Pegasus 1200S Evaluation Report
An Evaluation Report of the Pegasus 1200S (Serial
Number 1200S/1) Metal Block Bath manufactured by Isothermal Technology Ltd
INTRODUCTION
At Isotech it is our earnest
desire to present for our customers consideration as much useful
information as possible and to this end we have spent a substantial amount
of time evaluating our products.
The results of the evaluation
of a metal block bath can be presented in many formats some of which will
give an optimistic or indeed a pessimistic view of how the product
operates.
For the first time to our
knowledge in 1996 a discussion document was written by Germany's
Laboratory Accreditation body DKD with the view of standardising the test
and certification of metal block baths.
We have used this document as
the basis of the evaluation that follows.
The evaluation based on the
DKD document presents almost the worse case error that may occur within
the bath.
With some care and proper
procedures it is possible to improve considerably upon these uncertainties.
We have therefore presented a second evaluation based on the best practice
as an Appendix to the evaluation.
SUMMARY
The Pegasus 1200S Metal Block
Bath Serial Number 1200S/1 was fully evaluated in two ways.
Firstly it was evaluated
using the guidelines of DKD-R5-4 (Draft) document for the calibration of
temperature "block calibrators".
In document DKD-R5-4 (Draft)
Annex 2 a table appears in which an uncertainty is introduced entitled,
"Heat Conduction from the Thermometer to be Measured". The
uncertainty of this component is quoted as 0.25% of (Tmeas-Tenv). Where
Tmeas is the block's temperature and Tenv is the ambient room temperature.
At higher temperatures this
component becomes the largest source of error and has no relevance to the
metal block bath itself, nor is it within the control of the manufacturer
of the block bath.
For this reason we have
calculated the bath uncertainties with and without this influence.
The largest total
uncertainties using DKD-R5-4 (Draft) were found to be 2.3°
C at 1100° C without the
measured thermometer error and 3.9°
C with the measured thermometer immersion error,
Secondly it has been
evaluated using "good practice and procedures".
The second evaluation uses
type R thermocouples with NAMAS calibrations. Using procedures which are
normal in a good quality laboratory, the errors fall below 1°
C over the whole temperature range.
It therefore seems that 3
uncertainties can be ascribed to a metal block bath.
A. That, using "good
practice and procedures" with the Pegasus 1200S gives typically 1°
C uncertainties.
B. That, worst case, ignoring
the uncertainties of the thermometer to be measured, gives uncertainties
of 1.9° C at 150°
C, 2.1° C at 660°
C and 2.3° C at 1100°
C.
C. That, worst case,
including an arbitrary test thermometer with heat loss uncertainties of
0.25% (Tmeas-Tenv) gives uncertainties of 2.0°
C at 150° C, 2.8°
C at 660° C and 3.9°
C at 1100° C.
Having carefully considered
the work performed in this evaluation of the Pegasus 1200S metal block
bath we can summarise the uncertainties as follows:
"A" shows the
capabilities of the Pegasus 1200S when used to Isotech's recommendations.
"B" provides a
useful evaluation of the profile and stability of the metal block bath. It
shows its limitations but not its capabilities.
"C" Shows how the
errors of the measured thermometer mask the true performance of the bath
at the higher temperatures. The thermometer to be measured is a separate
item, whose stem conduction should be evaluated in the traditional way of
withdrawing the thermometer in 1cm steps.
METHOD OF USE
ERROR VARIATIONS WITH
OPERATING PRACTICE
| |
OPERATING
TEMPERATURE |
| |
150°
C |
660°
C |
1100°
C |
| A.
Good practice and procedures as stated by Isotech |
1°
C |
1°
C |
1°
C |
| B.
Worst case ignoring stem conduction from the thermometer to be
calibrated. |
1.9°
C |
2.1°
C |
2.3°
C |
| C.
Worst case including stem conduction from thermometer to be
calibrated. |
2.0°
C |
2.8°
C |
3.9°
C |
AN EVALUATION REPORT OF
THE PEGASUS 1200S (SERIAL NUMBER 1200S/1) METAL
BLOCK BATH MANUFACTURED
BY ISOTHERMAL TECHNOLOGY LTD
Whenever possible this report
follows the recommendations of the Guideline of the Deutscher
Kalibriererdienst (DKD, German Calibration Service) for the calibration of
temperature block calibrators. DKD-R5-4-(DRAFT) In particular section 2.2
Measurements to Ascertain Calibration Capability.
Summary of Performance.
| TEMPERATURE
° C
|
STABILITY
±° C
|
RADIAL
HOMOGENEITY
|
AXIAL
HOMOGENEITY
|
LOADING
EFFECT
|
| 150
660
1100
|
0.1
0.2
0.2
|
0
0.1
0.2
|
0.3
1.5
2.3
|
0
0
0
|
HEAT UP TIME
100 to 1200°
C, 20 minutes.
COOL DOWN TIME AT 23°
C AMBIENT
1200°
C to 800° C 50 minutes.
1200°
C to 200° C 180 minutes.
(Faster times can be achieved
with the fast cool down accessory)
From DKD-R5-4-(DRAFT)
2.2.1 Axial Temperature
Homogeneity: The axial
temperature distribution is to be measured at three different temperatures
representative of the field of application and covering the extreme
temperatures that may occur. One of several suitable thermometers (e.g. a
differential thermocouple) are to be used, and the sensor length must not
exceed 5mm. At least six different measurements per bore are to be carried
out in the calibration zone and adjoining parts of the bore, the
recommended distance between measurement points being about 1cm. If there
are several symmetrically arranged bores of equal diameter, the
measurement must be carried out in only one representative bore.
TEST METHOD
For 150°
C two standard type R thermocouple probes were placed in an 8mm hole. One
probe was raised in 1cm steps and the temperature difference between it
and the static probe at the bottom of a pocket was recorded. Alumina
powder was placed in the pocket.
The Pegasus is designed and
suitable for the calibration of thermocouples using a relatively short
insert. It has an homogenous zone of 30mm and it is this zone that has
been surveyed.

We specify the homogenous
zone to be the lower 30mm of the pocket
AXIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY: 150°
C
| DISTANCE
FROM BOTTOM
OF INSERT POCKET,
CM
|
DIFFERENCE,
m
V |
| 0
1
2
3
|
0
2
3
3
|
At 150°
C the Maximum Variation over 30mm Zone was 0.3°
C
(This includes the
measurement error)
AXIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY: 660°
C
| DISTANCE
FROM BOTTOM OF
INSERT POCKET, CM
|
TEMPERATURE
DIFFERENCE, m
V |
| 0
1
2
3
|
-2
8
6
-10
|
At 660°
C the Maximum Variation over 30mm Zone was 1.5°
C
(This includes the
measurement error)
AXIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY: 1100°
C
| DISTANCE
FROM BOTTOM OF
INSERT POCKET, CM
POCKET E
|
TEMPERATURE
DIFFERENCE, m
V |
| 0
1
2
3
|
-1
16
14
-14
|
At 1100°
C the Maximum Variation over 30mm Zone was 2.3°
C
(This includes the
measurement error)
From DKD-R5-4-(DRAFT)
2.2.2 Radial Temperature
Homogeneity: The
temperature differences between the zones in the individual bores provided
for the measurements are measured with one or several suitable
thermometers at three different temperatures respresentative of the field
of application and covering the extreme temperatures which may occur. The
conditions stated under points 2.1.9 and 2.1.10 must be complied with. If
there is only one bore, no measurement is to be carried out.
TEST METHOD
Two standard type R
thermocouples (R2107, R2108) were placed in two 8mm holes (A + D].
Measurements were recorded.
RADIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY, 150°
C
| PROBE |
TEMPERATURE |
Delta
t |
| R2107
R2108
|
Pocket
A 152.06° C
Pocket D 152.06°
C
|
0°
C |
Radial Temperature
Homogeneity 150°C
= 0°C
RADIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY, 660°
C
| PROBE |
TEMPERATURE |
Delta
t |
| R2107
R2108
|
Pocket
A 652.75° C
Pocket D 652.83°
C
|
0.1°
C |
Radial Temperature
Homogeneity 660°
C = 0.1° C
RADIAL TEMPERATURE
HOMOGENEITY, 1100°
C
| PROBE |
TEMPERATIRE |
Delta
t |
| R2107
R2108
|
Pocket
A 1093.78° C
Pocket D 1093.56°
C
|
0.2°
C |
Radial Temperature
Homogeneity 1100°
C = 0.2° C
From DKD-R5-4-(DRAFT)
2.2.3 Influence upon
radial temperature homogeneity due to different loading:
A suitable thermometer is placed into the bore located next to the largest
bore, with due regard to points 2.1.9 and 2.1.10. The change in
temperature is measured which results when a solid metal rod is introduced
into the largest bore, in compliance with point 2.1.9, which protrudes
from the bore by at least 200mm. The measurement is to be carried out at
three different temperatures representative of the field of application
and covering the extreme temperatures that may occur. If there is only one
bore, no measurement is to be carried out.
TEST METHOD
Isothermal Technology
recommends an external probe is used to determine the insert temperature.
For this test the recommended probe model 935-14-14 is connected to the
built in indicator of the site model. Two standard type R thermocouples
were used to measure the actual temprature. A solid metal rod 300mm long
and 8mm diameter is placed in the remaining pocket.
Insert Temperature, 150°
C
| |
NO
ROD |
ROD
ADDED |
CHANGE
DUE
TO LOADING
|
| Actual
Temperature
935-14-14+Site
Indicator (In Built)
|
152.30°
C
151°
C
|
151.45°
C
150°
C
|
0.9°
C
As Actual Insert T
-1° C
|
The Pegasus's separate
thermocouple and in built indicator detected the temperature change due to
loading hence
No additional error due to
loading at 150°
C
Insert Temperature, 660°
C
| |
NO
ROD |
ROD
ADDED |
CHANGE
DUE
TO LOADING
|
| Actual
Temperature
935-14-14+Site
Indicator (In Built)
|
654.21°
C
656°
C
|
659.37°
C
661°
C
|
5.2°
C
As Actual Insert T
+5°
C
|
The Pegasus's separate
thermocouple and in built indicator detected the temperature change due to
loading hence
No additional error due to
loading at 660°
C
Insert Temperature, 1100°
C
| |
NO
ROD |
ROD
ADDED |
CHANGE
DUE
TO LOADING
|
| Actual
Temperature
935-14-14+Site
Indicator (In Built)
|
1095.4°
C
1096°
C
|
1097.82°
C
1098°
C
|
2.4°
C
As Actual Insert T
+2°
C
|
The Pegasus's separate
thermocouple and in built indicator detected the temperature change due to
loading hence
No additional error due to
loading at 1100°
C
STABILITY WITH TIME
From DKD-R5-4-(DRAFT)
2.1.4 Stability with time:
The variation of
temperature with time in the zones in the individual bores provided for
measurements must be sufficiently small. The temperature variations are
considered to be sufficiently small when the greatest temperature
difference occurring within 30 minutes is smaller than or, equal to, half
the uncertainty of the measurement stated.
Stability at 150° C
C, 30 minute period, ±0.1°C
Stability at 660°CC,
30 minute period, ±0.2°C
Stability at 1100° C, 30
minute period, ±0.2°C
TEST METHOD
A type R thermocouple was
placed in hole A and the variation in temperature was recorded for a 30
minute period at three different temperatures. The ambient temperature was
within 23° C ± 3°
C.
HEAT UP TIME
100°
C to 1200° C 20 min
Cool Down
1200 to 800°
C 50 min) Times can be substantially
1200 to 200°
C 3 hours) reduced using cooling adaptor
PROBE AGEING
HYSTERESIS (REPEATABILITY)
The Pegasus was set to 220°
C and the actual temperature along with the value for the in-built
temperature indicator was
recorded, then the temperature was raised to 1100°
C for two hours. The temperature was then reset to 220°
C and repeat measurements made.
| |
FROM
COLD |
AFTER
1200°
C |
| Actual |
219.4 |
220.4 |
| External |
219 |
219/220 |
Change in actual temperature
and hence the hysteresis 1°
C, change in external indicated value switching between LSD, NOTE:
Resolution of indicator is 1°
C
CALCULATION OF THE
UNCERTAINTY, DKD METHOD
CALIBRATION TEMPERATURE,
150° C
Ambient Temperature 23°
C. Using Type R T/C with DVM and in built "external" indicator
of Pegasus 1200S with reference probe 935-14-14.
| SOURCE
OF UCT |
DETERMINATION
OF UCT
|
PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
|
UNCERTAINTY
°C
|
DIVISOR |
ui(t),
°C
|
| Standard
Thermometer including measurement with standard thermometer |
NAMAS
Schedule |
Normal |
1 |
2 |
0.5 |
| Axial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.3 |
/ 12 |
0.0866 |
| Radial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0 |
/ 3 |
0 |
| Loading
of block |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0 |
/ 3 |
0 |
| Stability
with time |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.1 |
/ 12 |
0.0289 |
| Ageing
of reference thermometer |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/ 3 |
0.5774 |
| Repeatability
(Hysteresis) |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/ 3 |
0.5774 |
| Heat
Conduction from thermometer |
0.25%
of (Tmeas-Tenv) |
Rectangular |
0.318 |
/ 3 |
0.184 |
| |
| Combined
Uct |
|
k=1 |
0.98 |
|
|
| Expanded
Uct |
|
k=2 |
1.96 |
|
|
*Hysteresis figure is
resolution of in built indicator.
CALIBRATION TEMPERATURE
660° C
Ambient Temperature 23°
C. Using Type R T/C with DVM and in built "external" indicator
of Pegasus 1200S with reference probe 935-14-14.
| SOURCE
OF UCT |
DETERMINATION
OF UCT
|
PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
|
UNCERTAINTY
° C
|
DIVISOR |
ui(t),
° C
|
| Standard
Thermometer including measurement with standard thermometer |
NAMAS
Schedule |
Normal |
1 |
2 |
0.5 |
| Axial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1.5 |
/
12 |
0.4330 |
| Radial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.1 |
/
3 |
0.0577 |
| Loading
of block |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0 |
/
3 |
0 |
| Stability
with time |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.2 |
/
12 |
0.0577 |
| Ageing
of reference thermometer |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/
3 |
0.5774 |
| Repeatability
(Hysteresis) |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/
3 |
0.5774 |
| Heat
Conduction from thermometer |
0.25%
of (Tmeas-Tenv) |
Rectangular |
1.593 |
/
3 |
0.9197 |
| |
| Combined
Uct |
|
k=1 |
1.4 |
|
|
| Expanded
Uct |
|
k=2 |
2.8 |
|
|
*Hysteresis figure is
resolution of in built indicator.
CALIBRATION TEMPERATURE,
1100° C
Ambient Temperature 23°
C. Using Type R T/C with DVM and in built "external" indicator
of Pegasus 1200S with reference probe 935-14-14.
| SOURCE
OF UCT |
DETERMINATION
OF UCT
|
PROBABILITY
DISTRIBUTION
|
UNCERTAINTY
° C
|
DIVISOR |
ui(t),
° C
|
|
Standard
Thermometer including measurement with standard thermometer
|
NAMAS
Schedule |
Normal |
1 |
2 |
0.5 |
| Axial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
2.3 |
/
12 |
0.6640 |
| Radial
Temperature distribution |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.2 |
/
3 |
0.1155 |
| Loading
of block |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0 |
/
3 |
0 |
| Stability
with time |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
0.2 |
/
12 |
0.0577 |
| Ageing
of reference thermometer |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/
3 |
0.5774 |
| Repeatability
(Hysteresis) |
This
evaluation report |
Rectangular |
1 |
/
3 |
0.5774 |
| Heat
Conduction from thermometer |
0.25%
of (Tmeas-Tenv) |
Rectangular |
2.693 |
/
3 |
1.5648 |
| |
| Combined
Uct |
|
k=1 |
1.95 |
|
|
| Expanded
Uct |
|
k=2 |
3.9 |
|
|
*Hysteresis figure is
resolution of in build indicator
SUMMARY TABLE
Including the UCT ignoring
heat conduction allowance for thermometer under test at k = 2
| TEMPERATURE |
UCT
OF BLOCK BATH |
UCT
including a theoretical sensor withstem conduction 0.25% Tmeas-Tenv |
| 150°
C
660°
C
1100°
C
|
1.9
2.1
2.3
|
2.0
2.8
3.9
|
PEGASUS 1200S - AUDIT
CALIBRATION
Appendix 1 of Pegasus
1200S Evaluation Report
The evaluation report
represents almost the worst uncertainties of use.
It is normal to recommend
that the standard and test thermometer are immersed to a similar depth,
which all but eliminates the axial homogeneity assuming the probes are
similar. An additional recommendation is to exchange the standard and test
thermometer to obtain 2 comparison results which all but eliminates radial
inhomogeneity.
Thirdly, comparing the
standard to the test thermometer calibration is made quickly or
simultaneously then the absolute stability of the metal block bath is of
little importance.
Here an audit probe was
calibrated in the NAMAS calibrated Pegasus 1200S, the audit probe was
calibrated by comparison to the supplied external probe and in built
indicator arrangement of the Pegasus 1200S. The audit probe has previously
been calibrated in the NAMAS Laboratory. The results from the calibration
in the Pegasus 1200S can then be compared to the NAMAS calibration.
The audit probe and the
standard probes are all type R thermocouples calibrated by comparison with
an uncertainty of 0.3° C
not including the electrical measurement system.
As well as comparing the
standard probe to the supplied reference probe of the Pegasus 1200S the
audit probe was compared directly to the standards and shows the very best
results that might be expected using the Pegasus as a comparison bath.
| SET
POINT |
ACTUAL
TEMPERATURE MEAN OF TW0 STANDARD R T/C'S |
TEMPERATURE
MEASURED WITH THE PEGASUS 1200S |
AUDIT
PROBE
2312-90-080
|
| 220
440
660
880
1600
|
221.4
437.1
655.2
876.4
1100.7
|
221
437
655
876
1100/1101
|
221.2
437.3
655.7
876.8
1101.0
|
CONSIDERING THE
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROBES
| |
DIFFERENCE
FROM
ACTUAL
TEMPERATURE
|
DIFFERENCE
FROM IN-BUILT STANDARD
|
UCT
FROM DKD
R5-4-DRAFT
|
| TEMPERATURE |
AUDIT
PROBE |
AUDIT
PROBE |
|
| 220°
C
440°
C
660°
C
880°
C
1100°
C
|
0.2
0.2
0.5
0.4
0.3
|
<1°
C (Indicator
resolution)
<1°
C (Indicator
resolution)
<1°
C (Indicator
resolution)
<1°
C (Indicator
resolution)
<1°
C (Indicator
resolution)
|
2.0 at
220
2.8 at 660
3.9 at 1100
|
The audit calibration shows
the largest error between the actual temperature and the audit probe was
0.5° C. The difference
between the actual temperature and the Pegasus in built standard was less
than the 1° C resolution
of the indicator
|