procedure

  1. When conducting the test, take precautions because ovens operate at high temperatures and can cause damage and burns.
  2. Check the thermostat functionality, heating elements, and fan to determine the possibility of any defects that can affect calibration accuracy.
  3. Using a datasheet, record all the necessary information, such as the brand of your oven, model, and serial number.
  4. Choose about three points to determine the dividing range and electric oven range.
  5. Turn your oven on and set the temperature points starting from the lowest to the highest.
  6. Wait for the temperature reading to stabilize. It may take between twenty minutes to one hour, depending on the model of your oven.
  7. Record your temperature readings in your datasheet. Perform at least one trial for the three sensors. Continue until all the temperature ranges are finished.

Check the temperature accuracy if they fall within the manufacturer’s limits. Update your datasheet if the temperature reading accuracy is within the specified limits. However, if there is a large margin of deviation, take your oven for repair. Since these processes are very complex and risky, Biotechnical Services Inc. will professionally handle your oven and precisely adjust the temperature reading of your oven. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we use the latest thermocouple sensors and RTD wires to provide you with the most precise oven calibration in San Francisco.

Conclusion

Keeping the temperature reading of your oven accurate helps you deliver high-quality products. An accurate temperature is required for various processes when dealing with the food industry and pharmaceutical industry products. Therefore, you need to check your oven regularly to determine if it is still accurate or needs calibration. At Biotechnical Services Inc., we offer premier and professional oven calibration in San Francisco and its neighborhood. Contact us today for onsite calibration of your oven and other lab equipment.