Policy For Calibrating Thermocouples and How To Calibrate a Thermocouple

BradM

Staff member
Admin
#11
Re: Calibrating Thermocouples - Policy For and How To

hello GW! Welcome to the Cove!

I'll start off with some questions.

1. What is your accuracy requirements for the equipment?
2. Is this something this company has been doing in the past, or is it new?
3. Are the thermocouples as such they can be removed, while still being attached to the controller/indicator?
4. What kind of calibration standards do you currently have?

You can simulate a standard signal into the controller. Then, purchase/calibrate thermocouples separately. You can calibrate them as a loop in a dry block setup. Or, you can perform a direct comparison with a standard probe.

There are a number of different scenarios that can play out, depending on your requirement, your application, and your capability.
 
Elsmar Forum Sponsor

Jerry Eldred

Forum Moderator
Super Moderator
#12
Re: Calibrating Thermocouples - Policy For and How To

There are a number of methods for thermocouple calibrations. Timne doesn't permit me to go into too much detail. But here are a few brief notes:

CALIBRATING A CONTROLLER
METHOD A. Using a thermocouple calibrator which simulates the millivolts and with the correct corresponding cold junction compensation (for the particular thermocouple type; such as J, K, T, E, etc..), generate millivolts into the controller. This verifies the accuracy of the controller but not the control thermocouple attached to it.

METHOD B. Using a certified thermocouple with certified meter, place the certified thermocouple next to the thermocouple under test in the oven/chamber (or what ever is being controlled). Set the chamber to at least three temperatures, and allow adequate time for it to stabilize. Verify the controller/thermocouple under test measured chamber temperature matches the certified meter/thermocouple to within acceptable tolerances (not as accurate a method).

METHOD C. Calibrate the controller as in Method A above, then remove the thermocouple under test, and verify it's accuracy separately using a certified temp meter and a drywell calibrator.

These are just three simplified methods. There are numerous other methods. I have been calibrating thermocouples and temperature controllers for many years, and there are methods which may be considered based on the various specifics of your requirements and manufacturer/models of temp controller/thermocouples.
 
D

D_Wood

#13
Re: Calibrating Thermocouples - Policy For and How To

I am accustomed to only having the measuring instruments calibrated. However, strict guidelines from your accreditation agency or National Certification Body (NCB) can dictate the size & type of thermocouple wire to use, its preparation, as well as how it is to be attached to the test sample.

The NCB's I have dealt with over the years have accepted information provided by the IECEE / CTL (Committee of Testing Laboratories of the IECEE). http://www.iecee.org/ctl/Default.htm

There are some Operational Procedures (OP) that can be referenced in your own lab's procedures as to be followed.

For example: CTL-OP 108 and CTL-OP 109 (attached) are excellent procedures to be adopted when working with thermocouples, and your accreditation agency should have no problem accepting these methods.

This may be a little off the subject matter, but maybe it can be helpful to someone.

-D_Wood-
 

Attachments

P

Phil Fields

#15
I have used the same method as Jerry stated. Our Omega Thermomters are calibrated, then we verifiythe thermocouples using a Hart Dry Block.

Can a thermocouple be calibrated (adjusted), or can it only be verified (meets the specification)?

Phil
 
G

GWCollier

#16
Brad,

1) Accuracy: +/-2C is sufficient
2) This is new for this company.
3) Yes, we could remove the thermocouples and validate separately
we have purchased a calibration unit but not a calibrated thermocouple. The thermocouples are new (<1yr) but the controllers are older models so my immediate interest are these. We will eventually purchase a calibrated TC and use as I outlined above.
 
G

GWCollier

#17
Brad,

1) Accuracy: +/-2C is sufficient
2) This is new for this company.
3) Yes, we could remove the thermocouples and validate separately
we have purchased a calibration unit but not a calibrated thermocouple. The thermocouples are new (<1yr) but the controllers are older models so my immediate interest are these. We will eventually purchase a calibrated TC and use as I outlined above.
 
G

GWCollier

#18
Re: Calibrating Thermocouples - Policy For and How To

Jerry,

Thanks... this will be a great help to get started... let me absorb everything and I may get back to you
 
G

GWCollier

#19
Re: Calibrating Thermocouples - Policy For and How To

Thanks D.... I appreciate the help... I will read through these Documents.
 

Hershal

Metrologist-Auditor
Staff member
Super Moderator
#20

One who is continually learning is now on another quest for the knowledge of the assembled gurus of The Cove. This young fool (well, middle-aged at least) rashly overturned a long-dormant can of snakes, and I am now seeking a policy useful to return them to a state of control. (Thanks in advance.)


My dear friend.....once they are out, they don't go back in the same size can!!!!!

Seriously, we had a similar issue at my previous position with respect to glue.....our solution was fairly simple, as we had an - essentially - controlled environment.....we had a chart that outlined the time to cure (X-axis) to Temperature (Y-axis) which was sufficient for our use.....that being aluminum tables mounted on shock absorbers.....

Hopefully, this gives you at least a starting point........

Hershal
 
Thread starter Similar threads Forum Replies Date
Brizilla Employee Data Privacy Policy - ISO 9001:2015 requirement(s)? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 6
M Data Protection and Privacy Policy - looking for a template/example EU Medical Device Regulations 1
M Off-Label Use - Clarification of FDA Policy US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 1
I Quality Policy and Objectives examples Elsmar Cove Forum Suggestions, Complaints, Problems and Bug Reports 5
T Advice needed - Environmental MS - unwritten but customer requests policy document ISO 14001:2015 Specific Discussions 5
A Objectives in Quality Policy ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 15
K ISO 13485 section 5.3 Quality Policy - No framework for establishing and reviewing quality objectives ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 2
S Procedure on Privacy Policy in the ISO 13485 quality management system ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 3
A Glass and brittle plastic Policy - Required per FSSC 220002-4? Food Safety - ISO 22000, HACCP (21 CFR 120) 0
A ISO/TS 22163 Item 5.2.4 Safety policy - Example wanted Other ISO and International Standards and European Regulations 2
I Environmental Policy Content - ISO 14001 Clause 5.2 ISO 14001:2015 Specific Discussions 2
F ISO 13485:2016 Quality Policy Requirements Other ISO and International Standards and European Regulations 18
M Informational EU – Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council Public session (Health) – AOB – medical devices Implementation of the regulation o Medical Device and FDA Regulations and Standards News 0
M Informational USFDA – Refuse to Accept Policy for 510(k)s Medical Device and FDA Regulations and Standards News 1
R Customer supplied material - risk and policy advice needed Quality Manager and Management Related Issues 11
Marc Privacy Policy - EU GDPR Compliance - 1 December 2018 Elsmar Cove Forum ToS and Forum Policies 0
R ISO 20000 requirement about the Change Management Policy IT (Information Technology) Service Management 3
M Medical Device News FDA Guidance - UDI: Policy Regarding Compliance Dates for Class I and Unclassified Devices and Certain Devices Requiring Direct Marking Other US Medical Device Regulations 0
H Water Ingress Policy for a Manufacturing company Manufacturing and Related Processes 3
M Example ISO 14971 policy and risk criteria ISO 14971 - Medical Device Risk Management 0
M Quality Policy - Standards and reference numbers ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 14
qualprod Including services in quality policy? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
R Establishing the quality policy for ISO 9001:2015 ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 10
qualprod NC if word "development" stated in Policy? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 11
B Quality Policy does not include a commitment to comply with legal requirements Quality Management System (QMS) Manuals 5
K Where in the quality manual do I put our Quality Objectives and our Quality Policy Quality Management System (QMS) Manuals 19
J President does not know what the Quality Policy means ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 10
Q ISO 9001:2015 - Extent of Policy and Scope with Context and Interested Parties ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 3
D Document Retention Policy IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 5
S Is a Quality Policy Statement a Requirement? (ISO 13485) ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 7
B How to prove that an organization implements anti bribery policy IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 8
M New Quality Policy for ISO 9001:2015 - Please Review ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 5
T Policy or Good Guidance for a Traceability Decision Tree (Serial and Batch Numbers) Misc. Quality Assurance and Business Systems Related Topics 4
Q Including the Word "Risk" into the Quality Policy (ISO 9001:2015)? ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
G Does ISO 9001:2015 call for a Policy or a Statement ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 11
D Is anyone changing their ISO 14001:2004 EMS Policy? ISO 14001:2015 Specific Discussions 8
M Component Manufacturer of Food Stuffs Mfg. Equipment Parts - Eat Drink Policy ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 1
Marc Homework and Examination Preparation Help Policy Elsmar Cove Forum ToS and Forum Policies 1
M Definition of Other Policies in the Quality Policy Document IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 6
sutie What is Ethics Escalation (“Whistle-Blowing”) Policy - Corporate Responsibility IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 7
K Must I update the Quality Policy? (ISO 9001:2008) ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 15
A Quality Policy approach of ISO 9001:2015 Clause 5.2.1a ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 4
E Adding a "Scope Statement " to my Quality Policy ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 7
A Can someone provide an example of a Product Safety Policy? AS9100, IAQG, NADCAP and Aerospace related Standards and Requirements 1
S Should we get Quality Policy re-signed if the signatories leave? ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 6
S New Catchy Quality Policy Ideas Wanted IATF 16949 - Automotive Quality Systems Standard 4
dubrizo Quality Policy - Your comments - Tear it apart ISO 9000, ISO 9001, and ISO 9004 Quality Management Systems Standards 7
A Creating a policy to evaluate the Third Party Security IEC 27001 - Information Security Management Systems (ISMS) 4
U Must every procedure be proceeded by a policy? Document Control Systems, Procedures, Forms and Templates 2
I Not having "effectiveness" in the Quality Policy ISO 13485:2016 - Medical Device Quality Management Systems 8

Similar threads

Top Bottom