Has it ever crossed your mind that your smart thermostat is capable of determining the precise temperature in your house? Or how do those weather stations determine the precipitate and the humidity to be expected outside? That, of course, relies on the proper adjustments of the temperature and humidity sensors.
Calibration can be defined as a manner in which a sensor can be put in the right position to be able to perform the right functions. In this article, the reader is to be introduced to the topic and peculiarities of sensor calibration, with a down focus on the temperature and humidity sensors.
Understanding why calibration of these sensors is necessary and learning the ways to calibrate them right will help you to make your devices deliver accurate data for climatic control as well as for studying the environment. Well then, let’s start and explore the unknown of how to calibrate temperature and humidity sensors!
Understanding the Importance of Calibration
Why Calibration Matters
Calibration is widely defined as the process of putting a sensor at a specific measurable state in connection with a known standard. Sensors as any other devices can suffer from drift which can be accounted for by external factors, deterioration, and contamination. To check whether the sensor is functioning properly, calibration should be performed frequently and it is significant in applications that involve maintaining strict control of the surrounding environment.
Steps to Calibrate a Temperature and Humidity Sensor
1. Gather the Necessary Equipment
- Before you begin, make sure you have the following items:
- The first is the temperature and humidity sensor that you would want to calibrate.
- A calibrated reference sensor or, as for the humidity and temperature, a calibration device, like a hygrometer or a thermometer.
- If the device under calibration requires the use of calibration software the user must have this software readily available, or the user must have a data logger in case it is needed in the process of calibration.
- Saturated salt solutions or salt kits (for assessing relative humidity levels).
- This involves providing a stable environment in which the calibration is going to take place.
2. Prepare the Calibration Environment
Select a stable environment of working with the practice that the temperature and humidity are not changing sharply. Skip locations with drafts, excessive light or heat, or those with increased temperature changes, as these interfere with the calibration process.
3. Calibrate the Temperature Sensor
To calibrate the temperature sensor, follow these steps:
Comparison Method:
- Keep the sensor and the thermometer used for calibration in the same setting.
- Let both devices come to a steady state in which they would not need to readjust their measured heat.
- Check and compare the actual flow and temperature readings of the sensor with that of the reference thermometer.
- Any variations should be noted and the sensor’s readings altered using the calibration software or the manual calibration tool that is issued by the manufacturer and based on the reference thermometer’s values.
Ice Bath Method:
- Add ice and water to the container and stir the mixture round to blend making it a slush mixture.
- Place the sensor and a thermometer with a known value to measure the desired setting in the ice bath.
- This is to ensure that the readings obtained are stable, which will only be possible if the wait time is increased.
- Remove the offset from the sensor to obtain the values observed on the electronic reference thermometer, usually, 0°C (32°F).
4. Calibrate the Humidity Sensor
Calibrating a humidity sensor is more complex than calibrating a temperature sensor. Here’s how to do it:
Using Salt Solutions:
- Purchase for or prepare saturated salt solutions that will create specific concentrations of humidity (e.g. sodium chloride for 75. 3% RH, magnesium chloride for 32. 8% RH).
- Pour the salt solution into another container and fix the sensor cover tightly.
- The fluctuations in temperature and humidity should be allowed to stabilize in the holding container for a period of 24 hours.
- The recorded minimum and maximum temperatures are recorded and then compared to the calculated relative humidity emitted by the salt solutions.
- Users face a complex process of either calibration by software or by manually moving the sensors until the readings match known values.
Using a Calibration Device:
- When using a commercial calibration instrument, then use the instructions provided by the manufacturers to set a particular humidity in the chamber.
- Insert the sensor into the calibration device.
- Wait for the sensor to warm up.
- Check if the readings from the sensor are the same as the output from the device.
- If it is, then adjust the readings of the sensor respectively.
Tips for Successful Calibration
Regular Calibration
It is very important to calibrate sensors on a regular basis so that any changes in performance or reading accuracy can be identified and addressed. Some sensors might need to be calibrated frequently based on their usage and location, while others can be calibrated every six months to a year.
Use High-Quality Reference Instruments:
Make sure that the thermometer and hygrometer used as a reference point are in optimal calibration. With the help of the high-quality, certified reference instruments the accuracy of sensor calibration will be increased.
Record Calibration Data
Ensure you record all the calibration activities that you conduct by recording the date of calibration, the reference values, and the adjustments made where necessary. This documentation can also be useful for long term studies of the sensors, and to understand changes in their performance or failures that may occur.
Follow Manufacturer Guidelines
For specific measurements and intervals it is advisable to check with the manufacturer for instructions for calibration. Some forms of sensors may require distinct calibration techniques compared to others due to their functional characteristics.
Ensuring Precision with Every Reading
It is paramount to know how to calibrate a temperature and humidity sensor for it to be accurate and provide the right information. This means that by strictly adhering to the manufacturer’s recommendations and employing calibration instruments such as the reference instruments, accurate measurements can be obtained. It is therefore important for the operator to check the readings of the sensor and in some cases, adjust the set point to ensure that the accuracy of the sensor is consistent. It is also necessary to underline that environmental factors may also influence the characteristics of the sensor, which is why it should be maintained and monitored regularly. Hence, it is necessary to spend some extra time to correct your temperature and humidity sensor so that you get better and reliable result from your findings in the future.
Remember, you also need to perform calibration check-ups on the sensor to ensure its optimal functionality!
Also Read – What is a WiFi Thermometer & How to Use One
