Calibration of a Platinum Resistance Thermometer (Pt-100) and Its Measurement Uncertainty Analysis

Abstract

A common problem found in the industrial metrology is the reliability of the results obtained from temperature instruments, especially when they are used in operational processes which effect to the production quality. In this case, calibration of thermometer associated with a national standard through a documented unbroken chain of calibrations is of vital importance. This study presents the reliability of a Pt-100 Platinum Resistance Thermometer (PRT) measurement results which can be described according to calibration and statistical methods. The calibrated PRT’s resistance values are characterized as around 131.00 Ω by making a comparison with a reference PRT at 80 °C bath temperature and the total uncertainty of the calibration temperature is determined as ±0.08656 °C by metrological traceability together with measurement uncertainty. The total uncertainty value changes depending on uncertainty values of each equipment used in the calibration system.