Sigma Sensors (TCL) GmbH

Calibration Procedure
CP 001

Calibration Procedure
(PROCEDURE FOR PT 100 THERMOMETER CALIBRATION)
Revision: 00 Edition: 00
ID: CP 001 Issue Date: 01.01.2021
Reviewed By Iftakharul
Approved By H.Ibele

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Calibration Procedure
CP 001

Claus Contents Page

Number
1 Scope 03
2 Introduction 03
3 Wire connections 04
4 Self-heating 04
5 General 05
5.1 Purpose 05
5.2 Standards 05
5.3 Environmental Conditions 05
6.1 Calibration Process 06
6.1.1 Visual Check 06
6.1.2 Initial zero-point check 06
6.2 Calibration Procedure 06
6.2.1 Immersion of thermometers in the temperature bath 07
6.2.2 Measuring Points 07
6.2.3 Final zero-point check 08
6.3 Evaluation 08
7 Estimation of the uncertainty of measurement 08
7.1 Reference temperature 08
7.2 Temperature of the thermometer under calibration 11
7.3 Combined standard uncertainty 12
7.4 Expanded Uncertainty 12
7.5 Deviation of indications 13
7.6 Calibration Measurement Capability (CMC) 13
8 Calibration Protocol 14
9 References 15

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Calibration Procedure
CP 001

1. SCOPE
This calibration procedure applied on the Calibration of Pt-100s, It describes the
standard equipment, the calibration process and the evaluation of uncertainty of
measurement carried on permanent laboratory facilities or on-site, over a range
from -40 °C up to 300 °C.

The objective of the calibration procedure applies to self-indicating or with read

out Pt-100s in which the Pt-100’s consists of a probe and an indicator or a
recorder (a sensor and indicator).

2. INTRODUCTION
2.1 As the Pt100 is an RTD sensor, let’s look first at what an RTD sensor is. The
abbreviation RTD comes from “Resistance Temperature Detector.” It is a
temperature sensor in which the resistance depends on temperature; when
temperature changes, the sensor’s resistance changes. So, by measuring the
sensor’s resistance, an RTD sensor can be used to measure temperature. RTD
sensors are most commonly made from platinum, copper, nickel alloys or various
metal oxides.

2.2 Platinum is the most common material for RTD sensors. Platinum has a reliable,
repeatable, and linear temperature-resistance relationship. RTD sensors made of
platinum are called PRT, “Platinum Resistance Thermometer.” The most
common platinum PRT sensor used in the process industry is the Pt100 sensor.
The number “100” in the name indicates that is has a resistance of 100 ohms in
0°C (32°F) temperature.
2.3 Features of PRT:
• Are more accurate, linear, and stable than thermocouples.
• Does not require cold junction compensation, like thermocouples do.
• Extension wires can be copper wires.
• More expensive than thermocouples.
• Need a known excitation current suitable for the sensor type.
• More fragile.

2.4 Since the RTD sensor’s resistance changes when temperature changes,
it is pretty clear that when measuring the RTD sensor we need to
measure resistance. We can measure the resistance in Ohms then
convert that manually into a temperature measurement according to the
conversion table (or formula) of the RTD type being used.
Nowadays, most commonly, we use a temperature measurement device or
calibrator that automatically converts the measured resistance into a temperature
reading, when the correct RTD type is selected in the device (assuming it

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Calibration Procedure
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supports the RTD type used). Of course, if the wrong RTD sensor type is
selected in the device, it will result in incorrect temperature measurement results.

3. WIRE CONNECTIONS
There are different ways to measure resistance. We can use a 2, 3 or 4
wire connection. The 2-wire connection is only suitable for very low
accuracy measurement (mainly troubleshooting) because any wire
resistance or connection resistance will introduce error to the
measurement. Any normal process measurement should be done using 3
or 4 wire measurement.
For example, the IEC 60751 standard specifies that any sensor better
than accuracy class B must be measured with a 3 or 4 wire measurement.

4. SELF-HEATING
When the measurement current goes through the RTD sensor, it also
causes the RTD sensor to slightly warm up. This phenomenon is
called self-heating. The higher the measurement current is and the longer
time it is on, the more the sensor will warm up. Also, the sensor’s structure
and its thermal resistance to its surroundings will have a big effect on the
self-heating. It is pretty obvious that this kind of self-heating in a
temperature sensor will cause a small measurement error.
The measurement current is typically a max of 1 mA when measuring a
Pt100 sensor, but it can be as low as 100 µA or even lower. According to
standards (such as IEC 60751), self-heating must not exceed 25% of the
sensor’s tolerance specification.

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Calibration Procedure
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5. GENERAL
5.1 Purpose
The calibration procedure is intended to serve the needs of users of
Thermometers who require confirmation of the accuracy. The criteria to be
satisfied are:

• Traceability to a national standard.

• Statement of uncertainty with confidence level at about 95% according to EA-

04/02 (k = 2).

5.2 Standard’s
A calibrated RPRT (Reference PRT) is used for the calibration of the Pt-100’s
along with a temperature block or bath calibrator. The RPRT and the
temperature block or bath calibrator to form part of a Traceability chain are
calibrated by an accredited laboratory. The RPRT is often referred to as a
standard thermometer or Reference thermometer and the temperature block
or bath calibrator is often referred to as a temperature calibrator. Obviously,
the main requirement of the procedure is that temperature is known, with an
appropriate uncertainty and does not change significantly during the period
between its calibration and its use.

The traceability of standards is ensured by their calibration in an accredited

laboratory (or by a NMI recognized in MRA).

5.3 Environmental conditions

Calibration can be carried out in laboratory or on site. The calibration should
be performed in ambient conditions under normal atmospheric pressure,
temperature 22C ± 5C and a relative humidity 30% ± 20%.

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6. CALIBRATION PROCESS
6.1 Preparation for the calibration of Pt-100’s

Calibration of the thermometer is performed before any adjustments take

place. If any adjustments are required, the authorization of the customer is
required before proceeding.
The calibrator is operated in the vertical position.
All measurements are to be carried out with the top of the block or bath
exposed or insulated, as recommended by the manufacturer, and described in
the calibration certificate of the temperature block or bath calibrator.
All measurements are to be carried out in such a way that the standard and
test thermometers sensors are placed in the homogeneous zone of the
temperature calibrator.

6.1.1 Visual check

Visually examine the thermometers of obvious defects that would affect the
accuracy. Furthermore, if the thermometer consists of Pt-100’s or other probes
as sensors look for obvious signs of mechanical defects, contamination of Pt-
100 which shall be recorded, and the client informed if the laboratory feels that
the validity or uncertainty of measurement in the calibration could be impaired.
At customer request and when applicable adjustment to the Pt-100’s can be
performed.

6.1.2 Initial zero-point check

Before the placement of the thermometer under calibration in the temperature
bath zero point is checked in the dry block calibrator and record the zero-point
data.
.

6.2 CALIBRATION PROCEDURE

The calibration of the Pt-100 is achieved by comparison against a standard
reference thermometer (RPRT) when both are placed in a temperature calibrator.
Both the standard reference thermometer and the test Pt-100 are maintained in
an isothermal region so comparisons can be possible. The temperature calibrator
shall have a zone of sufficient temperature homogeneity (referred to as
measurement zone). The homogeneous zone will in general be at the lower end
of the boring or bath. If the homogeneous zone is situated at another place, this
is explicitly stated in the calibration certificate of the temperature calibrator.
Pt-100s are calibrated by comparison with standard thermometer (RPRT), in
thermally stabilized temperature calibrators suitable for the calibration by
comparison techniques. The standard thermometer and the temperature
calibrator shall be traceable to national standards.

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6.2.1 Immersion of thermometers in the temperature dry block

calibrator
Immersion of the standard reference thermometer (RPRT) and the Pt-100 under
calibration in the temperature bath is realized as follows:
• The calibrator is powered ON.
• The reference thermometer is sunk inside the bath and it is stabilized via
stanchion. The immersion depth is the largest possible and it is placed
near the side from where the operator takes the measurements.
• The under-calibration Pt-100 is also sunk inside the bath and is stabilized
via stanchion.
• The two sensors are placed the nearest possible to one each other. The
maximum number of Pt-100 that can be calibrated simultaneously is three
recommended but depends on sensor and dry block well pocket size.
• The reference sensor is suitably connected with its digital indicator for the
running temperature to be recorded.
• The two sensors remain immersed for all the duration of measurement.

6.2.2 Measuring points

• The calibrator is set at the proper temperatures placing its set point at the
corresponding values.
• The number of temperature points (from 3 to 5) are selected in such a way
for to correspond in roughly equal intervals in the measuring range.
• In each reference temperature and after the stabilization of the calibrator,
we wait 20 more minutes in order thermal balance to be restored.
• Under stabilization conditions the measurements of temperature from the
reference thermometer (RPRT) are recorded (A cycle: 10 values with
minimum time interval between them 5 sec).
• The measurements of temperature from the Pt-100s under calibration are
recorded (B cycle: 10 values with minimum time interval between them 5
sec).
• The measurements of temperature from the reference thermometer
(RPRT) are repeated and recorded (A cycle: 10 values with minimum time
interval between them 5 sec)
• The mean values of the two measuring cycles from the reference
thermometer (RPRT) must not be different more than two times the bath
stability.
• Calibration of the Pt-100 at other measuring points is realized with the
same methodology in increasing only sequence.

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6.2.3 Final zero-point check
After the check of the Pt-100’s in the measuring points check in zero point is
repeated as follows:
• Afterwards the end of calibration the reference sensory and the Pt-100s
under calibration are maintained at environmental temperature until
thermal balance.
• The two sensors are cleaned with distilled or de ionized water.
• The two sensors are immersed in the dry block calibrator.
• Indications are recorded as in the initial control of zero.

6.3 Evaluation

The values measured in series at increasing temperatures are averaged for each
calibration point. The calibration result (deviation of the standard reference
thermometer (RPRT) from the indication of the test Pt-100’s is documented in the
certificate after the necessary corrections.

7. Estimation of the uncertainty of measurement

The uncertainty to be stated as the uncertainty of the calibration of the
thermometer is the measurement uncertainty with which the standard
temperature can be stated.
The following contributions to the uncertainty of measurement shall be taken into
account.

7.1 Reference temperature:

ti + δti-std-mean + δti-cal + δti-drift + δti-immersion + δti-meter-cal +
δti-meter-drift + δti-meter-resolution + δtbath-homogeneity + δtbath-stability
Notation Meaning
ti Mean value of the reference temperature (of the 20
measurements with the reference thermometer).
δti-std-mean The standard uncertainty is the standard deviation of the mean
value of the 20 measurements with the reference thermometer.
δti-cal Correction from the calibration certificate of the reference
temperature sensor. The standard uncertainty is the half value
of that expanded uncertainty U (k=2) reported in the calibration
certificate.
δti-drift Correction due to the drift of the reference temperature sensor.
It is estimated from the calibration history of the sensor. The
corresponding standard uncertainty is estimated from
rectangular distribution as Δ(ti+1-ti)/√3.
δti-immersion Correction due to the inadequate immersion of the reference
thermometer sensor (it is estimated via 20mm erases of the
sensor from its position and record of the change of the
temperature indication Δt: u (δti-immersion) = Δtimm/(√3).

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δti-meter-cal Correction due to the calibration of the indicator of the reference

sensor.
δti-meter-drift Correction due to the drift of the indicator of reference
temperature.
δti-meter- Correction due to the resolution of the reference temperature.
The estimated correction value is zero with corresponding
resolution standard uncertainty d/ (√3).
δtbath- Correction due to bath in homogeneity. The estimated correction
value is zero with corresponding standard uncertainty Δthomog/
homogeneity (√3), where Δthomog is the maximum difference of the single
values of the temperature indications taken from the reference
thermometer at the two positions where the standard sensor
and the under-calibration thermometer are situated.
δtbath- Correction due to bath instability. The estimated correction value
is zero with corresponding standard uncertainty Δtbath-stability/(√3),
stability where Δtbath-stability is the difference between maximum and
minimum temperature indications during 20 min.

✓ The estimated value of most corrections factors is zero with a corresponding

however standard uncertainty (with no zero value). The combined uncertainty is
estimated via the rule of RSS (Root of Sum of Squares) of all the terms:

(ti −std −mean )2 + u 2 (ti −cal ) + u 2 (ti −drift ) + u 2 (ti −immersion ) + u 2 (ti −meter −cal ) +
u (t i ) =
u 2 (t i −meter −drift ) + u 2 (t i −meter −resolution ) + u 2 (t bath−hom ogeneity ) + u 2 (t bath− stability )

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✓ The uncertainty budget of each reference temperature is presented in the following
table (where Ci is the sensitivity factor and equals to 1 cause the mathematical
model is linear to all the influenced parameters):

Uncertainty Budget of the Reference Temperature.

Type of
Estimated Standard Uncertainty
Term Description Distributi Ci
value uncertainty contribution
on
Mean value of
temperature
.ti measured with the .{δti-mean .{δti-std-mean normal 1 {(δti-std-mean)2
reference
thermometer
Calibration of the
U(2σ)/2 (U(2σ)/2)2
Correction from
δti-cal certificate
normal 1
reference sensor
Drift of the reference
δti-drift 0 Δ(ti+1-ti)/(√3) rectangular 1 (Δ(ti+1-ti)/(√3))2
sensor
Immersion depth of
δti-immersion 0 Δtimm/(√3) rectangular 1 (Δtimm/(√3))2
reference sensor
Calibration of
δti-meter-cal - - normal 1 -
indicator
δti-meter-drift Drift of indicator - - rectangular 1 -
δti-meter- Resolution of
0 d/(√3) rectangular 1 (d/(√3))2
resolution indicator
δtbath-
Bath homogeneity 0 Δthomog/(√3) rectangular 1 (Δthomog/(√3))2
homogeneity
δtbath-
Bath stability 0 Δtbathsta/(√3) rectangular 1 (Δtbathsta/(√3))2
stability

Reference δti-mean + .u(ti)

k= 1 √ (Σuti2)
temperature: correction

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7.2 Temperature of the thermometer under calibration

R(ti) + δR(ti)std-mean + δR(ti)immersion + δR(ti)resolution + δR(ti)hysteresis

Notation Meaning
R(ti) Mean value of the temperature measured with the under-
calibration thermometer (of the 10 measurements with
the reference thermometer).
δR(ti)std-mean Standard deviation of the mean of the estimation of R (ti).
δR(ti)immersion Correction due to the inadequate immersion of the
thermometer under calibration (it is estimated via 20mm
erases of the sensor from its position and record of the
change of the temperature indication ΔR:
u[δR(ti)immersion]=ΔRtimm/√3). It is a common practice to be
taken as the half of the standard uncertainty due to
resolution: u[δR(ti)immersion]= dR/(√3).
δR(ti)resolution Correction due to the resolution of the thermometer
under calibration. The estimated correction value is zero
with corresponding standard uncertainty dR/√3.
δR(ti)hysteresis Correction due to the hysteresis of the thermometer due
to its drift during the procedure which is estimated from
the difference of the indication of the thermometer in the
ice bath at the initial and final stages.

✓ The estimated value of most corrections factors is zero with a corresponding

however standard uncertainty (with no zero value). The combined uncertainty
is estimated via the rule of RSS (Root of Sum of Squares) of all the terms:

(
u(R(ti )) = R(ti )std −mean + u 2 (R(ti )immersion ) + u 2 (R(ti )resolution ) + u 2 R(ti )hyssteresi
2
)

✓ The uncertainty budget of each temperature of the under-calibration

thermometer is presented in the following table (where Ci is the sensitivity factor
and equals to 1 cause the mathematical model is linear to all the influenced
parameters):

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Uncertainty Budget of the Temperature under calibration

Estimated Standard Uncertainty
Term Description value uncertainty
Type of Distribution Ci contribution

R(ti) Mean value of

temperature
measured with δR(ti)mean δR(ti)std-mean normal 1 (δR(ti)std-mean)2
the thermometer
under calibration
δR(ti)immersi
on
Immersion depth 0 ΔRtimm/(√3) rectangular 1 (dR/(√3))2
δR(ti)
Resolution 0 dR/(√3) rectangular 1 (dR/(√3))2
resolution
δR(ti)hys
Repeatability 0 ΔRt(00C)/(√3) rectangular 1 (ΔRt(00C)/(∙√3))2
teresis

Temperature .u(R(ti))
δR(ti)mean k=1 √ (ΣuRti2)
under calibration:

7.3 Combined standard uncertainty:

The combined standard uncertainty for a nominal reference temperature t,

is estimated by:

u (R (t )) = u 2 ((t i )) + u 2 (R (t i ))

7.4 Expanded Uncertainty

The uncertainty of the thermometer is expressed as the expanded
uncertainty ± Uexp which corresponds to a probability of approximately 95 %.
This is “k” times the combined uncertainty, where “k” is the coverage factor:

Uexp = k.Ucomb

The coverage factor k can be estimated from t- student distribution for specific
effective degrees of freedom νeff and confidence level. In case where νeff ≥
100, then k = 2 can be used.

By estimating the effective degrees of freedom from Veff of the combined

standard uncertainty Uc(y) from the Welch-Satterthwaite equation

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Where ci  f xi we can take the proper coverage factor k from Table E.1 of
the EA-4/02 Expression of the Uncertainty of Measurements in Calibrations.

In our case all the uncertainties estimated as “Type B” have infinite degrees of
freedom. The “Type A” uncertainties have n-1 degrees of freedom where n the
number of measurements. So, we take:

U 4 comb (t i )
Veff =
U 4(t i ) U 4R(t i )
+
19 9

7.5 Deviation of indications

The deviation δI of the indication Ι, of the under-calibration thermometer from

the reference indication Εref, is estimated by:

δI = Ι – Eref + ΣδΤi

Where ΣδΤi is the sum of all the correction factors.

7.6 Calibration Measurement Capability (CMC):

The calibration measurement capability of the lab is deduced from the lowest
uncertainty of the temperature measurement that the lab can achieve in every
day operation. It depends on the uncertainty contributions of the standard
thermometers, the calibration procedure and the environmental conditions (the
contribution of the thermometer under test is not taken into account).

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8. Calibration protocol
t00C A CLIENT
=
B

S. P. A
t10C B
=
A Date:
S. P. A Report No:
t20C B
=
A
S. P. A REFERENCE STANDARDS
t30C B
=
A
S. P. A THERMOMETER UNDER TEST
t40C B Manufacturer:
=
A Type/Model:
S. P. A Serial No.:
t50C B Resolution:
=
A Description:
t00C A
=
B Ambient Conditions

Α Temp. RH

Calibration point’s series: Calibration is performed only with increasing

temperature.
A Cycle: 10 times with minimum time between them 5 sec.
Cycle Β: 10 times with minimum time between them 5 sec.
Waiting time before the final zero check: The thermometers are acclimated at
environmental temperature.
Waiting time at stabilized temperature: 20 min

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9. REFERENCES
✓ DKD R-5-1:2003, Calibration of resistance thermometers
✓ ASTM E 77¨¨ 2007, Standard Test Method for Inspection and
Verification of Thermometers
✓ ‘Traceable Temperatures’, second edition-Wiley, An Introduction to
Temperature Measurements and Calibration. J.V.Nicholas, D.R.
White.
✓ ITS-90 Guidelines

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