Comparison of surface temperature calibrations

Project Description

The aim of this comparison is to improve the accuracy in the calibration of surface temperature sensors by contact method and to work out a common used method for uncertainty budget. Investigations led for laboratories to a better approach of surface temperature measurements using contact sensors and improvements in the calibration methods and procedures.

Three types of surface sensors with instruments will be circulated and calibrated simultaneously in the temperature range from -20 °C to 50 °C, 50 °C to 300 °C and 300 °C to 500 °C, respectively. The calibration should be done on targets with previously polished surfaces, covering a thermal conductivity range from 20 W/m · K to 390 W/m · K: aluminium, stainless steel, steel, brass and copper.

The reference surface will be directed horizontally, the sensor will be applied vertically. The thickness of the reference surface should be at least 10 mm.

The technical co-operation activities will consist of exchange of experience concerning the development of the basic apparatus, requirements and procedures for traceability, influence of thermophysical properties of surfaces, impact on thermal conditions effect.

Progress Report 2022-02-08

There is a delay in circulation because the measurements are more time-consuming than expected.  All the laboratories finished the measurements, except Norway.

Progress Report 2020-06-08

There is a delay in circulation because the measurements are more time consuming than expected.
All the laboratories finished the measurements, except Norway.

Progress Report 2019-03-26

The aim of this comparison is to improve the accuracy in the calibration of surface temperature sensors by contact method and to work out a common used method for uncertainty budget. Three types of surface sensors with instruments are circulated and calibrated simultaneously in the temperature range from -20 °C to 50 °C, 50 °C to 300 °C and 300 °C to 500 °C, respectively. The calibration should be done on targets with previously polished surfaces, covering a thermal conductivity range from 20 W/m˙K to 390 W/m˙K: aluminium, stainless steel, steel, brass and copper.
There is a delay in circulation because the measurements are more time consuming than expected. A second circulation will be opened in April, including ATA-Carnet for Norway and Turkey.

Progress Report 2018-03-23

There is a delay in circulation because the measurements are more time consuming than expected. Two more labs performed the measurements: MIRS (SI) and DTI (DK). A second circulation will be opened in May, including ATA-Carnet for Norway and Turkey.

Progress Report 2017-04-11

There is a delay in circulation because the measurements are more time consuming than expected. At the moment the thermometers are in Slovenia. A second circulation will be opened including ATA-Carnet for Norway and Turkey.

Progress Report 2016-02-08

The circulation of the transfer standards started in June 2014. At the moment the thermometers are in Estonia. The expected completion date was December 2015.
The delay in circulation is because the measurements are more time consuming then expected (150 types of different measurements for each institute) and because of some changes in personnel in the Danish institute.

Progress Report 2015-02-20

The circulation of the transfer standards started in June 2014.
There is a delay of two months in circulation.