IR THROUGH THE AGES
Looking for answers to IR thermometers and thermocouples? This document gives a background of radiation thermometers and thermocouples and describes the various types of IR sensors that are available. Discussions include handheld IR thermometers, laser sights, infrared thermocouples, fiber-optic sensors and indicators and controllers. Included are applications, information resources, emissivity tables and glossary. More information is available at www.omega.com/literature/transactionsvolume 1/product3.html. Omega Engineering; 800/622-2378; www.omega.com
TEST AND MEASUREMENT TOOL USERS COMMUNITY
This Test and Measurement Tool Users Community gets you in touch with other users of Fluke test and measurement equipment to discuss questions regarding applications and uses. There are forums on digital multimeters, clamp meters and testers, thermography, process instrument calibration, insulation resistance test, portable oscilloscopes and IR and contact thermometers. Issues such as power quality and harmonics, maintenance and troubleshooting, power distribution and more are included. Go to www.flukecommunity.com. Fluke; 425/347-6100; www.fluke.com
ALL ABOUT TEMPERATURE SENSORS
This site aims at telling you all you want to know about temperature sensors. The approach of the site is to locate, describe and organize existing web-based information into an easy-to-access framework. The site is primarily an educational web site resource for students at every level because the available material covers concepts ranging from the simplest one in engineering and heat and thermodynamics through advanced applications involving complex physics and mathematics. Go to temperatures.com. Temperatures.com; 215/325-1450; www.temperatures.com
TEMPERATURE TRAINING
On this web site, users can find white papers, presentations, courses and other information about temperature measurement, calibration and control available. Tips, news, user guides—even temperature metrology jokes! More information at www.hartscientific.com/publications/index.htm . Hart Scientific; 800/438-4279; www.hartscientific.com
ANOTHER HOT READ
Temperature Measurement by automation guru Béla Lipták covers in 134 pages nearly every type of temperature measurement device, in particular, bimetallic thermometers, filled bulb and glass stem thermometers, thermistors, thermocouples and thermowells. Includes suppliers and prices. Published by CRC. Available from www.amazon.com
BACK TO BASICS
This article by Alan Tong, Technical Director of Pico Technology, Ltd. takes a back-to- basics look at three of the most popular temperature sensor technologies and offers advice on how to avoid pitfalls and traps that often destroy the accuracy of a temperature measurement system. Topics include making the right measurement, thermocouples, RTDs, thermistors and measurement equipment and calibration. Article can be found at www.picotech.com/applications/temperature.html. Pico Technology; +44 (0)1480 396396; www.picotech.com
ELECTRIC TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT
This article focuses on electronic thermometers—those with an electrical output that can be connected to a measuring instrument, such as data acquisition systems, data loggers, control systems and charter recorders. It answers questions such as is temperature measurement difficult, what are the sources of temperature measurement error, how to choose a practical calibration reference, the effect of head conduction in sensor leads, and the effect of radiation on measuring air temperature. Article can be viewed at www.capgo.com/Resources/Temperature/TempHome/TempMeasurement.html. Capgo; 613/5442-4909; www.capgo.com
TEMPERATURE TECH FACTS
Technical Library is designed to give users answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about temperature measurement. Read about how long it takes to get a reading; how to determine the accuracy of a system; when there are two accuracy statements—which one is correct; and what are the benefits of grounded, ungrounded and exposed probe junctions. Cole-Parmer; 800/323-4340; www.coleparmer
