Calibration as a key factor in process efficiency

The calibration laboratory of hotset offers many possibilities for the metrological testing of temperature sensors in various temperature ranges. (Image: Hotset GmbH)

Calibrated and with test certificate: Thermocouples and resistance thermometers from the extensive range of hotset. (Image: Hotset GmbH)

Sven Braatz: "With regular calibration of the temperature sensors, plant builders and module manufacturers can ensure that the measurement results in their processes are always reproducible and accurate." (Image: Hotset GmbH)

Helge Meiritz: "Our calibration laboratory issues acceptance test certificates according to 3.1 in accordance with DIN EN 10204 or also according to CQI-9 and AMS 2750G." (Image: Hotset GmbH)

The German manufacturer of thermosensors and heating elements hotset is increasingly establishing itself as a strategic system partner for measurement and testing equipment users in machinery and plant engineering. A central role here is played by the calibration service of the Temperature Solutions division, which is now used by process engineers, quality managers, and maintenance personnel across numerous industries. Read here why a certificate from the hotset calibration laboratory can be the deciding factor in optimizing thermal processes.

The demands on the efficiency of thermal processes are continuously increasing, and the tolerance limits for temperature measurement are becoming tighter. In many industries, regular and standard-compliant calibration of the measurement and testing instruments used for this purpose has therefore become a central component of quality assurance. Aside from manufacturers in the refractory industry, oven construction, process engineering, and heat treatment, it is the plant builders in the aluminum and steel industries as well as in automotive and aerospace engineering who increasingly rely on the services of hotset's calibration laboratory. "We are continuously expanding our technology and competence spectrum so that our Temperature Solutions division has developed into a recognized service partner for quality assurance for many machine manufacturers and plant operators in the field of thermosensor calibration," says hotset CEO Sven Braatz.

Calibration as a Competitive Factor

In companies, it is primarily test technicians, development engineers, quality managers, and maintenance personnel who are responsible for monitoring the measurement accuracy of temperature sensors used in their processes and procedures. To ensure this, all thermocouples and resistance thermometers used for contact temperature measurement of solid, liquid, and gaseous media must be regularly calibrated in accordance with standards. At hotset's calibration laboratory, the measurement deviation of the sensors is demonstrated and documented by referencing to national or international standards in accordance with the International System of Units SI. The testing processes and certificates of the calibration laboratory adhere to the standards of DIN EN ISO 17025:2005.

For plant builders and assembly manufacturers, calibrating temperature sensors can be of competitive importance. Typical scenarios include, for example, when the customer demands proof that only certified temperature sensors are installed in the machines or devices they purchase, or when, in the case of maintenance and re-engineering projects, it must be verified whether the existing measurement systems still meet current tolerance specifications. "With prolonged operation under high loads, many measuring instruments lose accuracy, leading to decreased process and product quality as well as unwanted customer complaints. Regular calibration of sensors can prevent such negative developments. It ensures that measurement results are consistently repeatable and accurate," explains Sven Braatz. Especially test technicians, quality managers, and development engineers in automotive manufacturing, industrial furnace construction, aerospace, hardening plants, and temperature technology are increasingly valuing standard-compliant calibration. "As proof of calibration, we produce acceptance test certificates according to 3.1 in accordance with DIN EN 10204 or also according to CQI-9 and AMS 2750G," says Helge Meiritz, who heads the Temperature Solutions division at hotset.

The Temperature Solutions division of hotset represents the company's expertise as a manufacturer of both heating elements and thermosensors. Under its management, the development, production, and customer-specific configuration of thermocouples, resistance thermometers, heating elements, temperature channels, and protective fittings are carried out. It is often involved in implementing complex solutions that hotset realizes as a holistic system provider for customers in industrial temperature control, heating, testing, and control technology. "Additionally, we also produce thermocouples, which are integrated solutions combining sensor and measurement technology," emphasizes Helge Meiritz.

Wide Range of Possibilities

Besides calibration as a customer-specific service, hotset also calibrates the measurement accuracy of thermocouples and resistance thermometers from its own product line hotcontrol in its calibration laboratory. Not only are finished sensors checked, but also all supplier parts used for their manufacture—such as the sheath material. The hotset calibration laboratory offers many options for measuring the temperature sensors at 0°C as well as in the temperature range from 150°C to 1,200°C, using calibrators, multimeters, multiplexers, and comparison standards.

Hotset's thermosensors are part of the standard equipment of many device and plant manufacturers worldwide. They are available as ready-to-use modules in numerous designs and can be used—depending on the variant—for contact temperature measurement of solid, liquid, and gaseous media. They are characterized by high measurement accuracy and fast response times, proving to be long-term stable, process-safe sensor solutions for temperature ranges well above 1,000°C in many applications.