NBS Measurement Services:

Research Information Center

ilSallonai Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899

JAN 6 1988

Platinum Resistance

Thermometer Calibrations

THERMODYNAMIC TEMPERATURE

Fundamental L»w» defining Thermodynamic Temperature

T - 273.16 . W (C.rnofi Lawl

T Thirmodynamic Tampefature W - Work Performed in Carnol Cycle

T , P-»o IGai Law)

273.16 lim PoVo

Po " Praitureat273.16K Vo- Volume at 273. 16K

X5 („p(Ci)-ll

A = Wavelength C,.C, = Conilar INTERNATIONAL PRACTICAL TEMPERATURE SCALE OF 1968 (AMENDED EDITION OF 1975)

The IPTS-68 (amended edition of 197SI it b»ed on the aitigned valuci of The lemperaturei of 13 defining Fixed Point Intfrumenti calibrated at thoie lemperaturei. Specified tnterpolalion Funciioni for the Standard Ini calculaling Intermediate temperaturei.

STANDARD

INSTRUMENTS

SECONDARY

REFERENCE

POINTS

Platinum Reiittance Thermor Pi+10%Hh

Pi Thermocouple

J

s

I I i 1 " = ll z i s i i

1

1

1 : i i

SI

.1 i Is ' M J ^ •

i

'

i :

i

u z £ £

T.P. - Triple Point

B.P. - Boiling Pom

Cond, Point Cor>dentai'c Sub. Point Subllmiiion Poini

NBS

Special

Publication

250-22

B. W. Mangum

U.S. Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards
Center for Basic Standards

The Center for Basic Standards develops and maintains tine scientific competences and laboratory facilities nec- essary to preserve and continue to refine the base physical quantities upon which the Nation's measurement

system is constructed. The Center is responsible for the standards of voltage, current, resistance and

impedance, temperature, vacuum, leak rate, pressure, mass, length, time and frequency. The Center collaborates closely with the standardizing laboratories of other countries to ensure that measures used in international

trade are fully compatible. The Center also performs research at the frontiers of physics in order to improve

measurement capability and quantitative understanding of basic physical processes that underlie measurement

science.

Electricity Division

Maintains and improves the national standards of electrical measurements; conducts experiments; conducts ex- periments to realize the electrical units in terms of the mechanical units; develops stable electrical standards

and improved methods for the dissemination of the units of electrical measurements; determines fundamental

physical constants related to electrical units; develops instrumentation for precise electrical measurements di- rectly referenced to the national standards; implements techniques for their use and puts them into practical

applications; assists in applying scientific and technological development of measurement problems especially in otiier areas of NBS research.

Temperature and Pressure Division

Maintains and improves the national standards of temperature and pressure; conducts research towards the development of new concepts for these standards; calibrates practical standards for the U.S. scientific and technical community in terms of the primary standards; develops methods and devices to assist user groups in the

assessment and enhancement of the accuracy of their measurements of temperature and pressure; prepares

and promulgates evaluations and descriptions of temperature and pressure measurement processes; coordi- nates these standards and measurement methods nationally and internationally; and determines the accuracy of the national standards of temperature and pressure with respect to fundamental thermodynamic relations.

Lengtli and Mass Division

Develops and uses the competence necessary to implement a more accurate measurement system for length

and mass; applies research, utilizing the most advanced technology available, to the improvement of our present

standards and devises new standards and new methods for their transfer. Time and Frequency Division

Maintains, develops and improves the national standards for the unit of time, the unit of frequency, and time

scales based on these standards; carries out research in areas of importance to the further fundamental improvement of frequency standards and their applications focusing on microwave and laser devices, atomic and

molecular resonances, and the measurement of fundamental physical phenomena and constants; adapts time

and frequency standard devices and concepts to special scientific and technological demands; develops time

and frequency measurement methods in the radiofrequency, microwave, infrared, and visible radiation regions;

coordinates the NBS time scales with international time scales and the time scales maintained by the United

States Naval Observatory; collaborates with national and international organizations in the development of improved methods for the measurement of time related quantities; operates time and frequency dissemination services, such as radio stations and broadcasts, for the purpose of traceability to the national standards of time and

frequency.

Quantum Pliyslcs Division

Engages in research in atomic and molecular physics at the forefront of the field, and performs basic, highly

accurate measurements and theoretical analyses that help establish a reliable foundation for scientific and technological measurement and data.

Quantum i\/letroiogy Division

Engages in forefront research In quantum metrology; contributes to new determinations of the fundamental

physical constants, and the extension and refinement of the electromagnetic scale and devises, where possible,

tests of basic symmetries and Invariances.
NBS MEASUREMENT SERVICES:

Platinum Resistance Thermometer Calibrations

B. W. Mangum

Temperature and Pressure Division

Center for Basic Standards

National Measurement Laboratory

National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE, Clarence J. Brown, Acting Secretary

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS, Ernest Ambler, Director

Issued October 1987
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 87-619875

National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 250-22

Natl. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 250-22, 364 pages (Oct. 1987)

CODEN: XNBSAV

Certain commercial equipment, instruments, or materials are identified in this paper in order to adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of Standards, nor does it imply that the materials or equipment

identified are necessarily the best available for the purpose.

U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE

WASHINGTON: 1987

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402-9325
PREFACE

Calibrations and related measurement services of the National Bureau of

Standards provide the means for makers and users of measuring tools to achieve

levels of measurement accuracy that are necessary to attain quality,

productivity and competitiveness. These requirements include the highest

levels of accuracy that are possible on the basis of the most modern advances

in science and technology as well as the levels of accuracy that are necessary

in the routine production of goods and services. More than 300 different

calibrations, measurement assurance services and special tests are available

from NBS to support the activities of public and private organizations. These

services enable users to link their measurements to the reference standards

maintained by NBS and, thereby, to the measurement systems of other countries

throughout the world. NBS Special Publication 250, NBS Calibration Services

Users Guide . describes the calibrations and related services that are offered,

provides essential information for placing orders for these services and

identifies expert persons to be contacted for technical assistance.

NBS Special Publication 250 has recently been expanded by the addition of

supplementary publications that provide detailed technical descriptions of

specific NBS calibration services and, together with the NBS Calibration

Services Users Guide, they constitute a topical series. Each technical

supplement on a particular calibration service includes:

o specifications for the service

o design philosophy and theory

o description of the NBS measurement system

o NBS operational procedures

o measurement uncertainty assessment

error budget

systematic errors random errors

o NBS internal quality control procedures

The new publications will present more technical detail than the information

that can be included in NBS Reports of Calibration. In general they will also

provide more detail than past publications in the scientific and technical

literature; such publications, when they exist, tend to focus upon a particular element of the topic and other elements may have been published in

different places at different times. The new series will integrate the

description of NBS calibration technologies in a form that is more readily

accessible and more useful to the technical user.

The present publication, SP 250-22, NBS Measurement Services: Platinum

Resistance Thermometer Calibrations by B. W. Mangum, is one of approximately

20 documents in the new series published or in preparation by the Center for

iii
the Center for Basic Standards. It describes calibration technology and

procedures utilized in connection with NBS Service Identification Numbers

from 33010C to 33120M listed in the NBS Calibration Services Users Guide

1986-88/Revised (pages 52-54). Inquiries concerning the contents of these

documents may be directed to the author (s) or to one of the technical contact

persons identified in the Users Guide.

Suggestions for improving the effectiveness and usefulness of the new series

would be very much appreciated at NBS. Likewise, suggestions concerning the

need for new calibration services, special tests and measurement assurance

programs are always welcome.

Joe D. Simmons, Acting Chief

Office of Physical Measurement Services

Peter L. M. Heydemann, Director

Center for Basic Standards

iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION 1

II. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES 2

II. 1. Types of Thermometers Calibrated 2

11. 2. Temperature Ranges of Calibrations and Tabulation

of Services 2

11.3. Measurement Assurance Programs 2

11. 4. Uncertainty of Calibrations 3

II. 4. a. Uncertainty of measurement at the

temperature fixed points 3

II. 4. b. Uncertainty propagation curves M 11. 5. Precision Measurement Seminars 4

11. 6. Guide for Obtaining Calibration of SPRTs at the NBS . 5

II. 6. a. Inquiries and purchase orders for SPRT

calibrations 5

II. 6. b. SPRT requirements to qualify for regular

calibration schedule 6

II. 6. c. Calibration services 7

II. 6. d. Shipment of SPRT to NBS for calibration. . . 9

11. 7. NBS Contacts 10

III. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY 16

III.1. Specifications of SPRTs 16

III. l.a. Limits on a 16

Ill.l.b. Supplementary information on SPRTs 17

III. I.e. Equations describing resistance versus temperature relationships 19

Ill.l.d. Analysis of the first derivatives at 0 °C

of IPTS-68(75) platinum resistance

thermometer equations above and

below 0 °C 21 III. I.e. Derivation of differential coefficients

for the analysis of errors in platinum

resistance thermometry 26

V
111. 2. Primary Standards (SPRTs) Designs and Construction. . 40

III. 2. a. Long-stem PRTs ^3

III. 2.b. Capsule-type PRTs 43

111. 3. Industrial PRT (IPRT) Designs 44

IV. DESCRIPTION OF CALIBRATION SYSTEM 82

IV. 1. Fixed-Point Cells 82

IV. 1. a. Triple point of water 82

- IV.I.b. Metal freezing points 85

IV. I.e. Oxygen normal boiling point 95

IV. 2. Furnaces for Fixed-Point Cells 96

IV. 3. Cryostat for Comparison Calibration Between

1 3.81 K and 90. 188 K TOO

IV. 4. Resistance Measurement System 102

IV. 4. a. Direct current comparator resistance

bridge 103

IV. 4. b. Automatic resi stance- thermometer bridge. . . Ill

IV. 4. c. Precision resistors 114

IV. 5. Computer System for Analysis of Calibration Data. . . 114

V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES ... 188

V. I. PRT Calibration Procedure 188

V. l.a. Long-stem SPRTs 188

V.l.b. Capsule-type SPRTs 189

V.2. Temperature Fixed Points Used in Calibration of PRTs. 189

V.2.a. The zinc freezing point 189

, V.2.a.1. Zinc-point cell 189

V.2.a.2. Furnace for the zinc-point cell. . 190

V.2.a.3. Preparation of the zinc-point

freeze 191

V.2.b. The tin freezing point 192

V.2.b.1. Tin-point cell 192

V.2.b.2. Furnace for the tin-point cell . . 193

-

. : V.2.b.3. Preparation of the tin-point

freeze 193

vi
V.2.C. The triple point of water 195

V. 2.d. Normal boiling point of oxygen 199

V.3. Comparison Calibration of PRTs Below 90 K 200

Self-Heating Effects 203

V.5. Data analysis 206

V. 6. Calibration Report 21

4

VI. UNCERTAINTIES OF CALIBRATION 220

VI. 1. Random Uncertainties of the Temperature Fixed Points. 221

VI. 1. a. Random uncertainties at the zinc point . . . 221

Vl.l.b. Random uncertainties at the tin point. . . . 224

VI. I.e. Random uncertainties at the triple point

of water 227

Vl.l.d. Random uncertainties at the oxygen normal

boiling point 228

VI. 2. Systematic Uncertainties 228

VI. 2. a. Those due to changes in the SPRTs 228

VI. 2. b. Those due to immersion errors 229

VI. 2. c. Those due to inadequacies in the

IPTS-68(75) 230

VI. 2. d. Those due to uncertainties in temperature

fixed-point values and in measurements . . . 232

VI. 3. Propagation of Errors 233

VI. 4. Uncertainty Range of Typical Customer SPRTs 245

VII. INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROL 312

VII. 1. SPRT Check Standards 312

VII. 1. a. Check standards at the zinc point 313

Vll.l.b. Check standards at the tin point 314

VII. I.e. Check standards at the oxygen normal

boil ing poi nt 31 5 Vll.l.d. Check standards for the 13 K to 90 K

temperature region 315

VII. 2. Control Charts for SPRTs 316

VII. 2. a. B vs. A 31 6 VII. 2. b . 6 vs . a 31 6

vii
VIII. FUTURE PLANS 334

VIII. 1. Automate Calibration of Long-stem SPRTs 334

VIII. 2. Automate Calibration of Capsule-type SPRTs 334

VIII. 3. Install Check Temperature Fixed Point 334

VIII. 4. Preparation of Back-up Tin and Zinc Fixed-point

Cells 334

VIII. 5. Preparation of Argon Triple-point Cell and

.

. - Its Associated Apparatus 334

VIII. 6. Prepare for Revision of IPTS-68 335

VIII. 6. a. Install aluminum fixed point and

. . , furnace 335

VIII. 6. b. Install silver fixed point and furnace . . 335

VIII. 6. c. Install gold fixed point and furnace . . . 335

IX. REFERENCES 336

X. BIBLIOGRAPHY 3^1

X.l. NBS Publications 3^1

X. 2. Non-NBS Publications 3^3

XI. APPENDIX 344

XI. 1. Typical Calibration Report 344

viii
PLATINUM RESISTANCE THERMOMETER CALIBRATIONS

I. INTRODUCTION

The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) employs the International

Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, Amended Edition of 1975 [ IPTS-68 ( 75 ) ]

^

2

and the 1976 Provisional 0.5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale (EPT-76) as the

basis for its calibration activities in thermometry. The NBS temperature

calibrations, however, are not limited to those instruments which are

specified in these scales; non-"standard" sensors may be calibrated also. In

all cases, great care is taken to make such calibrations consistent with the

IPTS-68(75) and the EPT-76.

The platinum resistance thermometer and the platinum- 10 percent rhodium

versus platinum thermocouple are the specified interpolating instruments of

the IPTS-68(75) for the range I3.8I K to 630.74 °C and 630.74 °C to

1064.43 °C, respectively.

1
II. DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES

11. 1. Types of Thermometers Calibrated

NBS provides calibration services for standard platinum resistance

thermometers (SPRTs) from 13.8I K to 903-89 K. Both long-stem- type and

capsule-type SPRTs are calibrated, providing direct access to the IPTS-68(75),

although neither type is suitable for calibration and/or use over the entire

range from 13.8I K to 903.89 K.

To qualify for testing, either long-stem or capsule platinum resistance

thermometers must meet several conditions:

o They must reasonably be expected to meet the requirements of the

IPTS-68(75) for a standard interpolating instrument (i.e., a four-lead

resistor of high-purity platinum hermetically sealed in a protecting

tube ) . ^ '.^

o They must be compatible with the NBS highest precision calibration

equipment (see Section 11.6 for further information and Section 11.7

for NBS contacts )

.

11. 2. Temperature Ranges of Calibrations and Tabulation of Services

The user may choose any of several types of calibration, as listed in

Table 11.1. He may also specify the form of the resulting calibration, e.g.,

R(t), [w(t)=R(t)/R(0 °C)], or [R(t)-R(0 °C)] versus temperature (t) based on

the IPTS-68(75). Here, R(t) is the resistance R in ohms at the temperature t expressed in °C and R(0 °C) is the resistance at 0 °C. A minimum charge is

made on all standard platinum thermometers received. This charge covers, in

part, the cost of receiving and returning thermometers which, for some reason,

are found to be unsuitable for test.

11.3- Measurement Assurance Programs

Measurement Assurance Programs (MAPs) are provided at two different

levels. At the lowest level of uncertainty (highest accuracy), the MAP

consists of sending three calibrated SPRTs to the participant's laboratory

where the PRTs are measured and then returned to the NBS for recalibration.

The results are compared and a report to the participant is issued. Where

2
necessary, suggestions for improvements in measurement or documentation are made. In the past, measurements at most of the laboratories agreed with those

of the NBS to within ± 5 mK . In the higher level of uncertainty MAP, NBS

conducts an assessment of industrial laboratories at the 0.1 to 0.01 K level

through the exchange of SPRTs.

II. 4. Uncertainty of Calibrations

The i rr eproduc i bi 1 i ty of the highest-quality calibration of SPRTs is

less than ±0.1 mK and the overall uncertainty of calibration is less than

± 1 mK . The triple point of water cells used for calibration of SPRTs are reproducible to 50 yK or better while the zinc and tin freezing-point cells

each agree to within ± 0.1 mK . The i r r e pr od uc i bi 1 i ty of comparison

calibrations of long-stem type SPRTs in terms of the reference standard SPRTs

at the oxygen normal boiling point (-183 °C) is less than ± 0.1 mK . The

stability of the reference SPRTs in this temperature range is also about

± 0.1 mK . The NBS temperature scale in the range 13 K to 90 K is based on stable reference standard SPRTs of the capsule type and has an irreproducibil ity of about ±0.1 mK down to about 20 K. Below 20 K, the

irreproducibil ity degrades to about ± 0.3 mK as the SPRTs become less

sensitive

.

II. 4. a. Uncertainty of measurements at the temperature fixed points

For rout i ne calibrations of SPRTs, the random uncertainties are somewhat

degraded from those just given. The best estimates of the random

uncertainties for a given calibration of an SPRT at the zinc, tin and oxygen

fixed points are those given in Table II. 2 by the pooled standard deviations

at those points for the 5 SPRTs studied at length.

The uncertainty at the triple point of water due to systematic errors is

estimated to be ± 0.04 mK . This results from differences in the isotopic

compositions of ocean water and the normally occurring continental surface

water

.

The uncertainty from systematic instrumental errors is estimated to be

7 about 2 parts in 10 . Since ratios of the measured resistance at temperature

t to that at 0 °C are made, this corresponds to about ± 0.16 mK at the zinc

3
point, ±0.11 mK at the tin point, and ± 0.05 mK at the oxygen point. To

these values at the tin and zinc points, one must add the uncertainties

resulting from the systematic errors caused by sample impurities. The tin and

zinc freezing-point cells used in calibrations are prepared from 99.99995S pure

materials. Assuming Raoult's law of dilute solutions, the 1 part per million

(ppm) impurity in the tin and zinc samples yields an uncertainty of about

± 0.00030 °C in the tin-point temperature and an uncertainty of about

± 0.00054 °C in the zinc-point temperature. Consequently, the total

uncertainties at the tin and zinc-point temperatures resulting from systematic

errors are estimated to be about ± 0.32 mK and about ± 0.56 mK, respectively.

When the Comite Consultatif de Thermometrie (CCT) of the Comite

International des Poids et Mesures (CIPM) set up the IPTS-68, they arbitrarily

3 changed the hotness of the NBS oxygen point to a value 1.9 mK lower than

that maintained previously on the NBS-1955 Scale and this leads to a

+ 1 systematic error in our calibration at the oxygen point of about _^ mK.

In the region from 13.8I K to 90.188 K, the uncertainty resulting from

systematic errors relative to the NBS-IPTS-68 ( 75 ) wire scale is estimated to

be $± 0.5 mK over the entire range.

The total estimated uncertainty (systematic and random) of calibrations

on the IPTS-68(75), then, is about ±1 mK at the zinc and tin points and

+ 1 _^ mK at the oxygen point. For calibrations of capsule-type SPRTs in the

13.81 K to 90.188 K region, the total uncertainty is estimated to be <± 1 mK

relative to the NBS-IPTS-68(75) wire scale.

11. 4. b. Uncertainty propagation curves Figure II. 1 gives the error at various temperatures above 90 K as a result of errors in calibration. See figures of Section VI for similar curves

for temperatures below 90 K.

11. 5. Precision Measurement Seminars

One and one-half days of the twice-annual Precision Thermometry Seminar

are devoted to platinum resistance thermometry. Instruction is provided on

all aspects of this form of thermometry. Laboratory simulation of

calibrations is also given, and hands-on laboratory experience is included.

4
II. 6. Guide for Obtaining Calibration of SPRTs at the NBS.

The following guides are intended for users and those immediately

connected with the application of SPRTs who are interested in obtaining

calibration services at the NBS or for those who are planning to purchase

SPRTs.

The SPRT calibration equipment and the procedures employed by NBS are for

4-terminal thermometers that meet the IPTS-68(75) specification of quality and

that are constructed within certain external physical dimensions and immersion

requirements. To obtain calibration services within the regular time

schedule, the SPRTs must conform to these specifications. Any deviations from

these specifications will result in additional cost, time, or rejection for

calibration, e.g., the calibration of an over-sized SPRT is prohibitively

expensive.

II. 6. a. Inquiries and purchase orders for SPRT calibrations.

II.6.a.1. Inquiries and purchase orders should be directed to the attention

of:

Temperature and Pressure Division

Room B04, Physics Building

National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

II. 6. a. 2. Shipping

Attention is called to Section D of Chapter I in NBS Special Publication

250, Calibration and Test Services of the National Bureau of Standards (1982

edition) which deals with shipping, insurance, and risk of loss or damage of

instruments sent to NBS for calibration and test. Two of these paragraphs are quoted below for convenience of reference.

Shipping and insurance coverage instructions should be clearly and

legibly shown on the purchase order for the calibration or test. The

customer must pay shipping charges to and from NBS; shipments from NBS

will be made collect. The method of return transportation should be

stated and it is recommended that return shipments be insured, since NBS

will not assume liability for their loss or damage. For long-distance

shipping, it is found that air express and air freight provide an advantage in reduction of time in transit. If return shipment by parcel

post is requested or is a suitable mode of transportation, shipments will

be prepaid by NBS but without covering insurance. When no shipping or

5
insurance instructions are furnished, return shipment will be made by

common carrier collect and uninsured.

The risk of loss or damage in handling or testing of any item by NBS

is assumed by the customer, except when it is determined by the NBS that

such loss or damage was occasioned solely by the negligence of NBS

personnel

.

II. 6. a. 3. Information required

The user of the SPRT shall assume the responsibility to provide the

following information either directly or through his procurement group. If

any one item of the requested information is lacking, the calibration will be

delayed. To minimize the "paper work", all necessary information should be

forwarded in a single communication.

II.6.a.3.1. Manufacturer, model number, and serial number of the SPRT

II. 6. a. 3. 2. The temperature range in which the SPRT will be employed.

II. 6. a. 3. 3. Specific calibration desired. (See under Section II. 6. c the list

of test services that are available.)

II. 6. a. 3. 4. Specify the type and quantity of thermometer calibration tables

desired. (See under Section II.6.C.3 the list of tables that are available .

)

II. 6. a. 3. 5. If more than one type of calibration service, e.g., the

calibration of standard resistors is also being purchased from

NBS on the same purchase order, enough copies of purchase orders

should be prepared so that one copy can accompany each type of

instrument to be tested.

II. 6. a. 3. 6. If insurance of the return shipment is desired, it must be

requested. Such insurance is recommended.

II. 6. b. SPRT requirements to qualify for regular calibration schedule

II.6.b.1. Quality:

The SPRT must be a i|-terminal resistor that conforms to the IPTS-68( 75 ) specifications for construction practice and quality.

II.6.b.2. Dimensions:

II.6.b.2.1. Long-stem type SPRT

The maximum length of the resistance element shall be 5 cm. The entire

element must be located near one end of the SPRT. The maximum outside

dimension of the SPRT sheath shall be 7.52 mm (0.296") for a minimum length of

6
46 cm (18"). The maximum overall length of glass-sheathed SPRTs shall be

1 meter. The maximum overall length of SPRTs that have sheaths of thin metal

is limited by the height to the ceiling of the NBS calibration laboratory;

SPRTs up to 4 meters can be accommodated.

The accuracy of the SPRT calibration and the user's application depend,

among other things, upon the immersion characteristics of the thermometer.

Although the thermometer may meet the preceding requirements of dimensions,

its immersion characteristics may be too poor for calibrations that employ the

existing equipment at NBS.

II. 6. b. 2. 2. Capsule-type SPRT

The maximum length of the resistance element shall be 5 cm. The element

must be located at one end of the SPRT. The maximum overall length of the

SPRT shall be 8 cm. The sheath, at the end that contains the resistance

element, shall be reasonably uniform and shall not exceed 5.72 mm (0.225")

outside diameter for a minimum length of 5 cm and maximum length of 8 cm. The outside diameter of any part of the SPRT, including the head where the

four leads emerge through a hermetic seal, shall not exceed 9.5 mm (0.38");

the length of the enlarged section shall not exceed 2 cm.

II. 6. c. Calibration services

II.6.C.1. Long-stem SPRTs

II. 6. c. 1.1. Calibration at the triple point of water, freezing point of tin

and freezing point of zinc.

A table will be furnished with entries at 1 °C intervals between -50 and

+500 °C.

II. 6. c. 1.2. Calibration at the triple point of water, freezing point of tin,

freezing point of zinc, and normal boiling point of oxygen.

A table will be furnished with entries at 1 °C intervals between -183

and + 500 °C.

II. 6. c. 1.3. Thermometers which will withstand temperatures above 500 °C, such

as quartz or Inconel sheathed thermometers, and calibrated under II. 6. c. 1.1 or

II. 6. c. 1.2 will be furnished tables to 631 °C.

7
II.6.C.2. Capsule-type SPRTs

The capsule-type SPRTs are not generally calibrated above the tin-point

temperature at the NBS. Because of the uncertain electrical insulation

characteristics between the leads at the zinc point, any calibration performed

with the capsule-type SPRTs at the zinc point will not be of as high quality

as is obtained with the long-stem SPRTs. Instead, the thermometer constant B is assumed on the basis of the values of B for other SPRTs calibrated at NBS

during the past few years.

II.6.C.2.1. Calibration at the triple point of water and freezing point of

tin

.

A table will be furnished with entries at 1 °C intervals between -50 and

+250 °C.

II. 6. c. 2. 2. Calibration at the triple point of water, freezing point of tin

and normal boiling point of oxygen.

A table will be furnished with entries at 1 °C intervals between -I83

and +250 °C.

II. 6. c. 2. 3. Calibration at the water triple point, the tin point and a comparison calibration between 13 K and 90 K.

A table will be furnished with entries at 0.1 K intervals between 13 K

and 90 K and at 1 K intervals between 90 K and 600 K.

II.6.C.3- Calibration reports.

The customer has a choice, as a part of the calibration service, as to

the form of the table for his thermometer. The argument (the temperature) can be °C, °F, or K. The function can be the resistance ratio R(t)/R(0 °C), the

resistance R(t), or the resistance difference R(t) - R(0 °C). For most

applications the resistance ratio R(t)/R(0 °C) versus temperature is

recommended. If no specific request is made, the table furnished for the

long-stem SPRT will be the resistance ratio R(t)/R(0 °C) versus temperature in

°C. The table furnished for the capsule-type SPRT will be the resistance in

ohms versus temperature in K whenever the comparison calibration between 13 K

and 90 K is requested; otherwise, the table furnished will be the resistance

ratio R(t)/R(0 °C) versus temperature in °C.

8
II. 6.0.^. Non-standard platinum resistance thermometers

A very special configuration of platinum resistance thermometer may be

desired for certain applications. For the calibration of such thermometers,

the user may contact the NBS concerning the possibility of a calibration at

NBS or advice on the calibration of the thermometers in the user's laboratory

employing an SPRT that has been calibrated at the NBS. The information on dimensions and wiring configuration should be furnished with the inquiry. If

the calibration can be performed at NBS, the fee for the special calibration

must be furnished.

C al or i met r i c- type platinum resistance thermometers which have the

resistance element wound on a flat mica sheet and sandwiched between two other

mica sheets and then inserted into a flattened tube, do not meet the

specifications of the IPTS-68(75). A calibration of these thermometers may be

furnished by NBS through special arrangement.

II. 6. d. Shipment of SPRT to NBS for calibration.

II.6.d.1. Direct shipments of SPRTs by common carrier to the attention of:

Temperature and Pressure Division

804, Physics Building

National Bureau of Standards

Route 270 and Quince Orchard Road

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

II.6.d.2. Packing SPRT for shipment

Precautions should be taken to protect the SPRT from mechanical shock

that would alter its calibration. In shipment, the SPRT must be softly

supported within a rigid case but must not be free to "rattle" within the

case. The packing material must, therefore, be resilient and not become

compacted. An outer case must be sufficiently rigid and strong to withstand

the treatment usually given by shippers. Styrofoam is not sufficiently rigid

to be used as an outer case. The SPRTs will not be returned in containers

that are obviously unsuitable, such as those closed by nailing; a wooden box

should be closed with screws. Suitable containers will be provided, for a fee, whenever the SPRT shipping container is not satisfactory for re-use. The

9
user shall assume the reponsibllity of instructing his ship p ing dep artment

concerning packaging and the desired carrier for shipping his SPRT.

II. 7. NBS Contacts

Direct inquiries to the attention of: William Bigge, Temperature and

Pressure Division, PHY 804, National Bureau of Standards, Gai thersburg , MD

20899. Telephone: 301-975-4823.

10
Table II. 1

.

Tabulation of Services

33020C

3301 OC

Long Stem PRT

Long Stem PRT -50 °C to 500 °C or 630 °C

183 °C to 500 °C or 63O °C

33030c Calorimetric-type PRT -50 °C to 150 °C

330^100 Capsule-type PRT 13 K to 600 K

33050c Capsule-type PRT (including mounting) -I83 °C to 300 °C

33070c Additional copy of table from results from 3301 OC to

33050c at time of test

3308OC Additional copy of table from results from 3301OC to

33050c at later date.

33090c Minimum charge for suitable thermometer

33110s Comparison of thermometric fixed-point devices

331 20M PRT Measurement Assurance Program (MAP)

Special requirements for testing should be discussed with the NBS

staff indicated in Sections II. 7.

11
Table II. 2. Estimated standard deviations (S.D.)(la) of values of W (and

their equivalents in temperature, t) of some platinum resistance

thermometers at the temperature fixed points.

W(Zn) W(Sn) W(0 ) SPRT

S.D. of W S.D. of t S.D. of W S.D. of t S.D. of W S.D. of t

(x 10~^) (mK) (x 10'^) (mK) (x 10~^) (mK)

A(6)^ 230 0.66 165 0.^6 142 0.33

B(8) 150 .43 76 .21 55 .13

C(8) 308 .88 184 .51 55 .13

D(5) 109 .31 73 .20 60 .14

Pooled^

S.D. 222 .64 138 .38 83 .19

E(7) 261 .75 92 .25 98 .23

Pooled

S.D, 231 .66 129 .36 86 .20

Check

SPRT 99 .28 110 .30 71 .16

^umbers in parentheses indicate the number of calibrations.

Pooled standard deviation, S^, is defined by the relation

1 /2

r(n^-l)S^ + (n^-DS^ + ... + (n^^ - DS^-,

S = P "1 ^ "2

^ + n, - k

k

'Pooled standard deviation, S.D., of SPRTs A, B, C, D, and E.

W(Zn) was observed with check SPRT 200, W(Sn) with check SPRT 199, and

W(0 ) with check SPRT 250.

12

Figure II. 1. The error at various temperatures propagated from errors made in

the calibration of a platinum resistance thermometer. The curves show

the error [i.e., departure from the IPTS-68(75)] in values of

temperatures caused by a unit positive (hotter) error in realizing the

temperature (hotness) of one given calibration point. The calibration at

the triple point of water is assumed to have been made without error.

The fixed point at which the error was made is indicated on the curve.

The error curve depends not only upon the particular fixed point at which

the error occurred, but also upon which other fixed points above 0 °C

were employed in the calibration. The calibration at the other fixed

point above 0 °C, indicated in parenthesis, is assumed to have been

performed without error. A calibration error at the oxygen normal

boiling point does not introduce an error in the measured values of

temperature above 0 °C. The first derivatives of the ZINC(TIN) curve amd

the TIN(ZINC) curve are not continuous through 0 °C. The curve marked

shows the error that would be introduced if the experimenter makes a unit positive error in realizing the temperature (hotness) of 0 °C and

then calculates the value of a temperature from the value of

R(t)/R(0 °C).

14
ERROR IN DEGREES PER DEGREE ERROR IN CALIBRATION

OJ ro — o —

ui 4i» OJ ro

15
III. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY AND THEORY

III.1. Specifications of SPRTs

III . 1 . a . Limi ts of a The IPTS-68(75)'' is based on the assigned values of the temperatures of

a number of reproducible equilibrium states (defining fixed points) and on standard instruments calibrated at those temperatures. Interpolation between

the fixed-point temperatures is provided by specified formulae used to

establish the relation between indications of the standard instruments and

values of international practical temperature.

The defining fixed points are realized by establishing specified

equilibrium states between phases of pure substances. These equilibrium

states and the values of the international practical temperature assigned to

them are given in Table III.1.

The standard instrument used from 13.81 K to 630.7^ °C is the platinum

5 resistance thermometer. The platinum resistor must be strain-free, annealed

pure platinum. The resistance ratio W(T,o), defined by DO

W(T^g) = R(T^g)/R(273.15 K) (III.1)

where R(Tgg) is the resistance at a temperature T^g, must not be less than

1.39250 at T^g = 373.15 K (t^g = 100 °C). This means that a, defined as

a = [W(100 °C)-1]/100 °C, must not be less than 0.0039250 °C~\ Below 0 °C,

the resi stance- temperature relationship of the thermometer is found from a reference function and specified deviation equations. From 0 °C to 630.74 °C,

two polynomial equations provide the resi stance- temperature relationship.

The standard instrument used from 630.74 °C to 1064.43 °C is the

pi at i num- 1 05^ r hodi urn/ pi at i num thermocouple, the electromotive forcetemperature relation of which is represented by a quadratic equation.

Above 1337.58 K (1064.43 °C), the lPTS-68(75) is defined by the Planck

law of radiation with 1337.58 K as the reference temperature and a value of

0.014 388 meter-kelvin for c^.^

16
Ill.l.b. Supplementary Information on SPRTs

The apparatus, methods and procedures described in this section

represent good practice at the present time.

An SPRT should be so designed and constructed that the f our- termi nal

resistance element is as free as possible from strain and will remain so in use. Satisfactory resistors have been made with platinum wires of uniform

diameter of between 0.05 and 0.5 mm and with at least a short portion of each

lead adjacent to the resistor also made of platinum. A commonly used value of

R(0 °C) is approximately 25 ohms and the measuring current for such a thermometer is normally 1 or 2 mA . All thermometer components in close

proximity to the resistor must be clean and non-reactive with platinum.

During fabrication, it is recommended that the thermometer be evacuated while

at about 450 °C and then filled with dry gas and hermetically sealed. It is

desirable to have oxygen present in the gas filling to ensure that trace

impurities in the platinum will remain in an oxidized state. After completion

of fabrication, the resistance element should be stabilized by heating it at a temperature higher than its intended maximum operating temperature, and in any case not lower than 450 °C.

The insulation resistance of the components supporting the resistance

element and leads must be high enough to avoid significant shunting of the

element. For example, care must be taken to avoid condensation of water vapor

between the leads at low temperatures, and intrinsic leakage in the insulators

themselves at high temperatures. The insulators are usually fabricated from

mica, silica or alumina and these materials normally give adequate intrinsic

insulation up to 500 °C. As the temperature approaches 630 °C, however, the

problem becomes more critical and errors of 1 mK or greater may easily occur.

In the case of mica, there is the additional difficulty that significant

amounts of water may be released from it during its exposure to temperatures

above 450 °C, and unless this moisture is removed by periodic pumping or by a desiccant, the insulation resistance will deteriorate rapidly.

To ensure adequate stability in the resistance and in the temperature

coefficients of resistance, the resistor of an SPRT should be maintained, as far as possible, in an annealed state. Added resistance may arise both from

the accidental cold working that results from normal thermometer handling and

17
also as a result of rapid cooling when a thermometer is transferred rapidly

from an environment above 500 °C to room temperature. This latter increase in

resistance is due to quenched-in, non-equilibrium concentrations of vacancy

defects and is retained as long as the thermometer remains below 200 °C. Much

of the cold-work and all of the quenched-in resistance may be removed by

annealing at 500 °C for 30 minutes.

7 Significant errors can be caused by radiation loss from the thermometer

by total reflection in the constructional components, particularly if these

are of silica. Such loss in the sheath, but not in the internal components,

can be suppressed by blackening the outer surface of the sheath (e.g., with a colloidal graphite suspension) or by sand-blasting the surface to produce a matt f inish. ^

'

The completed thermometer should be tested to establish that the depth

of immersion is sufficient to avoid heat conduction errors. An effective way

of doing this is to confirm that the apparent temperature gradient in a metal

freezing-point sample is in agreement with that to be expected from

hydrostatic effects.

For temperatures below 90 K, it is usual to use a small platinum

resistance thermometer, generally not larger than 5 mm in diameter and 60 mm

in length, that can be totally immersed in a uniform temperature zone, with

heat conduction down the leads being suppressed by attaching them to a suitable guard ring. In order to achieve good thermal contact between the

resistor and its surroundings, the resistor is contained in a thin sheath,

commonly of platinum about 0.25 mm thick, which is filled with helium.

A useful criterion by which the efficiency of the annealing and the

reliability of the thermometer may be judged is the constancy of its

resistance at a reference temperature. The temperatures of the triple point

of water (273.16 K) and the boiling point of helium (4.215 K) are commonly

used for this purpose. The first of these is convenient for most high

temperature thermometers, while the second is not only often conveniently

attained for thermometers built into cryogenic apparatus but has the

additional advantage that the resistance is relatively insensitive to

temperature variations. In practice it is found that variations of resistance

at the triple point of water for commercially produced high temperature

18
thermometers should not exceed 4x10 R(0 °C ) (equivalent to about 1 mK),

-7

and for the very best thermometers .will not exceed 5 x 10 R(0 °C) over a reasonable period of use when these are handled with extreme care. For

SPRTs used only at temperatures of 100 °C or lower, variations should not

exceed 5 x lo'''' R(0 °C)

.

The small temperature rise of the thermometers resulting from the

heating produced by the measuring current may be determined from measurements

made at two currents.

III. I.e. Equations describing resistance versus temperature relationships

III.l.c.l. Definition of the IPTS-68(75) in different temperature ranges

III. I.e. 1.1. The range from 13.81 K (-259.34 °C) to 273.15 K (0 °C)

From 13.81 K to 273-15 K the temperature T,o is defined by the relation

DO

where W(Tgg) is the resistance ratio of the platinum resistance thermometer,

AW.(T^o) are deviation functions, and W^^^ ^o(T^o) is the resistance ratio as .100 g OCi -DO DO

given by the reference function

20 In W .o(T..) + 3.28 j

T,, = I a. ( '''-^Q

] K (III. 3)

j=0 ^ 3.28

The coefficients a. of this reference function are tabulated in Table III. 2.

J The deviations AW.(T,o) at the temperatures of the defining fixed points are

1 DO

obtained from measured values of W(T^g) and the corresponding values of

W^^^ ,o(T.o)(see Tables III. 3 and III. 4). To find AW. (T.q) at intermediate

LLr-DO DO 1 DO

temperatures, interpolation formulae are used. The range between 13-81 K and

273.15 K is divided into four parts in each of which AW. (T,o) is defined by a

1 DO

polynomial in T^g. The constants in the polynomials are determined from the

values of AW.(T^o) at the fixed points and the condition that there shall be

1 DO

no discontinuity in dAW^ (T^g) /dT^g across the junctions of the temperature

ranges.^ Therefore, calculations of the coefficients must proceed downward

from 273-15 K.

From 273.15 K (0 °C) to 90.188 K (-182.962 °C) the deviation function is

19
''• AW^(T^g) = bj^(T^g-273- 15 K) + e^(T^g-273.15 K)^(T^g-373. 15 K) (III. 4)

where the constants are determined from the measured deviations at the

condensation point of oxygen (or the triple point of argon, see Note d, Table

Ill.l) and the boiling point of water

From 90.188 K (-182.962 °C) to 54.361 K (-218.789 °C) the deviation

function is

AWjCTj-g) = . 83X^3 . (III. 5)

where the constants are determined from the measured deviations at the triple

point and the condensation point of oxygen (or the triple point of argon, see

Note d, Table III.l) and from the requirement that the first derivatives of

the deviation functions AW,,(T,o) and AW_(T^o) should be equal at the

4 DO 3 DO

condensation point of oxygen.

From 54.361 K (-218.789 °C) to 20.28 K (-252.87 °C) the deviation

function is

AW^dgg) = * B^Tgg . C^T^g . D^T^g (111.6)

where the constants are determined from the measured deviations at the boiling

points of equilibrium hydrogen and neon and at the triple point of oxygen, and

from the requirement that the first derivatives of the deviation functions

AW_(T,o) and AW„(T^o) should be equal at the triple point of oxygen.

3 bo 2 DCS From 20.28 K (-252.87 °C) to 13.81 K (-259.34 °C) the deviation function

is

AH,(Tg3) = A, * B,T^g * C,4 . D,T3g (III. 7)

where the constants are determined from the measured deviations at the triple

point of equilibrium hydrogen, the fixed point at 17.042 K, and the boiling

point of equilibrium hydrogen, and from the requirement that the first

derivatives of the deviation functions AW^(T,o) and AW, (T^q) should be equal

d OO 1 DO

at the boiling point of equilibrium hydrogen.

20
III. I.e. 1.2. The range from 0 °C (273-15 K) to 630.74 °C (903.89 K)

From 0 °C to 630.74 °C the temperature t^g is defined by

^68 = ^' ^ [^^)(^^ _l) oc (III. 8)

where t' is defined by the equation

f .l[W(f * 6 (yjl^Kyj^ -1) (III.9a)

With W(t' )=R(t' )/R(0 °C). The constants R(0 °C), a and 6 are determined from

measurements of the resistance at the triple point of water, the boiling point

of water (or the freezing point of tin; see Note e, Table III.1), and the

freezing point of zinc.

Eq. (III. 9a) is equivalent to

W(t' ) = 1 + At' + Bt'^ (III. 9b)

-21 -2

where A = a(1 + 5/100 °C) and B = -10 a6 °C .

Ill.l.d. Analysis of the first derivatives at 0 °C of IPTS-68(75) platinum

resistance thermometer equations above and below 0 °C

The four specified deviation functions of the IPTS-68(75) in the

interval 13.81 K to 273. 15 K are formulated to join smoothly by constraining

the values of the first derivatives of the equations above and below each

point of joining to be identical at that point. The values of the first

derivatives of the equations for use with real SPRTs above and below 0 °C are not constrained to be equal at 0 °C, however. This discussion will show that

the magnitude of the difference is negligible for SPRTs that have suitable

thermometer constants. All SPRTs received at the NBS for calibration over

the past few years have had suitable constants.

The IPTS-68(75) reference function in Celsius

t= f a. [i^^-^^^^p^]^ - 273. 15 °C (III. 10)

21
was formulated such that its first and second derivatives would have the same

values at 0 °C as those obtained from

t = f + 0.045(|^)(|^ -l] °C (III. 8)

and

t' = -[W(t')-1] + 6 [^][^ -l) (III. 9a)

a s s

with thermometer constants

and

a = 3.9259668 x 10 ^ °C~^

6 = 1 .496334 °C.

(These values of a and 6 are the values given in the text of the IPTS-68(75)

and will, henceforth, be referred to as a* and 6*, respectively.) In

Eq. (III. 10) and in the reformulations of Eqs. (III. 8) and (III. 9a) as just

given, W* ( t ) = W^^^ /:o(t^o) and t = t.o (for convenience), s = 100 °C, LL i -DO DO DO

z = 419.58 °C, a = 630.74 °C, and W(t') = W(t) = R(t)/R(0 °C).

(T^g = t^g + 273.15). The second term of Eq. (III. 8) represents a "correction" to be made to the temperature value t' to obtain a temperature

value t that is a close approximation to the thermodynamic value. The values

t' and t represent the same temperature (hotness). For real SPRTs, the

derivative of the formulation between -182.962 °C and 0 °C is obtained from

the definition of the IPTS-68(75) in this temperature range

W(t) = W*(t) + AW^(t) (III. 11)

and the deviation function

AW^(t) = b^t + e^t^(t-IOO). (III. 12)

The constants of Eq. (III. 12) are determined from the deviations at the oxygen

point and the steam point. When differentiated with respect to t, there

results from Eqs. (III. 11) and (III. 12), respectively,

22
dt dt dt

and

dAW (t) — = + ^e^t (t-75). (III.U)

At 0 °C, differentiation of the reference function (Eq. (III. 10)) yields

r dWMt) ^ _ 3.28 _ J_ I ^ - 20 " (III. 15)

j=0 ^

1 20

(where = y-^g I ja^) and Eq. (III.U) yields

dAW.(t)

(-^t )^

= (111.16)

When Eqs. (III. 13), (III. 15), and (III. 16) are combined, there results

ri-^J dW(t) ^ 1 ^ K /TTT 1v^

= iT ^ (III. 17)

OB 1

where the subscript OB refers to the formulation below 0 °C. The constant b^

is obtained from the value of W(100 °C), i.e., from

W(100 °C) = 100a + 1 (III. 18)

and

W^dOO °C) = 100 a* + 1. (III. 19)

The value of a in Eq. (III. 18) can be obtained from measurements at the triple

point of water and the steam point or at the triple point of water, the tin

point, and the zinc point (a=[R(100 °C) - R(0 °C)]/(100 °C)R(0 °C)].

Combining equations (III. 18) and (III. 19) with Eq. (III. 12) (t=100 °C) there

results

23
= a - a*. (III. 20)

When Eq. (III. 17) and (III. 20) are combined,

(^) =i - a*. (III. 21)

' OB \

The derivative of the formulation between 0 °C and 630.74 °C is obtained

by differentiating Eq. (III. 8) and the equation

W(t' ) = 1 + At' + Bt'^ (III. 22)

There results, respectively.

0 0ilS ^ 2

1 +

; [4t'^ - 3(s+z+a)t' + 2(sz+sa+za)t' - sza], (III. 23)

dt

dt' ' 2 s za

and

^^irr^ = A + 2Bt' . (III.2iJ)

dt

Equation (III. 22) is equivalent to Eq. (III. 9a) with the thermometer constants

- i| -2

A = a(l+6/100 °C) and B = -10 a6 °C . At t = 0 °C, t' = 0°C, and

Eqs. (III. 23) and (III. 24) become respectively,

(^]^ = 1 - ^= 0-99955 (III. 25)

and

(^) - A. (III. 26)

0

Combining Eqs. (III. 25) and (III. 26)

r dW(t) ^ _

r dW(t) . r dt' ^ _ A , .

^ dt = ^ dt' ^dt ^ 0.99955 ' Uii.^n

where the subscript OA refers to the formulation above 0 °C.

24
By subtracting Eq. (III. 27) from Eq. (III.21), the difference in the

derivatives at 0 °C of the two formulations becomes

r dW(t) ^ r dW(t) i .fMill "I . * A .^^^

^"dt-^Qg - ^~5t-^Q^ = ^"^0 =

^ - - 0799955 • ^^^^-28)

From the relations

and

A = a(l + 6/100 °C) (III. 29)

-I] -2

B = -10 a5 °C (III. 30)

A* and B* are obtained by substituting a* and 6* for a and 6, respectively.

By substituting A* and B* in Eq.(III.22), differentiating, and combining with

Eq. (III. 23), there results

f^w^i = — (III 31) ^ dt ^OA 0.99955 ' vxiiou

an expression that is very similar to Eq. (III. 27). When Eq. (III. 31) is

compared with Eq. (III. 15) and because the two derivatives are equal, —1 A*

= . (III. 32) 0.99955 vmo^;

By substituting Eq. (III. 32) for 1/N^ in Eq. (III. 28), there results

,rdW(t)i . A* -A /TTToo^

^^^t-^0 = ^ - 0'* - 0799955 • (III. 33)

Although —]q can be evaluated from Eq. (III. 33), expressing A* and A in

terms of B* and B results in an equation that is simpler to evaluate.

Substitution of expression (III. 29) for A* and A and then of expression

(III. 30) for the a6 product results in

25
^dwai> ^ 0.000^5(a* - a)-100(B* - B) ^ dt ^0 0.99955 Uii.i^;

The a values of SPRTs calibrated at NBS in the past range between

3.925 X 10 ^ °C ^ and about 3-927 x 10 ^ °C~^ and the B values between

-5.872 X lo'''' °C~^ and -5.877 x lo"''' °C~^; both a* and B* are about the

— 6 — 1 average of the above limits. Therefore, a* - a is about ±1x10 °C and

- 1 0 -2

B - B* is about ± 2.5 x 10 °C . (Note that "100" is Eq. (III. 34) has the

unit °C associated with it.) When these values are substituted in

Eq. (III. 34)

A(^)„-3 X 10-8 ,^-1_ ,^^j^33j

This may be taken as the maximum expected discontinuity. Any variation of

this discontinuity is mostly dependent on the constant B. Inasmuch as

-3 -1 (dW(t)/dt)^ is about 4 x 10 °C , the relative discontinuity in the first

derivatives of the two formulations at 0 °C is expected to be less than

"6

8 X 10 . The discontinuity is negligible for most purposes.

III. I.e. Derivation of differential coefficients for the analysis of errors

in platinum resistance thermometry

This section deals with the propagation of errors in temperature

determinations that results from errors of calibration of an SPRT. The

differential coefficients (the rate of change of the values of temperature

with respect to the change of the resistance ratios, R(t)/R(0 °C), measured

for calibration) are derived for calibration measurements at the steam point,

tin point, zinc point, and oxygen normal boiling point (NBP).

The total error in the value of temperature that is obtained from

measurements employing an SPRT is the sum of the error introduced by the

calibration measurements and the error from the experimenter's own

measurements. The experimenter must determine his own observational error from a careful evaluation of his measurement techniques and he must know the

errors that may be introduced in the values of temperature caused by possible

errors in the thermometer calibration measurements at the NBS. He must also

be aware of possible errors from an unknown change in the calibration.

26
The variation among SPRTs is yet another source of uncertainty; i.e.,

even though the measurements with SPRTs are made at the same temperature

(hotness), they do not yield exactly the same values of temperature. Some

11-17

data exist, but there are no systematic high-precision measurements on the intercomparison of SPRTs over their entire temperature range that employ

modern SPRTs and modern measuring equipment.

The errors of calibration at NBS may be separated into two types:

(1) errors in realizing the fixed points and (2) errors of measurements. The

total differential of t for an SPRT is given by

dt - I(|f ) dt.. dW. , (III. 36)

i i

where t^ = temperature of the defining fixed points, i.e., for this discussion

the oxygen NBP, the triple point of water, the steam point or the tin point,

and the zinc point. The refer to the measured resistance ratios

R(t^)/R(0 °C) corresponding to the fixed points. The dt^ or 6t^ refer to

variations in the fixed-point temperatures (hotness) realized experimentally,

e.g., the variation of the temperature of a tin-point cell. The ith

8

1

differential coefficient (r— ) represents the rate of change in the value of

a t

.

1 temperature with respect to a change in the ith fixed-point temperature

(hotness); the coefficients may be derived from the prescribed interpolation

formulae using the values of defining fixed-point temperatures. The

3

1

differential coefficients are temperature dependent, i.e., (•^^j = f(t).

i The dW.11or 6W. refer to variations in the resistance ratios, e.g., errors

in the measurements of the resistance ratio. The ith differential coefficient

3

1

(y^) represents the rate of change in the value of temperature with respect

to a change in the measured resistance ratio at the ith fixed point; the

coefficients are derived from the prescribed formulae that relate the

resistance ratio to the constants of the SPRT. Similar to f-r— ] . [t77~] is

d t . d W . 1 1 also temperature dependent.

Some limited investigations at the NBS on the realizations of the tin

point and the triple point of water indicate that these fixed points are reproducible to within ± 0.1 mK . Although this value was obtained by

27
employing a single thermometer over an interval of a f ew days in an attempt to

determine the error attributable to variations in the temperatures of the

fixed point cells, it includes both the variations in the temperature (6t^) of

many freezes in different cells and the variations in the measurements (6W^).

Over a period of several months, the irreproducibility of measurements on different SPRTs employing the same cell is estimat-ed to be about ± 0.2 mK

.

This value includes any variations in the temperature of the cell as well as the variations in the measurements. Thus, the errors of the realizations of

fixed-point temperatures and the errors of resistance measurements incurred

during calibration are difficult to separate. Therefore, the analysis of error propagation has been simplified by combining these two sources of error. This permits a simplification of Eq. (111. 36) and one obtains

dt = I (|f ) dW. . (III. 37)

i

In this expression, the change or error 6t^ in the value of temperature of Eq.

(III. 36) is represented by a corresponding change or error 6W^. At present,

the total uncertainty [which includes 6t^ and 6W^ of Eq. (III. 36)] of the

calibration measurements is estimated to be 2 or 3 mK at the oxygen NBP, 1 mK

at the tin point, and 1 mK at the zinc point.

3

1

The differential coefficients f":r77~] have been derived separately for two

1 ranges of temperature defined by the SPRT, the range 0 °C to 630.7^ °C and the

range -182.962 °C (90.188 K) to 0 °C (273.15 K). In the first range (0 °C to

630.74 °C), the coefficients have been derived for two types of calibration

measurements: (1) at the triple point of water, the steam point, and the zinc

point and (2) at the triple point of water, the tin point, and the zinc point.

In the second range, the differential coefficients have also been derived for

two types of calibration measurements: (1) at the oxygen NBP, the triple point

of water, and the steam point and (2) at the oxygen NBP, the triple point of

water, the tin point, and the zinc point.

^ orror 6t in the value of temperature that would arise from an error

6W^ ^ g to a positive unit temperature (hotness) was calculated as a function of the temperature employing the derived differential coefficients;

i.e., the function

28
6t - (§-) 6W.

1 (III. 38)

was evaluated as a function of the temperature. When the calibration error at

a particular fixed point was considered, the calibration measurements at the

other fixed points were taken to be correct. The following cases have been

calculated and plotted in Fig. 11.1.

(1) The range 0 °C to 630.74 °C

(a) calibration measurements made at the triple point of water, the

steam point, and the zinc point; calibration error occurring only at the steam

point or only at the zinc point.

(b) calibration measurements made at the triple point of water, the

tin point, and the zinc point; calibration error occurring only at the tin

point or only at the zinc point.

(2) The range -182.962 °C (90.188 K) to 0 °C (273-15 K)

(a) calibration measurements made at the oxygen NBP, the triple

point of water, and the steam point; calibration error occurring only at the

oxygen NBP or only at the steam point.

(b) calibration measurements made at the oxygen NBP, the triple

point of water, the tin point, and the zinc point; calibration error occurring

only at the oxygen NBP, or only at the tin point, or only at the zinc point.

In the range -182.962 °C to 0 °C, the calibration errors at the oxygen

NBP for the cases (2a) and (2b) yield the same temperature error 6t;

therefore, the analysis of only one of these cases is given.

As a separate analysis, the case of an error in the realization of the

triple point of water (or of 0 °C) by the experimenter has been calculated;

the calibration of the SPRT at NBS was considered perfect and an error of

resistance measurement 6R corresponding to a positive unit temperature at the

triple point of water (or at 0 °C) was considered to have been made by the

experimenter. The error 6R in the triple point of water (or 0 °C) measurements

was taken to be propagated in the determination of the resistance ratio

R(t)/R(0 °C). The results of this analysis are also plotted in Fig. II. 1. The following sections deal with the details of the derivation of the

differential coefficients that were employed to evaluate the temperature error function given by Eq. (III. 38) for the cases cited in the previous paragraphs.

29
In the discussion, the variations in the measurements at the fixed points will

be described in terms of the resistance ratio, W(t^) = R(t^)/R(0 °C), the

ratio of observed resistance at the fixed-point temperature t^ to that at

0 °C. The variations in W(t^) will be taken to be centered in R(t^).

Obviously, any error in R(0 °C) will be reflected in W(t^); thus, the present

discussion is also applicable to possible errors in the determination of

R(0 °C).

1 . 0 °C to 630.74 °C

From 0 °C to 630.74 °C, the temperature t on the IPTS-68(75) is defined

by

t = f ^ 0.045 -l) °C (III. 8)

and

t' = - [W(t') -0 + 6[ —][— -l) (III. 9a)

a s s

where

W(t:) = W(t.) = R(t.)/R(0 °C) (III. 39)

s = 100 °C, z = 419.58 °C, a = 630.74 °C, and t = t^g (for convenience). The

second term on the right side of Eq. (III. 8) will, henceforth, be defined as

M(t') = 0.045 [|^](|^ -0 °C (III. 40)

The function M(t') represents a correction to t' to obtain the temperature t that is a close approximation to the thermodynamic temperature. The values t!^ and t^, therefore, represent the same temperature (hotness) and R(tl^) = R(t^).

Also, Eq. (III. 9a) is equivalent to

W(t') =1 + At' + Bt'^ , (III. 9b)

30
where

A = a(1 + 6/100 °C) (III. 29)

and

= -10 ^a6 °C ^ (III. 30)

The constants of the IPTS-68(75) Eqs. (III. 9a) and (III. 9b) are

determined by measurements of the SPRT resistance at the triple point of

water, the steam point or the tin point, and the zinc point. To simplify the

symbols and terminology, the following definitions are made:

a)(t') = W(t') - 1 = At' + Bt'^ , (III. 41)

I.e.,

and

CO = W -1 = [R(100 °C)/R(0 °C)] - 1 (111.^42)

s s

00^ = - 1 = [R(231.9292 °C)/R(0 °C)] - 1, (III. 43)

0) = w - 1 = [R(419.58 °C)/R(0 °C)] - 1. (III. 44)

z z

The differential coefficients will be derived first for the SPRT

formulation with calibration measurements at the triple point of water, the

tin point, and the zinc point. The differential coefficients sought are

(|^) and (|^).

T Z

Because co is a function of t' , the conversion

must be made. From Eq. (III. 8),

31
|L. = T + 0^}^ [-^^,3 _ + 2 + a)t'^ + 2(sz + sa + za)f - sza]

s za

' = 1 (111.^6)

Equation (III. 46) will be employed to convert 9t'/3(jo to 3t/3(jo.

From Eq. (III.41 ) ,

^ 0)^ = At^ + Bt^^ (III. 47)

and

0) = At' + Bt'^, (III. 48)

z z z

where t^ is the defined tin-point temperature and t^ is the defined zinc-point

temperature. (According to the definition of the IPTS-68(75),

^68 ~ '^•^38937 and t^ = t^g ; henceforth, the "prime" symbol will not be

T z employed in the designation of a fixed-point temperature.) Solving for A and

B, there results

A = (a)„t^ - 0) ti)/t^t (t - t„). (III. 49) Tz zT Tzz T

and :.t _ v-•

B = (o) t„ - mt )/t^t (t - t^). (III. 50) zT Tz Tzz T

Substituting in Eq. (III. 41) for A and B, one obtains

2 2

(w-t - 00 t„) (oj t„ - a3„t ) „ „(t.) . [-1-2 2_L] t. * [-^ L^] f2. (III. 51)

3 1' 3 1

The differential coefficients [i:—) and —) are obtained by implicit

a a3_ a 03 T z differentiation of Eq. (III.5T); for Eq. (111.51) yields

32
t^t' - t t'^ [(a)^t^ - 0) t^) + 2(0) t„ - aa^t )t']

z z,do) + TzzT zTTz

dt' = 0 (III. 52)

t„tTzzT (t - t„) t„tTzzT (t - t„)

After transferring, Eq. (III. 52) becomes

3t' ^^'^^ " ^'^ ^= ^ ^

. (III. 53)

3co„ oo„t (2t' - t ) - 0) t^(2t' - t„)

i i z z z T T

9t * Similarly, to obtain —, the differentiation of Eq. (111.51) yields

z

t„t'^ - tjt' [(a)„t^ - CO tj) + 2(oj t^ - M t )t']

^do. 1^ ^-1 1-5 dt' = 0. (111.511)

z t„tTzzT (t - t„) t„tTzzT (t - t_,)

After transferring, Eq. (111.5^) becomes

at' ^T^'^^T " ^'^

= . (III. 55)

'^'^z 03 t^(2t' - t^) - o)„t (2t' - t ) z T T T z z

9 1 9

1

The desired differential coefficients -r— and -r— are obtained by combining

do3„ do)

T z Eqs . (III. 53) and (111.55), respectively, according to Eq. (III. 45), with

Eq. (111.46); there results,

.«itM] '^''"^ " (III. 56)

9o)„ dt' [o3„t (2t' - t ) - 0) t„(2t' - t„)]

T T z z z I I

and

t t ' ( t - t' ) 9^ r. , dM(t') n r

^ fTTT

9o) ^ dt' ^ [o) t„(2t' - t„) - o)^t (2t' - t )]

^111.

z z T T T z z

Equations (111.56) and (111.57) represent the rate of change of temperature t with respect to a change in ui^ and , respectively, at the temperature t'.

33
Although both equations (III. 56) and (III. 57) can be converted to terms of t by employing the relation given by Eq. (III. 8), the equations given are

simplier and more practical to use. After calculating dt/dw^ or 9t/3a3^ at t',

then t' can be converted to t according to Eq. (III. 8).

The error in the temperature t that results from an error in the

tin-point calibration is

dt

6t = l-p-). , 6aj„; (III. 58)

00)^ t' T

the error from the zinc point is

- z

Figure II. 1 shows the error that the experimenter would encounter for errors

of 6a)^ or 6a)^ corresponding to a unit positive error of temperature (hotness).

The temperature in t' has been converted to t in the figure.

The derivation of the differential coefficients for the SPRT formulation

with calibration measurements at the triple point of water, steam point, and

zinc point follows the same procedures outlined above. The final equations

may be obtained directly by substituting oj^ for oo^ and t^ for t^ in

Eqs. (III. 56) and (III. 57); the results are

9t_ ^ , dM(t'

)

1 ^z^ ^^z ^

^

, . . 303 ^ dt' ^ [o3 t (2f - t ) - 03 t (2t' - t )]

^111. Du;

s . s z z z s s

and

t t ' ( t - t' ) 3^ r^^dMltMi !s^i!s

3o3 ^ dt' [o3 t (2t' - t ) - 0) t (2t' - t )]

^111. Du

z z s s s z z

The errors in the temperature t that result from the errors in the calibration

at the steam point and the zinc point are given by

34
and

Figure II. 1 shows the error that the experimenter would encounter for errors of 6a) an(

s (hotness)

.

of 6a) and 6aj corresponding to a unit positive error of temperature

S 2

2. 90.188 K (-182.962 °C) to 273-15 K (0 °C)

From -182.962 °C to 0 °C, the temperature t on the IPTS-68(75) is defined

by the relation

W(t) = W*(t) + AW^(t), (III. 11)

where

W(t) = R(t)/R(0 °C), (III. 64)

and W*(t) is the resistance ratio given by the reference function in Celsius

20

t= I a.[ ^" ^'^^^ 3.28 jJ _ ^^3^^^ „^ (III. 10)

j=0 ^ 3.28

From Eq. (III. 10)

6t = (9t/9W*(t)]6W*(t) , (III. 65)

and from Eq. ( III. 1 1

)

6W*(t) = -6AW^(t). (III. 66)

35
The experimenter must determine his observational error 6W(t). The deviation

AW^(t) is represented (in this temperature range and at 100 °C) by the

function

AW^(t) = bj^t + e^t^(t - 100 °C), (III. 67)

and the constants of the deviation equation are determined from the

calibration measurements at the oxygen NBP, triple point of water, and the

steam point. The deviation at 100 °C, AW(100 °C), may also be obtained from

the calculated W(100 °C) based on the calibration of the SPRT at the triple

point of water, the tin point, and the zinc point. The differential

coefficients will be derived for both cases.

For convenience, the symbols and terminologies used in the text of the

IPTS-68(75) have been abbreviated again as follows:

t = t^g (III. 68)

W*(t) = W^^^_^3 (t^g), (III. 69)

and

W(t) = W(t^Q), (III. 70)

AW(t) = AW(t^g). (III. 71

)

In addition, the temperatures of the fixed points will be indicated as:

t^ = oxygen NBP,

tg = steam point,

t^ = tin point (t^ = t^g - 0.038937 °C),

and

t = zinc point

z

and the deviations AW(t) at the fixed points will be indicated as

36
AWq = Wq - W* (deviation at the oxygen NBP) (III. 72)

AW = W - W* (deviation at the steam point). (III. 73) 3 3 S

When the deviations at the oxygen NBP and the steam point are applied to

Eq. (III. 67), there results

^^0 = ^^0 " ^^O^S (III. 74)

AWg = b^tg + ^n^l'^^s

~ (III. 75)

(For simplification, the °C unit after 100 is deleted in some of the

equations from (III. 74) through (III.81).

The expressions for and e^ become

AW t^(t^ - 100) - AW^t^(t - 100)

b, = " ° Q ^111-76)

Vo^^O - - ^O^s^^s - ^0°)

and

AW^t - AW t^ Os sO e. = r (III. 77)

t t^(t- - 100) - t-t^(t - 100)

s 0 0 0 s s

The differential coefficients (-^tt;""] and (-4t7;~~] are obtained by dAW_ 3AW

0 s differentiation after combining Eqs . (III. 76) and (III. 77) with Eq. (III. 67);

there results

-tt^(t^ - 100) + t t^(t - 100)

0 ^s^O^^O - - ^O^s^^s

-

When t = 100 °C is substituted in expression (III. 78), one obtains

3

9AW(t) ^ t^(t - 100) ^jj^

8AWq t3(tQ - 100)

37
For 8AW(t)/3AWg,

tt^(t- - 100) - t-t^(t - 100)

^f^=-V (III. 80)

. "^^"^s t tht^ - 100) - t^t^(t - 100)

s 0 0 0 s s

and when = 100 °C is substituted wherever simplification can be made,

:iAur^^ t [t^(t- - 100) - t^(t - 100)] 9AWlt)= 0_0 (j^^^Q^)

^^^s t t2(t, - 100)

s 0 0

Figure II. 1 shows the error the experimenter would encounter for calibration

errors of 6AWq or 6AW^ corresponding to a unit positive error of temperature.

If the tin and zinc point calibrations are used, Eqs. (III. 76) and

(III. 77) must be modified. Expressing W and W* of Eq. (III. 73) in the form

s s of Eq. (III. 9b), one obtains

AW = (A - A*)t + (B - B*)t^, (III. 82)

s s s

where

A* = a*(1 + 6*/100 °C) (III. 83)

and

... B* = - 10~^a*6* °C~^, (111.8^1)

where a* (3-9259668 x 10~^/ °C) and 6* (1.^9633^ °C) are the constants of the

IPTS-68(75) reference function above 0 °C. The constants A and B are

determined from calibration measurements at the tin and zinc points. By

introducing the expressions for A and B from Eqs. (III. 49) and (III. 50) in

Eq. (III. 82), there results

38
2 2

-a ' [tVTF-¥y - *«1 '3 ^ [ y^t -V) - B'] tf. (111.85, TzzT TzzT

Equation (III. 85) is then substituted for AW in Eqs. (III. 76) and (III. 77).

The Eq. (III. 78) for the differential coefficient of aAW(t)/3AWQ remains

unchanged. Because the true value of AW is independent of whether the

s calibration is at the steam point or at the tin and zinc points, the error

function OAW(t )/3AWq )6AWq for the case (2b) will be the same as that for case

(2a) with the steam-point calibration.

Instead of substituting Eq. (III. 85) in Eqs. (III. 76) and (III. 77) and

performing a long algebraic manipulation, the total derivative of AW can be

s obtained in terms of aj„ and co , i.e.,

T z

9AW 9AW

dAW = [-—-] dGo„ + [t—^) cioo (III. 86)

1 z

Expression (III. 86) is employed to obtain 6AW , i.e.,

s

3AW aAW

T z

and the error function [ M 6AW is then evaluated as

^ 3AW s

s

^An^v^ 9AW^

9^W(t) = f^sZr^^ ^"t * ^d^^ ^'"z^-

(III. 88)

The coefficient is given by Eq. (III. 81) with Eq. (III. 85) substituted

o A W

^ 3AW SAW

s s for AW . The differential coefficients and -r are obtained from

S d(ja„ du) T z Eq. (III. 85). Thus,

2 2

3AW t t t t S Z S Z S , J J J qq\

303^ " t^t (t - t_,) t_,t (t - t^) ' viii.o^;

T T z z 1 1 z z 1

39
which simplifies to

3AW t (t - t ) s s z s , ,

- i I Z T

9AW

3

For -r , Eq. (III. 85) becomes

z

s

^ T_s ^ 1^

3oo t„t (t - t„) t„t (t - t„) ' ^111.

z Tzz T Tzz T

which simplifies to

3AW t (t - t„

s s s T

(III. 92)

3oj t (t - t^)

• z z z T

Combining Eqs . (III. 90) and (III. 92) with Eq. (III. 88), one obtains

t (t - t ) t (t - t„)

. 3AW(t

)

r s z s . _^ s s T ]

, , ^^^^^^ = 3AVr- ^ ft - t^) ^'^T "

t (t - t,) '^z^ ^"^'^3)

s T z T z z T

Figure II. 1 shows the error the experimenter would encounter for errors of 6(jo^ or 6a)^ corresponding to a positive unit error of temperature.

III. 2 Primary Standards (SPRTs) Designs and Construction

This discussion is primarily directed toward thermometers that are

suitable as defining standards on the IPTS-68(75); however, many of the

techniques described are applicable to any resistance thermometer. To be

suitable as an SPRT as described in the text of the scale, the resistor must

be made of platinum of sufficient purity that the finished thermometer will

have a value of R(100 °C)/R(0 °C) not less than 1.3925 or an a, defined as [R(100 °C) - R(0 °C)]/100R(0 °C), not less than 0.003925 ° C~ \ This

requirement is not unreasonable since platinum wire of sufficient purity to

yield the above ratio is now produced in several countries. Also, this

requirement provides a scale that is closely bounded. The typical SPRT has an

40
ice-point resistance of about 25.5 ^ and its resistor is wound from about

61 cm of 0.075 mm diameter wire. The wire is obtained "hard drawn", as it is

somewhat easier to handle in this condition, but it is annealed after the

resistor is formed. Although wires between 0.013 mfn and 0.13 mm diameter are commonly used in industrial platinum thermometers, experience shows that the

smaller-diameter wires tend to have lower values of R(100 °C)/R(0 °C)

(implying the presence of more impurities or strains).

The insulation material that supports the resistor and its leads must not

contaminate the platinum during the annealing of the assembled thermometer nor when subjected for extended periods of time to temperatures to which the

thermometer is normally exposed. The insulation resistance between the leads

9

must be greater than 5 x 10 Q at 500 °C if the error introduced by insulation

leakage in the leads of a 25-^ thermometer is to be less than the equivalent

of 1 \iQ. For SPRTs, the most commonly used insulation is mica. The primary

difficulties in the use of mica are the evolution of water vapor at high

temperatures and the presence of an iron oxide impurity which, if reduced,

leaves free iron that will contaminate the platinum. The most common mica is

muscovite ( H^KAl ^ ( SiO^

) ^ )

, sometimes called India or ruby mica; upon

decomposition, about 5 percent of its weight is released as water. The

decomposition to form water starts at approximately 5^0 °C and not only

causes mechanical deterioration of the mica but supplies free water vapor that

reduces the insulation resistance. Phlogopite mica ( H^KMg^Al ( S iO^

) ^ ) or "amber" mica is used for thermometers that are expected to function up to

630 °C. Although the room temperature resistivity of phlogopite mica is

slightly lower than that of muscovite, it does not begin to decompose until

well above 700 °C.

Some designs employ very high-purity alumina or synthetic sapphire

insulation (see Fig. I1I.1). Fused silica has also been used. Although the

properties of these materials are superior to mica at high temperatures, the

materials are more difficult to fabricate and, additionally, they must be of

very high purity because migration of impurities and the consequent

contamination occurs much more easily at high temperatures. In cutting either

mica or alumina, great care must be taken to avoid or eliminate traces of

metal that originate from either the cutting tool or from the metal clamps

41
that are used to support the insulation during machining. A "carbide tipped"

tool should be used for the cutting process. Unfortunately, attempts to

remove the metal chemically from the mica result in contaminating the mica.

Synthetic sapphire, however, can be chemically cleaned after machining.

The configuration of the resistor is inevitably the result of compromise

between conflicting requirements. The resistor must be free to expand and

contract without constraint from its support. This characteristic is the so- called "strain-free" construction. If the platinum wire were not free to

expand, the resistance of the platinum would not only be a function of

temperature but would relate also to the strain that would result from the

differential expansion of the platinum and its support. Five methods of

approach toward achieving " strai n- f ree" construction are illustrated in

Fig. 111.2. Because of the lack of adequate mechanical support, the wire in

each of these designs may be strained by acceleration, e.g., shock or vibration. The thermal contact of the resistor with the protecting envelope

or sheath is primarily through gas which, even if the gas is mostly helium, is

obviously poor compared to the thermal contact that is possible through many

solid materials. This poor thermal contact increases the self-heating effect

and the response time of the thermometer. The designs shown in Figs. 111.2(a)

and 111.2(b) suffer less in these respects than do the others. On the other

hand, for calorimetric work the instrument of the lowest heat capacity is

pref erred

.

The sensing elements of all SPRTs have four leads (see Fig. III. 2). The

four leads define the resistor precisely by permitting measurements that

eliminate the effect of the resistance of the leads. The resistor winding is

usually "noninducti ve" , often bifilar, but occasionally other configurations

that tend to minimize inductance are used. This reduces the pick-up of stray

fields and usually improves the performance of the thermometer in ac circuits

(if the resistor is to be measured using ac techniques, the electrical time

constant, i.e., reactive component, should be minimized.)

Because the junction of the leads is electrically a part of the measured

resistor, the leads extending immediately from the resistor must also be of

high-purity platinum; the lengths of these leads are often as short as 8 mm. Either gold or platinum wire is employed in continuing these leads within the

42
thermometer. Gold does not seem to contaminate the platinum and is easily

worked. Measurement of the resistor. may be facilitated if the four leads are

made of the same material with the four leads having the same lengths and

diameters so that the leads have about equal resistances at any temperature

within the temperature range of the thermometer. This statement is also

applicable to the leads that are external to the protecting envelope.

Figure III. 3 shows the arrangement of thermometer leads near the head of three

SPRTs.

The hermetic seal through the soft glass envelope at the thermometer head

is frequently made using short lengths of tungsten wire, to the ends of which

platinum lead wires are welded. The external platinum leads are soft soldered

to copper leads that are mechanically secured to the head. For do

measurements, satisfactory external copper leads can be made from commercially

available cable. The cable consists of twelve wires (No. 26 AWG solid bare

copper wire) each insulated with double silk windings; additionally, another

double silk wrapping encloses each group of three insulated wires. A double

silk braid and a tight, waterproof, polyvinyl coating cover the entire four

groups. After the appropriate end insulation is removed, the ends of the

three wires in each group are twisted together to form a lead to which a lug

is soldered. Stranded leads which do not have individually insulated strands

should not be used, as the breakage of a single strand may cause "noise" in

the resistance thermometer circuits which is difficult to locate and

eliminate. The leads external to small capsule-type thermometers are usually

solid copper wires, although wires of other materials such as manganin are sometimes used; the leads to the thermometer must be placed in good thermal

contact with the system to be measured by the capsule thermometer.

III. 2. a. Long-stem PRTs

The designs of the platinum coils of some long-stem PRTs are indicated in

Fig. III. 2.

III.2.b. Capsule-type PRTs

The platinum sensing elements of capsule-type PRTs are constructed in the same manner as those for the long-stem PRTs. The dimensions of the overall

43
thermometer are different, however. Figure III. 4 shows two designs of the

capsule- type PRT.

III. 3. Industrial PRT (IPRT) Designs

There are many different designs for the industrial platinum resistance

thermometer (IPRT). The design for a given IPRT is chosen for a particular

application and it may not be suitable for other types of applications. Some

typical IPRTs are indicated in Figures III. 5 through III. 12.

44
Table III.1. Defining fixed points of the IPTS-68(75)'

Equilibrium state

Assigned value of

International Practical

Temperature

Equilibrium between the solid, liquid and vapor phases

of equilibrium hydrogen (triple point of equilibrium

hydrogen

)

1 3. 81 -259 34

Equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases of

equilibrium hydrogen at a pressure of 33 33C

(25/76 standard atmosphere) ' 1.6 Pa

17. 042 -256 1 08

Equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases of

equilibrium hvdroeen (boiline point of

equilibrium hydrogen) * 20

.

28 87

Equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases of

neon (boiling point of neon)^ 27

.

1 02 -246. 048

Equilibrium between the solid, liquid and vapor phases

of oxygen (triple point of oxygen) 54 . 361 -21 8

.

789

Equilibrium between the solid, liqui^ and vapor phases

of argon (triple point of argon) 83. 798 -1 89

Equilibrium between the liquid and vapor ghgses of

oxygen (condensation point of oxygen) ' 90

.

1 88 -182. 962

Equilibrium between the solid, liquid and vapor phases

of water (triple point of water) 273. 16 0. 01

Equilibrium between the liquid and vapor phases of

water (boiling point of water) 373. 15 100

Equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases of

tin (freezing point of tin) 505. 1 181 231

.

9681

Equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases of

zinc (freezing point of zinc) 692. 73 41 9. 58

Equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases of

silver (freezing point of silver) 1235. 08 961 . 93

Equilibrium between the solid and liquid phases of

gold (freezing point of gold) 1337. 58 1064. 43

Except for the triple points and one equilibrium hydrogen point (17.042 K), the

assigned values of temperature are for equilibrium states at a pressure P =101 325 Pa

(1 standard atmosphere). In those cases where differing isotopic abundances could

significantly affect the fixed-point temperature, the abundances specified must be

used

.

The term equilibrium hydrogen is defined as the equilibrium ortho-para composition at

the relevant temperature.

'Fractionation of isotopes or impurities dictates the use of boiling points (vanishingly

small vapor fraction) for hydrogen and neon, and condensation point (vanishingly small

liquid fraction) for oxygen.

The triple point of argon may be used as an alternative to the condensation point of

oxygen.

'The freezing point of tin (f = 231 .9292 °C) may be used as an alternative to the

boiling point of water.

45
Table III. 2. Coefficients a. of the reference function for

J Platinum resistance thermometers for the range from 13. 81 K

to 273.15 K

j a.

J

j a

.

J

0 38.592 76 10 239.502 85

1 43.4i|8 37 1

1

524.649 44

2 39.108 87 12 -319.799 81

3 38.693 52 13 -787.606 86

^ 32.568 83 14 179.547 82

5 2^.701 58 15 700.428 32

6 53.038 28 16 29.486 66

7 77.357 67 17 -335.243 78

8 -95.751 03 18 -77.256 60

9 -223.528 92 19 66.762 92

20 24. 449 1

1

46
Table III. 3. Values of W^^„ roC^ra) , according to the data given

LLl -DO DO

in Table III. 2, at the fixed-point temperatures.

Fixed point T^q(K) tgQ(°C) W^^^.^g

e-H^ triple 13. 81 -259. 34 0.001 412 08

e-H^ 17.042 K 17. 042 -256. 108 0.002 534 45

e-H^ boiling 20. 28 -252. 87 0.004 485 17

Ne boiling 27. 102 -246. 048 0.01 2 21 2 72

0^ triple 54. 361 -218. 789 0.091 972 53

Ar triple 83. 798 -189. 352 0.21 6 057 05

©2 condensation 90. 188 -1 82. 962 0.243 799 12

H^O freezing 273. 15 0 1 H^O boiling 373. 15 ICQ 1 .392 596 68

At T,„ = 373.1 5 K the value of W^^^ coC^cn) is defined to be

DO LLi-DO DO

1.392 596 68. At T,q = 273.15 K the reference function W^_„ .ai^rn)

DO CCi-DO DO

and its first and second derivatives have, respectively, the same values as the function W(t^o), defined by Eqs . (III. 8) and (III. 9)

-3^^ -1 for a = 3.925 966 8 x 1 0

^ °C and 6 = 1.496 334 °C, and its first

and second derivatives.

A tabulation of this reference function, sufficiently detailed

to allow linear interpolation to an uncertainty of $ 0.1 mK, is

available from the Bureau International des Poids et Mesures,

F-92310 Sevres, France. A skeleton tabulation appears in this text

as Table III. 4.

47
Table III. 4. Values of W

values of T^„.

CCT-(

(T^g) according to Equation (III. 3; at inteeral

68 CCT-DO 68 68 CCT-68 58 68

W (

T

CCT-68 68

13 0.001 23063 56 0.09842337 99 0.281 97988

^^ 0.00145974 57 0.1 0240777 100 0.28630204

15 0.00174542 •-- 58 0. 10642583 101 0.290621 57

16 0.00209475 59 0.11 047506 102 0.29493840

17 0.00251 51

2

60 0.11 45531 5 103 0.29925243

18 0.00301429 61 0.1 1865789 104 0.30356360

19 0.00359962 , 62 0.1 2278720 105 0.307871 85

20 0.00427780 63 0.1 269301 4 106 0.31 217713

21 0.00505494 64 0. 1 31 1 1 1 86 107 0.31 647938

22 0.00593668 65 0.1 3530364 108 0.32077858

23 0.00692805 66 0.1 3951 287 109 0.32507468

24 O.OO803315 67 0.1 4373804 110 0.32936766

25 0.00925505 68 0.1 4797772 1 1 1 0.33365750

26 0.01059585 69 0.1 5223060 112 0.33794418

27 0.01205690 70 0. 15649543 1

1 3 0.34222769

28 0.01 363902 71 0.16077107 114 0.34650802

29 0.01 534262 72 0. 16505644 115 0.3507851

7

30 0.01 716767 73 0.16935052 116 0.35505914

31 0.01911364 74 0. 17365239 117 0.35932993

32 0.021 17946 75 0. 177961 1

7

118 0.36359755

33 0.02336345 "

76 0. 18227604 1 1 9 0.36786201

34 0.02566336 77 0.18659626 120 0.37212332

35 0.02807645 78 0. 190921 1

1

1 21 0. 376381 49

36 0.03059953 ' J 79 0.1 9524993 1 22 O.38O63654

37 0.03322913 . 80 0. 1 995821

3

1 23 0.38488849

38 0.03596158 81 0.20391 71

3

1 24 0.3891 3736

39 0.03879305 82 0. 20825441 1 25 0.39338317

40 0.041 71 969 . , - . 83 0.21259349 126 0.39762594

41 0.04473761 84 0.21 693390 1 27 0.401 86569

42 0.04784292 ' 85 0. 221 27523 128 0.4061 0245

43 0. 051 031 77 . • 86 0.22561 71

0

1 29 0.41 033625

44 0.05430035 87 0.2299591

5

1 30 0.41 45671

1

45 0.05764487 88 0.234301 04 1 31 0.41 879506

46 0.061 061 59 89 0.23864247 1 32 0. 4230201

3

47 0.06454682 90 0.2429831

7

133 0. 42724234

48 0.06809693 91 0.24732286 134 0. 431 461 73

49 0.071 70834 92 0.251 661 33 135 0.43567832

50 0.071 7O834 93 0.25599834 136 0.4398921

4

51 0.0791 01 22 94 0.26033369 137 0.44410322

52 0.08287595 95 0.26466722 138 0.44831 1 59

53 0.08669857 96 0.26899874 139 0. 45251 729

54 0.09056598 97 0.2733281

2

140 0.45672033

55 0.0944751

9

98 0. 27765520 141 0.46092075

(continued)

48
Table III. 4. (Continued) Values of W ( T ) CCT-68^ 68^

8

according to Equation

(Ill .3) at integral values of * 6

68 CCT-68 d8 60 ^n rT (^Q ^ Q LLi DO DO ' ^68"^* "cCT-68^68

1 42 0.4651 1 858 186 0.64763808 230 0.82682529

1 43 0.46931 385 187 0.651 74354 231 O.83O8656I

144 0.47350658 188 0.65584733 232 0.83490459

1 45 0.47769681 189 0.65994947 233 0.83894224

146 0.48188456 190 0.66404998 234 0.84297857

1 47 0.48606986 1 91 0.6681 4885 235 0.84701 357

148 0.49025274 1 92 0.67224610 236 0.851 04726

1 49 0.49443323 193 0.676341 74 237 0.85507964

1 50 0.49861 135 194 0.68043578 238 0,8591 1071

151 0.5027871 2 195 0.68452824 239 0.8631 4048

152 0.50696059 1 96 0.68861 91

1

240 0.86716895

153 0.51 1 13176 197 0.69270841 241 0.871 1 961

2

1 54 0.51530067 198 0.6967961

5

242 0.87522201

155 0.51 946734 199 O.7OO88234 243 0.87924661

156 0.523631 80 200 0.70496698 244 0.88326993

157 0.52779406 201 0.70905009 245 0.887291 97

158 0.531 9541 6 202 0.71 31 3167 246 0.891 31 273

159 0.5361 1 21

1

203 0.71 721 1 73 247 0.89533223

1 60 0.54026795 204 0.72129028 248 0.89935046

161 0.544421 68 205 0.72536732 249 0.90336742

162 0.54857333 206 0.72944287 250 0.9073831

3

163 0.55272293 207 0.73351 694 251 0.91 1 39757

164 0.55687049 208 0.73758952 252 0.91541077

1 65 0.56101 604 209 0.741 66063 253 0.91 942271

166 0.56515959 21 0 0.74573027 254 0.92343340

167 0.569301 1

6

21 1 0.74979846 255 0.92744285

168 0.57344078 212 0.75386519 256 0.931 45105

169 0.57757846 21 3 0.75793048 257 0.93545802

1 70 0.581 71 421 214 0.76199432 258 0.93946374

171 0.58584806 21 5 0.76605674 259 0.94346823

172 0.58998002 21 6 0.7701 1773 260 0.94747148

1 73 0.5941 1 01

2

21 7 0.7741 7730 261 0.951 47351

174 0.59823836 218 0.77823546 262 0.95547429

175 0.60236476 21 9 0.78229221 263 0.95947385

176 0.60648934 220 0.78634756 264 0.96347219

177 0.61061 21 2 221 0.790401 52 265 0.96746929

178 0.61 47331 0 222 0.79445409 266 0.971 46517

179 0.61 885230 223 0.79850527 267 0.97545982

180 0.62296974 224 0.80255508 268 0.97945325

181 0.62708543 225 0.80660351 269 0.98344545

182 0.631 1 9938 226 0.81065058 270 0.98743643

183 0.63531 1 61 227 0.81 469629 271 0.991 42618

184 0.6394221

3

228 0.81874064 272 0.99541 471

185 0.64353095 229 0.82278364 273 0.99940201

49
Figure III.l. Synthetic sapphire form for thermometer. Synthetic sapphire

disks are employed to keep the platinum wires separated in a "bird-cage"

type SPRT. A centrally located, heavier gage platinum wire maintains the

spacings between the disks.

50

Figure III. 2. Construction of the coils of some thermometers.

(a) Coiled filament on mica cross.

(b) Single layer filament on mica cross.

(c) Coiled filament on twisted glass ribbon.

(d) Coiled filament in glass U-tube.

(e) Single layer filament around twin-bore silica tubing.

52
53
TWO TWIN-BORE

SILICA TUBES

54
PLATINUM WIRE

STEATITE RING

PLATINUM WIRE

CEMENT

TWIN-BORE SILICA TUBE

PLATINUM WIRE

PLATINUM SHEATH

STEATITE RING

CEMENT

(e)

COIL

LENGTH

55
Figure III. 3- "Head" of SPRT. The upper head is that of a long-stem

thermometer. The internal leads are brought out through hermetic seals

and are connected to external copper leads at the left. The two bottom

PRTs are of the capsule type.

56
57
Figure III. 4. "Heads" of three SPRTs. In the center of the figure is a capsule-type SPRT with leads brought out through glass seals. The

capsule body is platinum. The bottom capsule-type SPRT shows the

thermometer leads brought out through individual metal-ceramic-metal type

seals. The capsule body is stainless steel.

58

Figure III. 5. Construction of the coils of some thermometers. Filament

threaded through four-hole ceramic tubes (Courtesy of the Rosemount

Engineering Company.)

60
61
Figure III. 6. Construction of the coils of some thermometers. Coiled

filament on helically groved ceramic. (Courtesy of the Minco Products,

Inc.)

62
63
Figure III. 7a. Example of an IPRT. Rosemount Model 132MC. (Courtesy of

Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

64
MODEL 132IVIC

PLATINUM RESISTANCE

TEMPERATURE SENSOR

PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2266

High temperature capability

Strain free element*

Hermetically sealed

i I

m4

General Description

The Model 132MC is a platinum resistance temperature sensor designed to operate from -65° C to +660°C. The sensing element changes resistance predictably and repeatedly with changes in temperature. The accuracy is assured by the strain free design of the sensing element and the purity (99.999%)

of the platinum element wire.

Model 132MC is intended to satisfy applications

where high temperature and ruggedness are

Important. The sensing element is hermetically sealed

in a preoxidized Inconel 600 sheath for temperature

and media compatibility.

Performance Specifications

TEMPERATURE RANGE

-65° C to +660° C. The connector is rated to +200° C. RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP

Each sensor will meet the resistance-temperature

relationship shown in the table to the tolerance

indicated. CALIBRATION

The sensor will be calibrated at 0°C accurate to 0.026°C. Additional calibration at 100°C, 200°C,

260° C, 370°C and 660°C is available. Calibration is traceable to NBS.

Rosemount •iiRosemount Inc.. T977

•U.S. Patent No. 3.694.789

65
Figure III. 7b. Dimensional drawing of IPRT of Fig. III. 7a. (Courtesy of

Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

66
Dimensional Drawing

0.250" DIA.

•X" ±0.05"

0.50" (MAX.)

SENSITIVE LENGTH (REF.

7/16 - 20 UNJF - 3A THREAD (REF.)

PER MS 33656 - 4

0.062" DIA. (2 PLACES)

IDENTIFICATION DATA

RECEPTACLE, 10 SHELL, 6 PIN PER MIL-- C - 83723/llA

o

o

o

o

o

o

A

Bc

D

E

F

SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Rosemount 3

67
Figure III. 8. Example of h i gh - s tab i 1 i ty IPRT. Rosemount Model 162N.

(Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

68
PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS

TEMPERATURE RANGE

-200° C to 400° C.

RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP

The Model 162N is calibrated using the same

equations used to define the International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968. The nominal resistance at 0°C is 100 ohms and varies from 16.8 ohms at -200°

C

to 250 ohms at 400° C. Appropriate calibration schedules are listed on the following page.

STABILITY

The temperature standard has a stability of better than 0. 1 ° C per year when operated in the temperature

range. When used in narrower spans of -50° C to +100°C, the stability is typically 0.01°C per year.

SELF-HEATING

The self-heating effect in a stirred ice bath is less than 35 m°C/mW. In 77°C water flowing transverse to the element at 3 ft/sec, the self-heating is less than 25 m°C/mW.

INSULATION RESISTANCE

The insulation resistance from the platinum resistor to the outside sheath is greater than 100 megohms at 100 VDC and room temperature.

PRESSURE RANGE

When used in the temperature range, the standards

will operate in a 0 to 1000 psia environment.

RESPONSE

The response of the standard is less than 1 second

when immersed in 76°C water moving at 3 feet per second from 20° C ambient air. Response is defined as the time required for the resistor to reach 63.2 percent

of a step change in temperature.

LEADWIRE TERMINATION

Two types of leadwire termination are available to choose from. See description and codes in the ordering information table. MARKING

The following information will be in the location shown:

Platinum Resistance Temperature Standard Model 162N Serial No

Rosemount Inc.

DIMENSIONAL DRAWING

Rosemount 3

69
Figure III. 9. Example of surface sensor type IPRT. Rosemount Model 118ME.

(Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

70
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2101

MIODEL 118ME

PLATINUM RESISTANCE

General purpose surface sensor

Rugged construction, small size

Strain-free element

1. SCOPE

The Model 118ME surface temperature sen- sor is designed to operate in the range -200°C

to +200°C. The sensing element is made of very

pure platinum wire fully annealed after mounting.

The element is a small coil of wire, firmly

anchored at the base of each turn (U. S. Patent

3, 114, 125) in good thermal contact with the base

of the sensor. With this coil design, element

strain due to differences in the expansion rate

of material is minimized. A layer of entrapped

air insulates the element from the top surface.

2. PERFORMANCE

SPECIFICATIONS

2.1 TEMPERATURE RANGE

The useful temperature range of Model

118ME is -200°C to +200°C.

2.2 ICE POINT RESISTANCE

Model 118ME is available with ice point resistances varying from 100 to 1000 ohms in 100 ohm increments. The ice point resistance is to be specified as a suffix to the basic model number (see "Design Specifications"). Unless other- wise specified, the ice point resistance toler- ance shall be ±2. 0%.

2.3 RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE

RELATIONSHIP

Each sensor shall meet the resistance-temperature relationship shown in Table 1 to the tolerance indicated. (For models other than 100 ohms, multiply resistance values by ice point

ratios. ) Different interchangeability tolerances are available (see price list options).

Rosemount
Figure III. 10a. Example of high-stability, limited range IPRT. Rosemount

Model 171. (Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

72
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2023 MODEL 171 SERIES

PRESSURE INSENSITIVE

TEMPERATURE SENSORS

Designed for precision ocean temperature measurement

Pressure insensitive to 3000 psia

Time constant of 310 /WS at 3 fps drop rate

GENERAL

Model 171 Series Platinum Resistance Temperature

Sensors fill the need for precision temperature measurement in oceanographic systems where low

cost and high accuracy are required.

Operating over the range of -2° C to +35° C from sea

level down to 7,000 feet, the sensor has an accuracy of 0.02° C including the RSS errors of calibration,

repeatability, stability and pressure.

DESCRIPTION

The sensing elements are made of high purity

platinum wire which is fully supported and mounted in ceramic insulation in a strain free manner.

Materials in contact with salt water are limited to Type 316 or 304 stainless steel, and TFE Teflon (style A

only.)

SPECIFICATIONS

1. Temperature Range. -2°C to +35° C.

2. Resistance-Temperature Relationship. This sensor shall meet the resistance-temperature

relationship shown in Table 1 within the indicated

interchangeability.

3. Calibration. The sensor shall be calibrated at 0°C

accurate to 0.01°C and 40°C accurate to 0.01°C. These calibration values shall be used to calculate the element resistances shown in Table 1.

4. Insulation Resistance. Within the range of-2°C

to +35°C, the insulation resistance between any lead and the case shall exceed 10 megohms when

measured at 100 VDC.

5. Self-Heating. In 20° C water flowing at 3 ft/sec transverse to the sensor, the self-heating error (I^R) shall be less than +0.005° C per milliamp excitation

current.

Rosemount
Figure III. 10b. Data and dimensional drawings of Rosemount Model 171 IPRT

shown in Fig. III. 10a. (Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

74
6. Pressure. This sensor shall withstand a pressure

of 10,000 psi, using water as the pressurizing medium,

(For reference: the error shall be less than 0.01 °C at 3000 psia.)

7. Repeatability. The sensor shall withstand 10 shocks between -2° C and +35° C without shifting cali- bration more than 0.01 °C.

8. Stability. Better than 0.01 °C for one year when

operated in the range of -2°C to +35° C under normal

conditions.

INDIVIDUAL TESTS

The sensor shall be examined for good workmanship, conformance to the drawing and shall undergo

the tests defined or implied by paragraphs 3, 4. and 6.

TABLE 1

RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE

RELATIONSHIP

Temperature Resistance Interchangeability

°C (Ohms) (±0) (±°C)

-2 91.91 0.2 0.54 0 92.65 0.2 0.54

5 94.49 0.2 0.54 10 96.33 0.2 0.54 15 98.17 0.2 0.54 20 100.00 0.2 0.55 25 101.83 0.2 0.55 30 103.66 0.2 0.55 35 105.48 0.2 0.55

-DIMENSIONAL DRAWINGSTYLE A

.160 DIA. MAX.

.6* (REF.)

IDENTIFICATION DATA

HOUSING, MODIFIED SWAGELOK'" «20I-A OR 316 S/16 - 24 UNF THO. (REF.)

EPOXY LEAD SEAl

LEADS, 26 GA COPPER, TEFLON'- SHEATHED (4)

.56 |REF,|

STYLE B

IDENTIFICATION DATA

,75* 00« DIA 002

3/8 DIA. HERMETIC HEADER, HERMETIC SEAL CORP., ROSEMEAD, CALIF (OR EOUIV.)

3:^5 ' XXr O.A.

109 DIA. THRU,

3 HOLES EQUALLY

SPACED ON A

.64S B.C.

Rosemount Inc. POST OFFICE BOX 35129 MINNEAPOLIS, IVIINNESOTA 55435 PHONE: (612) 941-5560 TWX: 910-576-3103 TELEX: 29-0183 CABLE: ROSEMOUNT @

12/1/69

75
Figure 1 1 1.11. Model of high-stability, limited range IPRT. Rosemount Model

171CG/EG. (Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

76
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2009

MODEL 171CG/EG

FAST RESPONSE

OCEANOGRAPHIC

TEMPERATURE SENSORS

Designed for precision ocean temperature measurement

Pressure insensitive down to 20,000 feet

Superior an ti-fouling option

Time constant of 60 MS at a 3 fps drop rate

SUPPORT TUBE GENERAL

The Model 171 Series Fast Response Platinum

Resistance Temperature Sensors fill the need for precision temperature measurement in oceanographic systems. Operating over the range of -5°C to +40^C from sea level down to 20,000 feet, the sensor has an accuracy of 0.02°C including the RSS

errors of calibration, repeatability, stability and

pressure. Fast time response enables the 171 to be combined with pressure and salinity measure- ments for optimum system performance.

DESCRIPTION

The sensing element is high purity platinum,

fully supported and annealed, encased within 0.020

inch diameter tubing as shown. This unique de- signing yields the exceptionally fast time constant

without sacrificing pressure insensiti vity. A pro- tective perforated tube shields the sensing element

from impact.

Material selection provides excellent saltwater

corrosion prevention. Model 171 EG is designed for a minimum of 18 months superior anti-fouling capability. Rosemount

ELEMENT WITHIN TUBE SENSING ELEMENT

SHOWN WITHOUT PROTECTIVE SHIELD

DESIGN AND PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

Temperature Range -5°C to +40° C.

Resistance-Temperature Relationship Each sensor shall meet the resistance-temperature relation- ship shown in Table 1 within the indicated inter- changeability.

Calibration The sensor shall be calibrated at 0°C accurate to 0.01°C and 40°C accurate to 0.01°C. These calibration values shall be used to calculate the element resistance in 1°C intervals between —5°C to +40°C. The results of this cali- bration shall be supplied in tabular form. Table 1 shows some typical points.

Copyright Rosemount Inc., 1975

77
Figure III. 12a. Example of miniature IPRT. Rosemount Model 146MB. (Courtesy

of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

78
PRODUCT DATA SHEET 2156 MODEL 146IVIB

PLATINUM RESISTANCE

TEMPERATURE SENSOR

Fluid or surface measurements

Miniature size (0.30" length)

High reliability

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The Model 146MB Surface Sensor is designed to operate from -260° C to +180° C. The sensing element

is manufactured of pure platinum wire mounted in ceramic insulation in a manner to ensure strain-free operation.

The sensor is suitable for use in any fluid or environment that is compatible with platinum and a ceramic composed of metal oxides. An organic coating

protects the sensing element from excessive moisture

absorption.

Model 146MB may be mounted by cementing,

clamping to a surface or.supported directly by its leads

in slow moving fluids. The leads should not be bent

nearer than 0.1 inch from the sensor. PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATIONS

TEMPERATURE RANGE

-260°C to +180°C. RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE RELATIONSHIP

Each sensor shall meet the resistance-temperature

relationship shown in the table to the tolerance

indicated Different interchangeability tolerances are

available (see price list options).

CALIBRATION

The sensor shall be calibrated at 0°C accurate to .016°C. Additional calibration at -268.95°C,

-195.87°C, -182.97°C and 100°C is available traceable to NBS. REPEATABILITY

The sensor resistance will repeat at any point over

the range within 0.10% of the temperature range over which the unit is cycled, or to 0.10°C, whichever is greater. INSULATION RESISTANCE

At room temperature with dry external surfaces, each sensor will be given an insulation resistance test while placed against a flat conductive plate. The

insulation resistance between any lead and the plate

shall exceed 10 megohms with 100 volts DC applied. TIME CONSTANT

The time required for 63.2 percent response of an unmounted sensor, to a step change in temperature from room temperature air to #200 Dow Corning 1.5 CTSK oil flowing transverse to the sensing surface at 3

fps and at 76±4°C is less than 0.5 seconds.

Rosemount © Rosemount Inc.. 1973

79
Figure III. 12b. Specifications for IPRT of Fig. III. 12a. Rosemount Model

146MB. (Courtesy of Rosemount Engineering Co., Inc.)

80
DIMENSIONAL DRAWING

MODEL 146MB

0.3" (MAX.)

-0.062" DIA. (MAX.)

METALLIC

OXIDE

/ /

I I

I

I

I I

I I

I I I.J n

1

1

1

1

1

1

.J UU

SCHEMATIC

DIAGRAM

0.075" DIA. (MAX.)

LEADS,

28 GA. COPPER,

TEFLON* INSULATED

RESISTANCE-TEMPERATURE

RELATIONSHIP TABLE

Temperature (°C) Resistance (Ohms)

-260.00 0.18 -240.00 2.52 -220.00 8.96 -200.00 17.29 -180.00 25.97 -160.00 34.59 -140.00 43.08 -120.00 51.45 -100.00 59.72 - 80.00 67.91 - 60.00 76.02 - 40.00 84.07 - 20.00 92.06

0.00* 100.00* 20.00 107.88 40.00 115.72 60.00 123.50 80.00 131.24 100.00 138.94 140.00 154.18

180.00 169.24

TEFLON is a DuPont trademark. Denotes physical calibration point, interchangeable

to ±0.5 ohms (±1.25° C).

SELF-HEATING

An unmounted sensor is capable of dissipating an

|2R power of 60 milliwatts with a temperature rise of

less than 1°C when submerged in #200 Dow Corning

1 .5 CTSK oil flowing transverse to the sensing surface

at 3 fps and at 25±5°C. VIBRATION

When the sensor and leads ^re firmly attached to a surface, the sensor shall withstand at least 50 g's peak

or 0.5 inch double amplitude in any axis when cycled from 20 to 2000 Hz over a 15 minute time interval. IDENTIFICATION

The sensor shipping container shall be labeled with the following minimum information: Rosemount Inc. Model 146MB

Serial No.

QUALITY ASSURANCE

REPAIR AND MAINTENANCE

The sensor is a non-repairable item and shall need

no maintenance during its useful life. Rosemount Inc.

INDIVIDUAL TESTS

Each sensor shall be examined for high quality

workmanship, conformance to the drawing, and shall undergo, the tests defined or implied in the paragraphs on Resistance-Temperature Relationship, Calibration and Insulation Resistance. Othertests will be proposed on request. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS

MODEL

146MB PLATINUM RESISTANCE TEMPERATURE SENSOR

CODE Ro (ICE-POINT RESISTANCE)

100O CODE LEADWIRE CONFIGURATION It

146MB 100 TYPICAL MODEL NUMBER

POST OFFICE BOX 35129 MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA 55435

PHONE: (612) 941-5560 TWX: 910-576-3103 TELEX: 29-0183 CABLE: ROSEMOUNT @

Revised 8/81

8.1
IV. DESCRIPTION OF CALIBRATION SYSTEM

The calibration of an SPRT on the IPTS-68(75) involves the measurement of

the resistance when the thermometer is at each of the temperatures of the

prescribed defining fixed points. This section deals with the equipment, the

preparation of fixed-point cells, and the procedures employed at NBS to

realize the temperatures of the prescribed defining fixed points for

calibrating SPRTs.

In practice, thermometer calibrations are not made at exactly the

temperatures of prescribed equilibrium conditions for the fixed points. For

small known departures from the prescribed conditions, a temperature

correction can satisfactorily be made, e.g., such a departure may exist

because of the hydrostatic head at the level of the thermometer resistor in

calibrations that employ triple-point or freezing-point cells. (The effect of

pressure deviations is given in the text of the IPTS-68(75). Gross departures

from the prescribed conditions usually require extensive efforts to establish

that the adjusted temperature and resulting calibration are sufficiently close

to the IPTS-68(75)

.

The calibration apparatus at the NBS has been designed to be used with

the great majority of SPRTs. Capsule-type SPRTs, however, are mounted in

special stai nl ess- steel holders (Figure IV. 1) before they are calibrated in

fixed-point equipment with deep thermometer wells.

IV. 1. Fixed-Point Cells

The temperature fixed points used for the calibration of SPRTs from

90.1 88 K to 630.74 °C are the freezing point of zinc, the freezing point of

tin, the triple point of water (TPW), and the normal boiling point of oxygen.

The fixed points and the fixed-point cells are described below.

IV. 1. a. Triple point of water

The triple point of water (0.01 °C) is the most useful and important of

the defining fixed points of IPTS-68(75) for calibrating SPRTs. The virtues

of regular thermometer measurements at the triple point of water are so great

that all but the most casual measurements of temperature with an SPRT should

include a reference measurement at this triple point. The triple point is

82
realized in a sealed glass cell (Figure IV. 2) containing ice, water, and water

vapor. When the cell is in use, it may be placed in an ordinary crushed-icewater bath. Figure IV. 2 shows the cell and one of the ice-bath systems used

at NBS.

For preparation of the triple point the cell is first immersed in the ice

bath with the mouth of the re-entrant thermometer well above the surrounding

ice-water level. The well is thoroughly dried, then filled with crushed Dry

1 8

Ice and maintained full for about 20 minutes by replacing the sublimed Dry

Ice. The initial freezing of water within the triple-point cell will occur

several degrees below the triple-point temperature because water easily

supercools. When the water does start to freeze, fine needles of ice crystals

(dendrites) are initially formed and protrude from the wall of the well into

the liquid. The fine needles quickly cover the well but soon disappear to

form a clear coating of ice on the well that will grow and become a 4 to 8 mm

thick mantle in about 20 minutes. It is important to keep the well completely

full of Dry Ice during this period. (If the Dry Ice level in the well is

allowed to drop several inches and then the well is refilled, the ice mantle

is very apt to crack. The desired triple-point temperature may not be

achieved if a crack in the ice mantle extends from the well surface into the

surrounding liquid water.) In the process of introducing Dry Ice into the

well, some of the Dry Ice may be deposited around the top of the cell, causing

the water within the cell to freeze solidly across the top. This ice should

be melted immediately to avoid the possible breaking of the cell glass.

Whenever ice is frozen solidly across the top surface of the cell water and a strong bond is formed between the thermometer well and the outer cell wall,

any subsequent freezing of water below the surface ice can result in

sufficient pressure to rupture the cell. The surface ice can be melted by

raising the cell slightly and warming the top of the cell with one's hands

briefly while gently shaking the top of the cell sideways to "wash" the region

with the cell water, an operation which facilitates the melting of the layer

of ice. After 20 minutes no additional Dry Ice should be added and the Dry

Ice remaining in the well should be allowed to sublime completely. Finally,

when the Dry Ice in the well is completely gone, the cell is lowered deeper

into the ice bath and the well allowed to fill with water. If the cell is

83
raised high enough to see the mantle during the freezing process, the

magnification of the cylinder of water will give the impression that the cell

is or is about to be frozen solid with ice although the coating of ice on the

well may still be as little as 1 or 2 mm thick. If the cell is inverted, the

true thickness of the ice may be seen. (The cell should not be inverted after

the "inner-melt," described in the next paragraph, has been made.) An

immersion type cooler may be used instead of Dry Ice for freezing the ice

mantle. Care must be taken, however, to avoid admitting the auxiliary heattransfer liquid, e.g., alcohol, into the surrounding ice bath.

A second ice-water interface is formed by melting the ice immediately

adjacent to the well surface. This is referred to as the "inner melt". The

inner melt is made by inserting a glass tube at ambient temperature into the

well for a few seconds. A test for the existence of the ice-water interface

over the entire interior surface of the mantle is to give the cell a small

rotational impulse and determine whether or not the ice mantle rotates freely

around the axis of the thermometer well.

Because of some evidence that the temperature of the triple-point cell is

-4

sometimes slightly low (on the order of 2 x 1 0 °C) immediately after

freezing, the cell should be prepared at least one day prior to its use. The

reason for this low initial temperature and the subsequent gradual increase

during one or two days to a steady value is not clearly established but it is

believed to be connected with structural strains that are produced when the

ice is first frozen; presumably the strains are relieved with time as the ice

anneals. The magnitude of the lower initial temperature and the rate of

increase to a steady temperature value is dependent upon the specific

technique that is employed in freezing the cell.

Figure IV. 2 shows a triple-point cell immersed in an ice bath. Before

using the cell, a small soft plastic sponge (J) is placed at the bottom of the

well to reduce the mechanical shock that the thermometer might otherwise

experience when it is lowered into the cell. Also, a closely fitting aluminum

bushing (I) about 5 cm long is placed above the sponge (at the bottom of the

well) to reduce the external self heating of the thermometer. In a 0.5-inch

diameter well, filled only with water for thermal contact between the SPRT and

the well, the external self heating of a typical 25-9. SPRT (7.5 mm O.D.) is

84
about 0.2 mK/(mA) . The bushing reduces this heating by a factor of five or more depending upon its fit with the well and the SPRT. To eliminate the

1 9 ambient room radiation (from ceiling lights in particular), a heavy black

felt cloth (A) covers the top of the cell except f or a hole through which the

thermometer may be inserted. The thermometer to be measured is precooled in

the ice bath that surrounds the cell before it is inserted into the cell. A polyethylene plastic tube (B) located from the hole in the felt cloth to the

re-entrant well provides a guide for inserting the SPRT. Before measurements

are made on the SPRT, a minimum time of five minutes is allowed to elapse

(with the thermometer current on and the bridge nearly balanced) for the

attainment of thermal equilibrium. If an ice particle is present in the well

near the SPRT resistor, an error will occur in the calibration. The water in

the well must be free of ice before the SPRT is inserted. Routine

measurements made in calibrating thermometers in triple-point cells have an

20 estimated standard deviation of less than 0.14 mK . Very careful work using

two currents and extrapolating to the resistance value for zero current has

21 yielded an estimated standard deviation of less than 0.04 mK.

IV.I.b. Metal freezing points

Freezing points are advantageous to use in calibrations because the

effect of a change in pressure on the temperature, the value of dt/dp, is much

smaller than that for boiling points. In a metal freezing-point cell, the

temperature at the solid-liquid interface depends upon the concentration and

kind of impurities; also, strains in the solid and grain size affect the

temperature. The concentrations of impurities (solute) existing at the

interface depend upon the amount and kinds of impurities in the sample, the

amount of sample frozen, and the rate of freezing. To achieve a true

temperature and phase equilibrium, the net rate of freezing (or melting) must

approach zero. This equilibrium condition may be illustrated by the binary

composition versus temperature phase diagram shown in Figure IV. 3 in which the

two constituents are completely miscible in both the liquid and solid phases,

e.g., the system Ag-Au or Bi-Sb. The phase diagram of Figure IV. 3 is

presented for its simplicity. Since metal samples employed in freezing-point

cells are prepared by the zone refining process, the remaining impurities

85
(combined as a single component in the illustration) are expected to form a solid solution with the major component. (Most binary metal systems on which

data exist do not form a continuous series of solid solutions; various degrees

of immiscibil ity are usually found.) The figure shows the region of the

composition and temperature where the solid and liquid phases can coexist.

The solidus curve indicates the temperature at which a solid solution of any

given composition would begin to melt; the liquidus curve indicates the

temperature at which a liquid solution of any given composition would begin to

freeze (assuming no supercooling). Alternatively, when both solid and liquid

phases are present in equilibrium, the composition of each phase is given by

the intersections of the temperature line with the solidus and liquidus

curves, respectively. An enlarged section of this phase diagram, showing the

effect of a small amount of B in nearly pure A, is shown in Figure IV. 4(a).

If a completely melted sample of composition Lq is allowed to cool under

equilibrium conditions, no change in composition of the liquid occurs until

the temperature reaches the liquidus curve (Lj at temperature Tj) at which

point solid (assuming no supercooling) of the composition Sj, given by the

solidus curve at the same temperature, is formed. In the case shown here, the

first solid contains a smaller proportion of B than the liquid from which it was formed; as more solid is formed, the concentration of B in the liquid

increases. When freezing under equilibrium conditions, the composition of the

solid phase moves from Sj to S^; the composition of the liquid phase moves

from L, to L . The last of the liquid solidifies at T . Obviously the ^ n ^ n amounts of A and B in the completely solidified sample must be the same as in

the original liquid. must, therefore, equal Lq and Li, and no segregation

occurs. The temperature range of the "freeze" is from T ^ to T^. Although in

most systems the solutes lower the freezing point, there are systems in which

solutes raise the freezing point; antimony in tin is an example of the latter.

Such a system is illustrated by the extreme right portion of the equilibrium

phase diagram where B is the major constituent as in Figure IV. 3. An enlarged

section is shown in Figure IV. 4(b). The analysis of the phase diagram is

similar to that just given for the case when B is the minor constituent. The

most notable difference is that, as the diagram shows, the concentration of

the solute is greater in the solid than in the liquid. The ratio (S/L) of

86
solute concentration in the solid (S) to that in the liquid (L) is called the

solute distribution coefficient (k) and, as given in Figures IV. 3 and IV. 4, is

less than unity for solutes that depress the freezing point and is greater

than unity for solutes that elevate the freezing point. Except for very

dilute solutions, depicted in Figure IV.il, the solute distribution coefficient

depends on concentration.

Phase diagrams are idealized conceptions of systems at equilibrium (often

based on relatively little data). For equilibrium freezing, the

crystallization process must proceed at such a negligible rate that there is

sufficient time for the diffusion of impurities within the solid matrix to

achieve uniform distribution throughout the solid, i.e., there is no concentration gradient in the solid. Experimentally this rate of freezing is

never realized; however, freezing rates can be achieved which, while large

compared to the diffusion rates in the solid matrix, are small compared to the

diffusion rate in the liquid. This condition leads to a maximum segregation

in the solid but homogeneity in the liquid; this condition will be referred to as semi-equilibrium freezing. The results of semi-equilibrium freezing are shown in the phase diagram of Figure IV. 4 and on the cooling curve of Figure

IV. 5. The phase diagram still represents the compositions at the solid-liquid

interface but the solidus curve no longer is the average composition of the

solid phase; the average composition of the solid is given by the dashed line

beginning at in Figure IV. 4(a). Compared to an equilibrium freeze, the

freezing temperature range for the entire sample is increased due to the

increased concentration of impurities at the interface near the end of the

freeze. (This assumes no eutectic is formed in the equilibrium freeze.) For

22

the case of semi-equilibrium freezing, Pfann gives an expression equivalent

to

S/L = k (1 - g)^"""

, (IV. 1) o

where L is the overall solute concentration and S is the solute concentration

o of the freezing interface after the fraction g of the original mass of liquid

has frozen. (The equation is not applicable for the entire range of g. The

derivation assumes the distribution coefficient k to be constant and the

solute diffusion rate in the solid to be zero.) Figure IV. 6 gives curves of

87
relative solute composition of the freezing interface resulting from this

expression for various values of k. Figure IV. 5 compares the curve for

k = 0.4, replotted on a linear scale, with the curve that would be obtained

for a corresponding equilibrium freeze. The semi-equilibrium freeze is shown

to have a broader freezing range.

Sufficiently rapid freezing causes a departure from the semi-equilibrium

freeze. See Figure IV. 7. As the velocity of the advancing solid-liquid

interface increases, the rate of solute rejection into the liquid at the

interface increases. When the impurity can not be uniformly distributed

throughout the liquid by either diffusion or convective mixing, the

concentration of the solute builds up at the interface as shown in Figure

IV. 7(b). When this occurs, the effective segregation of the solute decreases

(i.e., the effective value of k approaches 1). Because of the increase in the

solute concentration at the interface, the temperature of the interface

becomes lower. Figure IV. 7(c) shows qualitatively the result of a freeze

which is very rapid compared to the impurity diffusion rate in the liquid (and

for which there is no other method of homogenization, e.g., stirring).

:„ A notable example of nonequ i 1 i br i um freezing in metal freezing-point

cells is the rapid freezing that occurs after a supercool. In this case when

the completely melted sample is cooled through the temperature at which the

phase diagram indicates that the solid should first appear (i.e., crosses the

liquidus curve), no solid appears. The first solid appears at a somewhat

lower temperature (typically 0.02 °C or 0.06 °C lower in zinc, 1 °C to 25 °C

lower in tin, water, or antimony). The solid tends to grow most rapidly into

the cooler parts of the liquid until the released heat of fusion raises the

temperature of the liquid to the equilibrium temperature of the composition at

the solid-liquid interface. The temperature to which a liquid supercools is

not very reproducible even with the same sample. The amount of supercooling

seems to depend on the purity of the sample, the thermal history of the melt,

the occurrence of mechanical shock or vibration, and other effects not known

or understood. The system may be far from equilibrium during the recovery

from the supercool; the solid-liquid interface advances very rapidly and there

is very little time for diffusion or convection to homogenize the liquid. As

a result, the impurities rejected from the freezing liquid for the case where

88
k < 1 becomes relatively concentrated in the liquid in the region of the

interface. When the recovery from the supercool is nominally complete, the

high concentration of impurities in the liquid at the interface will be

reduced by diffusion and the temperature will rise until the flow of

impurities from the freezing liquid to the liquid at the interface is equal to

the flow away from the interface to the remaining "bulk" liquid.

Rapid freezing implies a rapid transfer of heat. Many authors have

suggested that it may be necessary for the temperature at the solid-liquid

interface to be significantly below the equilibrium temperature if freezing is

to take place rapidly; i.e., the net rate of freezing is zero at the

equilibrium temperature and increases only with decreasing solid-liquid

interface temperatures. The metal in the two phases at the interface thus

constitutes a "proportional" controller, supplying heat on demand and having a temperature "offset" from the equilibrium value if demand exists. This

picture is intuitively appealing and is in qualitative agreement with the

theory of reaction kinetics. But, the crucial questions would seem to be what

is the rate of energy released per unit of temperature departure from

equilibrium and how is the measurement of this separated from other events

briefly outlined above that occur in nonequilibrium freezing? The difficulty

of this measurement has prevented firm establishment of this model.

IV.I.b.1. Tin-point cell

The realization of either the tin point or the steam point is necessary

for the calibration of SPRTs in accordance with the specifications set forth

in the text of IPTS-68(75). The tin point (231.9681 °C) has two distinctive

advantages; first, its temperature is much closer than that of the steam point

to the midpoint between the temperatures of the triple point of water and the

zinc point and, therefore, tends to produce less average error in the

calibration of thermometers (see Figure II. 1); second, and of greater

practical importance, the solid-liquid equilibrium temperature of tin is 8600

times less sensitive to pressure changes than the liquid-vapor equilibrium

temperature of water at 1 atmosphere. For the freezing point of tin,

-6 -5

dt/dp = +M.3 X 10 °C/torr or +2.2 x 10 °C/(cm column of liquid tin).

89
Therefore, knowledge of the pressure within ± 1 torr is adequate for

determining the temperature of a tin-point cell.

The tin sample for the freezing-point cell must be of high purity

(nominally >99 . 9995^ pure) and the freezing apparatus must be designed and

operated to interpose a solid-liquid interface of tin completely around the

resistance element and lower part of the thermometer stem. The immersion of

the resistor must be sufficient to prevent sensible heat flow from the

resistor up the stem of the thermometer. In addition, the sample holder must

be chemically inert and not introduce any impurities that would affect the

freezing-point temperature of tin. At NBS, the tin sample is contained in a closed crucible of high-purity graphite. A re-entrant well, also of highpurity graphite, is screwed or pushed into the lid. The assembly is shown

schematically in Figure IV. 8. The cell assembly permits sealing the stem of

the thermometer, as well as the crucible with its charge of tin, in helium gas

which provides an inert atmosphere for both the crucible and the tin and,

addtionally, improves the thermal conductance to the thermometer.

Because of the relatively high thermal impedance of gas, even helium,

considerable effort is made to obtain small clearances at the heat shunts to

keep the thermal impedance as low as possible. This is practical with

components of borosilicate glass and graphite because their thermal

coefficients of expansion are similiar. The outer borosilicate glass cell is

formed from precision bore tubing and its external diameter is ground to fit

the furnace sleeve. The two graphite heat shunts (G) shown in Figure IV. 8,

were fitted closely to both the thermometer guide tube (F) and the glass cell

(H). The shunts serve primarily to conduct heat to the inner glass tube of

the cell, thereby improving the "immersion characteristics" of the

thermometer. The space between the heat shunts is loosely filled with high

purity Fiberfrax (washed) insulation to eliminate convection currents and

radiation losses from the top of the crucible and the heat shunts; also, it

vertically positions the heat shunts.

An apparatus for filling the crucibles is shown in Figure IV. 9. The bell

jar (which contains the metal sample and its funnel and crucible) is

evacuated to about 0.01 torr by a mechanical pump that is "trapped" with a molecular sieve and the temperature of the enclosed assembly is then raised to

90
a few degrees below the tin freezing point. After 1 hour has elapsed, the

induction heater power is increased so that the tin sample will melt and flow

into tne crucible within about 15 minutes. Next, the sample is allowed to

cool to about room temperature, the crucible is removed from the bell jar, and

the crucible is slipped into a special borosilicate glass cell. Figure IV. 10.

The glass cell is then purged with helium, lowered into the furnace that is

used for realizing the freezing point, and the tin reheated to about 250 °C.

Subsequently, the glass cell is raised out of the furnace and the graphite lid

and well assembly are smoothly and quickly pushed into place. To perform the

assembly easily, the outside diameters of the crucible and lid were made equal

and the inside dimensions of the glass tube only slightly (perhaps 0.01 mm)

larger. The glass tube guides and correctly positions the lid to cover the

crucible. The lid is closely fitted to the crucible to minimize the

possibility of later contamination. Finally, the crucible is again allowed to

cool, removed from the special glass cell, and assembled as a freezing-point

cell such as is shown in Figure IV. 8.

In the preparation for tin freezing-point measurements, the tin-point

cell is placed in the furnace (held about 10 °C above the tin point) until

complete melting occurs. During the heating process, the cell temperature,

which is monitored with an SPRT, rises until melting begins, becomes nearly

constant until the melting is completed, and then rises again. There is no reason to raise the temperature of the tin more than a f ew tenths of a degree

above the melting point. In a furnace with large temperature gradients,

precautions should be taken to make certain that the metal is completely

melted. There is no evidence to indicate that heating the tin to several

degrees above its melting point in an inert atmosphere is harmful to the

sample

.

After the melting is completed, the furnace is allowed to cool to the

tin-point temperature. A thermometer is inserted in the cell well and

instrumented so that a temperature range of 25 °C below the tin freezing point

can be visually monitored to within about 0.5 °C by a person, standing beside

the furnace, holding the tin cell outside the furnace and ready to reinsert

it. A resistance bridge is used for this purpose. When the cell has cooled

to the tin-point temperature, it is removed from the furnace. The cell

91
temperature, after a few seconds, will suddenly decrease very rapidly, perhaps

as much as 20 or 25 °C. As soon as its temperature stops decreasing, the cell

is immediately lowered into the furnace again; subsequently, the cell

temperature will increase even more rapidly than it previously decreased. If

the cell temperature is examined in detail, the final approach to the tin

freezing point (the last few ten- thousandths of a degree) will be seen to take

a few minutes (see Figure IV.11). When the temperature plateau is reached,

the SPRT is measured. It may then be removed and a second SPRT inserted. The

second thermometer is preheated above the tin point so that its temperature,

during insertion into the tin-point cell, slightly exceeds that of the cell.

Figure IV. 12 shows the results of successive insertions of the same SPRT in a single tin freeze.

An experimental procedure similar to that described above for observing

the supercooling of the tin may be used to check the preheating of the SPRT

before inserting it into the tin-point cell. The thermometer should be

preheated and held in the air over the tin cell while monitoring the

decreasing temperature of the thermometer. As a first approximation, the

thermometer can be inserted into the tin-point cell when its indicated

temperature is 30 °C above that of the tin point. If subsequent close

monitoring indicates that the thermometer temperature is rising, then the

thermometer was too cold when it was inserted. Several thermometers may be

consecutively calibrated during one freeze if each is properly preheated (see

Figure IV. 12). A simple check on the temperature constancy during a freeze is

afforded by employing the same thermometer in both the first and last

measurements in a series of SPRT calibrations. At NBS, a single SPRT is set

aside as a check thermometer and used only for this purpose, i.e., as an experimental control.

The immersion characteristics of an SPRT were tested in one of the tinpoint cells that were described earlier. The observed resistances are shown

in Figure IV. 13 as a function of the distance from the bottom of the crucible

thermometer well. The results show that the immersion of the SPRT in the cell

is more than adequate. This figure does not, however, show the temperature

23 gradient expected from the change in pressure with depth.

92
In the reduction of the calibration data, the temperature at the point of

immersion of the SPRT in the tin-point cell is employed. The value of

temperature assigned in the text of the IPTS-68(75) is adjusted for the

departure from the equilibrium conditions specified for the fixed point; i.e., an adjustment of temperature is made for the effect of the hydrostatic head of

liquid tin and for any departure from one standard atmosphere of the gas

pressure in the cell.

The high reproducibility of the tin freezing point may be seen in the

results of tests (made at the NBS) that compare the freezing points of a number of tin samples. The average standard deviation of measurements on a given cell is 0.05 mK from freeze to freeze (see Figure IV. 1^). All of the

measurements are plotted relative to the mean of samples 6C and 6E. The

individual measurements (one for each freeze) are shown as short horizontal

bars; four freezes are represented for each cell with the exception of 6K, on which only two freezes were performed. The values are based on the

determinations of R(t)/R(0 °C) that were obtained from extrapolations to zero

thermometer current of observations of R(t) and R(0 °C) at 1 and 2 mA. The

R(t)s were measured 1.5 hours after the initiation of a freeze. The R(0 °C)s

were measured immediately after every determination of the R(t)s. The samples

identified as 5 were reported to be 99.999 percent pure; the samples

identified as 6 were reported to 99.9999 percent pure. The sample identifed

as 6M was accidentally overheated to a temperature above 500 °C.

IV.1.b.2. Zinc-point cell

The equipment and procedures used at NBS for filling graphite crucibles

with zinc are identical to those employed for tin, except that after

evacuation at a temperature slightly below the tin point, an atmosphere of

purified dry argon is admitted into the bell jar. Because of the relatively

high vapor pressure of zinc at its melting point (over 0.1 torr), filling the

graphite crucible by melting the sample in vacuum is less practical. The

power of the induction heater is raised sufficiently to melt the zinc sample

(approximately 1 280 g) in about 30 min. In spite of the presence of argon

gas, enough zinc vapor diffuses and is deposited on the surface of the bell

jar to cause difficulty in observing when the zinc is completely melted. The

93
sample is allowed to cool and the assembly of the zinc-point cell is carried

out in the same manner as that used for the tin sample.

To realize the freezing point of zinc with an uncertainty of about

± 0.002 "C, the furnace used to provide the heat need not be very complex.

However, a zinc sample of high purity and the use of proper freezing-point

techniques are important. The experimental procedure for realizing the

freezing point of zinc differs appreciably from that employed for tin. First, as with tin, the zinc is melted in the furnace while being monitored with an

SPRT. Then the zinc freeze is initiated in the furnace, unlike the tin freeze

in which the cell is removed from the furnace to initiate the freeze. The

furnace temperature is reduced so that the sample temperature, as measured

within the well, reaches the zinc-point temperature at a cooling rate of

0.1 to 0.2 °C per minute. The zinc supercools below the zinc-point

temperature by 0.02 "C to 0.06 °C (as measured by the SPRT) before

recalescence occurs. The subsequent rise toward the plateau temperature,

while rapid at first, becomes very slow after several minutes (see Figure

IV. 15). To hasten this process, an induced-f reeze is employed to form a second solid-liquid interface immediately adjacent to the well. (The first

solid-liquid interface occurs at the crucible wall.) After the zinc cell has

completed the initial rapid freeze following the supercool described above,

two cold thermometers are inserted into the well to freeze the zinc around the

well; a solid-liquid interface that completely surrounds the well is necessary

and a single thermometer may not freeze a complete coating of zinc on the

well. The resistance of the second thermometer will rise to a steady value

(within 10 °C) within a few minutes (typically 10 to 15 minutes) after

insertion and will remain nearly constant for a period of time that is

determined by the freezing rate of the outer solid zinc layer and the purity

of the zinc. (The rate of freezing, of course, depends principally upon the

heat loss to the furnace, i.e., the temperature setting of the furnace).

Freezes lasting as long as three days have been observed at NBS, but 12 to 16

hour freezes are more typical. As with tin, SPRTs may be consecutively

calibrated in a single zinc freeze if the thermometers are preheated (see

Figure IV. 16). The preheating of the thermometer minimizes the growth of the

inner freeze on the well and thereby extends the useful life of the freeze.

94
Care must be exercised to avoid melting a hole in the inner freeze or loosening the mantle on the well such that it slides to the bottom of the

crucible. To ensure that no melting and no excessive freezing occurs, the

thermometer is preheated to a temperature slightly below the zinc-point

temperature before inserting it into the cell. As with tin, an SPRT is set

aside at NBS for checking the constancy of the freeze, and it is used for both

the first and last measurements in each freeze. The freezing-point

measurements are normally not conducted at exactly the specified pressure of 1 standard atmosphere and, thus, a correction is made for this departure. The

pressure at the interface surrounding the thermometer resistor includes both

the gas pressure over the sample and the pressure due to the head of liquid

zinc. For zinc at the melting point, the value of dt/dp is +5.7x10 ^ °C/torr

-5 or +2.7^x10 °C/cm column of liquid zinc.

The immersion characteristics of an SPRT were tested in one of the zincpoint cells that were described. The observed resistances are shown in Figure

IV. 17 as a function of the distance from the bottom of the crucible

thermometer well. The results show that the immersion of the SPRT in the cell

is more than adequate.

IV. I.e. Oxygen normal boiling point

The oxygen normal boiling point calibration is realized at the NBS by

3 reference to the NBS-55 scale adjusted to correspond to the IPTS-68(75). The

temperature (hotness) assigned to the oxygen point, now maintained by SPRT

standards, is 0.0019 K lower than that maintained previously on the NBS-55

scale. This change resulted from efforts made to achieve uniformity in

several national temperature scales. Calibrations near the oxygen point are

performed by inserting the SPRTs to be calibrated and an SPRT standard in the

apparatus shown in Figure IV. 18. In the preparation for calibration, the

apparatus is evacuated and immersed in liquid nitrogen to the level indicated.

There are eight thin-walled Monel wells (A) extending into the copper block

(P). Two of these wells are one-half inch in diameter to accommodate capsule

type thermometers in holders. Thermometers are sealed into the wells at the

top by a molded band of very soft silicone rubber. The thermometer wells are filled with helium gas to a pressure that is slightly above atmospheric. The

95
helium enhances the thermal contact between the walls of the wells and the

thermometers and prevents condensible gases from entering the wells. The

copper block (P) and shields (F and L) are maintained under vacuum. They are

initially cooled by admitting nitrogen gas and/or liquid through the valve (K)

shown just below the surface of the liquid nitrogen. The cool vapor flows

through coils (N) on the top shields and on the massive center block, finally

passing through (B) to a large-capacity vacuum pump. After cooling the block

to a temperature near the oxygen point, the valve is closed and the nitrogen

gas in the cooling coils is removed; the temperature of the block is brought

within 1 K of the oxygen point, and the outer shields are controlled at the

temperature of the block. Experience shows that the temperature of the block

can be maintained more nearly constant by allowing the inner shields to

"float" without heating at a temperature near that of the block. [Heaters (M)

on the copper block and the inner shields are used, when desired, to attain

higher temperatures]. The outer shields are controlled to be at the

temperature of the block by means of one differential thermopile between the

top shield and the block, and a second thermopile between the outer top shield

and the outer side shield. The signals from these thermopiles go to

commercial low-level chopper type dc amplifiers and thence to three-mode

controllers; the output signals from the controllers are then raised to power

levels that are sufficient to supply the shield heater (less than 1 W).

Measurements on the thermometer to be calibrated and the standard thermometer

are made simultaneously using two Guildline current-comparator bridges or one

Guildline cur r en t

- com pa r a t or bridge and an automatic ac resistance

24 25 bridge. ' The standard deviation of the intercompari son is less than the

equivalent of 0.1 mK.

IV. 2. Furnaces for Fixed-Point Cells

The metal freezing-point cells are used in furnaces of the design shown

in Figure IV. 19. AT NBS, two furnaces are employed, one for the tin point and

the other for the zinc point. Except for the metal sleeves employed at the

top section of the furnace core, the two furnaces are the same. The core of

the furnace is a stack of three cylindrical coaxial blocks of aluminum (top

(G), center (L) , and bottom (T)) that are thermally insulated from each other

96
by Fiberfrax paper and surrounded by a nichrome wire heater (main heater, 0)

which extends the full length of the three blocks. The heater wire fits

closely within each of the two holes of 51 cm lengths of two-hole oval alumina

tubing. These alumina tubings are very closely spaced around the outer

surface of the core (parallel to its axis) and are held tightly against the

outside of the blocks with three Inconel "garters." (See the periphery of the

furnace core section drawings 1,2,3,^, and 5.) The garters were made of

Inconel wire bent into a form resembling a continuing sine-wave about one

centimeter in amplitude and wavelength, then rolled to slightly reduce the

thickness, and welded into a ring. The top and bottom blocks each have an additional heater (F and U) consisting of nichrome wire that passes through 98 mm lengths of two-hole, round alumina tubings which were selected to fit

closely in the 12 holes of each block. To minimize thermal time lags, the

heater assemblies have small clearances between the heaters and the aluminum

core blocks. (The leads extending through the core to the heater of the top core block are gold. The leads to the other heaters are heavy nichrome wire.)

Extending down through holes that run the length of the three assembled blocks

are six thin-wall (0.13 mm wall thickness) stainless steel tubes (B) nominally

3.2 mm in diameter. The tubes pass through 3-22 mm holes in the end blocks

(see a and b of Figure IV. 19). To permit the holes for these tubes to be

accurately positioned through the 30.5 cm long center block, the center block

was made in two telescoping cylindrical pieces. The end plate (Q) was

attached later to the center core block. Grooves that closely fit the

stainless steel tubes were milled on the outside of the inner cylinder which

was then fitted tightly inside the second (outer) cylinder. The two cylinders

were "shrunk together", a process that involved precooling the inner cylinder

in liquid nitrogen and heating the outer cylinder. The tubes are wells into

which thermocouples are placed for controlling the furnace temperature; they

also serve as wells for small exploratory resistance thermometers to determine

the temperature distribution within the furnace core. The entire core of the

furnace, including all three blocks and the heaters, slips into a stainless

steel tube (A) 11.4 cm in diameter with a 0.76 mm wall. Sheets of mica are

wrapped around the main heater near each end to center the core within the

tube, to enhance thermal contact between the tube and the main heater near the

97
ends, and to reduce undesirable heat convection currents. The centering

leaves a small annular air space between the tube and the alumina insulators

of the main heater in the region of the center block; the thermal contact of

the end blocks with the surrounding stainless steel tube serves as "thermal

end guards" and reduces the thermal gradients in the middle section of the

tube opposite the center block.

The weight of the core rests on a 0.51 mm wall stainless steel tube (W)

11.4 cm long and 2.5 cm in diameter. The space beneath the core is filled

with loose Fiberfrax insulation. The outside of the furnace is a 35.5 cm diameter brass tube with end plates and is filled as indicated in

Figure IV. 19 with Fiberfrax insulation. A rather widely spaced helical coil

of 9.5 mm diameter copper tubing is soldered to the outside brass tube (K) to

permit water cooling; a comparable provision is made for the end plates. The

water cooling is not used when the furnace is at the tin point but is helpful

at the zinc point in reducing convection currents around the furnace that cause gradients in the head of the thermometer which, in turn, may result in

thermal emf's. The thermal insulation is sufficient so that, even at the zinc

point with no water cooling, the outside of the furnace is not "hot to the

touch." To achieve further thermal insulation, the furnace core is recessed

from the top of the furnace as shown in Figure IV. 19. A major path of heat

loss from the top of the core is along the 11.4 cm diameter stainless steel

tube that contains the core; to reduce the heat loss, the core was recessed

and the tube was made relatively longer.

The top core block (G) of the tin furnace was designed to receive an aluminum sleeve (H) 10.2 cm long that is bored to fit as closely as possible

the glass cell that holds the tin sample. By using removable metal sleeves, a reasonable range of glass cell diameters can be accommodated while still

achieving good thermal contact with the cell above the crucible where the heat

shunts are located. The glass cells are of sufficiently uniform diameter to

achieve a suitably close fit. In the design, allowance has been made for the

differential expansion of the aluminum and the glass cell. (The NBS glass

cells are generally ground on the outside to a uniform diameter.) Because

aluminum sleeves bond to the aluminum top core block at the zinc point, split

inconel sleeves are employed in the zinc-point furnace. Also, because of the

98
close tolerances needed for good thermal contact, the zinc-point cells are not

permitted to cool to room temperature in the furnace. Otherwise, the

borosilicate glass tube would be crushed due to the differential contraction

between the aluminum top end block and the glass.

The center core block (L) was bored to provide approximately 1.0 mm clearance for the most common (and largest) size of glass tubes, specifically

51 mm o.d.; this 1 . 0 mm annular space provides the thermal insulation that

reduces the heat transfer to the crucible and metal sample during freezing or melting experiments. The design also reduces the need for close control or knowledge of the furnace temperature in many operations.

Three Chromel-P /Alumel thermocouples (TC) enclosed in alumina sheaths

control the furnace temperature. Two of the thermocouples (differential) are

referenced to the temperature at the middle of the center core block; the

measuring junction of one is located approximately 1.2 cm up into the top core

block and that of the second is similarly located down into the bottom core

block. The third TC is referenced outside the furnace and the measuring

junction is located in the middle of the center block.

Each differential TC is connected in series with a stable voltage source

(powered by mercury cells) which is adjustable between ± 75 yV (equivalent to

± 1.5 °C). The center block TC connects to a reference junction, which is

self-compensating for changes in room temperature, and to a voltage source

that has (i) a range of 15 mV, (ii) a stability of 0.01 percent, and (iii) a reproducibility of setting of better than 2 yV. The combined output of each

TC and voltage source is amplified by a chopper-type dc amplifier whose output

operates a "three-mode" controller. The zero stability of the amplifier is

better than 0.5 uV. The output of each controller is an adjustable linear

(proportional) function of the input, its rate of change, and its time

integral. The signal from the controller operates a gate drive f or a fullwave silicon-controlled rectifier which, in turn, controls the power supplied

to the heater. The rectifiers do not cause detectable interference with any

other equipment (low level null detectors, ac and dc bridges, etc.) in the

room. Each aluminum block of the core is grounded by means of a heavy gold

wire

.

99
The control of each furnace was made very flexible in that several

combinations of manual and automatic controls may be selected for operating

the furnace, including the provision for independently setting the temperature

offset between the center and the top and between the center and the bottom

core blocks. A freeze is usually conducted with each of the three heaters

under the automatic control of their corresponding TCs. A plot of thermometer

resistance (relative to that at the center of the center block) as a function

of depth in the core of the furnace, while the furnace and a tin-point cell were at 235 °C, is shown in Figure IV. 20. These measurements were made with a small four-lead platinum resistance thermometer, 2.8 mm diameter and 2 cm

long, having a nominal ice-point resistance of 50 f2. This furnace, which was designed and built at the NBS, is more

sophisticated than necessary for calibrating thermometers at the tin and zinc

fixed points with reasonable (better than 0.002 °C) accuracy. It was designed

for special studies of the freezing and melting phenomena of tin and zinc.

Tin and zinc freezes for calibrating SPRTs have been performed very

successfully in many laboratories with furnaces that contain a single copper

block and employed a manually controlled heater. Such calibrations have been

performed in furnaces that exhibit core temperature gradients of 1.5 °C over

the length of the crucible containing the sample and relatively long response

times. Realization of the tin and zinc freezing points with reasonable

accuracy is principally dependent upon the high purity of freezing-point

samples and the use of proper freezing and measurement techniques.

IV. 3. Cryostat For Comparison Calibration Between 13. 81 K and 90.188 K

To determine temperatures below the oxygen normal boiling point, the text

of the IPTS-68(75) assigns values to defining fixed points and prescribes the

2 6 form of interpolation formulae. At the time the IPTS-58 was adopted, no national laboratory could satisfactorily realize all of the fixed points. The

four temperature scales (e.g., NBS-55) upon which the extension to

temperatures below the oxygen point was principally based are each highly

reproducible. The text of the IPTS-68, therefore, formally recognized that

3 the use of these national scales, adjusted by the published differences, will

give a close approximation to the IPTS-68 below 90.188 K. At NBS, a reference

100
group of capsule-type SPRTs mantains the "national scale" (NBS-55). The NBS

version of IPTS-68(75) [NBS-IPTS-68 ( 75 ) ] is achieved by making reference to

the NBS-55 scale and utilizing the published differences between the NBS-55

scale and the IPTS-68 referred to above. Thermometers are calibrated by

i nt er compar i son in a nearly isothermal copper block with one of the

thermometers of this reference group. A second thermometer from the reference

group is also included in the comparison to serve as a check on both the

reference thermometer being used and on the comparison techniques. These two

thermometers will be referred to, henceforth, as the first and second

standards, respectively.

The comparison of capsule- type SPRTs is performed in a cryostat that has

been built and operated rather like an adiabatic calorimeter. The apparatus

is shown in Figure IV.21 . The copper comparison block (V), shown enlarged in

Figure IV. 22, has wells for six thermometers, two standards and four

thermometers under test. The schematic in Figure IV. 23 shows that the first

standard is wired independently of the other five thermometers. The wiring

arrangement employed for the five thermometers requires only 2n+2 leads f or n thermometers; in this case, only 12 leads are required, thus minimizing the

number of leads and, therefore, the heat transfer through the leads with the

surroundings. The first standard is electrically isolated from the others.

This permits the use of two bridges to make simultanueous measurements on the

first standard and any one of the thermometers to be calibrated or the second

standard. The resistance measurements are made with two Guildline Current

Comparator bridges or one Guildline Current Comparator bridge and an automatic

ac bridge.

To minimize the possible change in the difference of resistance in the

potential leads, the leads from the thermometers that pass up through the

cryostat are of No. 26 AWG (0.404 mm diameter) manganin wire insulated with a heavy coating of Formvar. This choice represents a compromise among the

requirements of low heat conductivity, the resistance seen by the bridges, and

1 ead- res i stance stability. The leads are "tempered" by being placed in good

thermal contact with the series of "thermal tie downs" ("N" of Fig. IV. 21)

shown in detail in Figure IV. 24. The manganin leads and copper leads for

thermocouples and heaters, respectively, exit through a hard wax seal at (C)

101
the top of the cryostat and then join to heavier copper leads. The external

copper leads are thermally insulated to minimize both the temperature change

of the leads and any possible gradient change between leads. The resistance

of the copper sections of the leads and those of the manganin sections of the

leads were separately adjusted for common equality to maintain the lead

balance with changing room temperature. The thermometer leads are connected

to the bridge through selector switches that employ either mercury-wetted

contacts or multiple all-silver contacts in parallel.

The cryostat is constructed so that the central core, including the

copper comparison block, is stationary while the remainder of the cryostat

assembly may be lowered to expose the block for thermometer installation or removal. The only seals required for sealing the cryostat are at room

temperature and consist of simple Viton "0" rings (E).

The cryostat proper (Figure IV. 21) is surrounded with the usual

arrangement - an inner Dewar flask (M), which contains liquid helium, guarded

by an outer Dewar flask (not shown) that contains liquid nitrogen. During the

initial cool down, the inner Dewar is filled with liquid nitrogen and the

liquid nitrogen vapor pressure is reduced to about 1/3 atmosphere. The vacuum

can (0) of the cryostat is filled with ^He gas to a pressure of about 0.1 torr

to facilitate the cooling; under such conditions, the thermometer block cools

to about 65 K in approximately 12 hours (overnight). The liquid nitrogen

remaining in the inner Dewar is removed by applying a small over-pressure of

He gas which forces the nitrogen out through a 3.2 mm thin-wall stainless

steel tube (not shown) that extends from the Dewar bottom to the room.

(Precooling the cryostat from about 80 K to about 65 K by pumping on liquid

nitrogen reduces the liquid helium required for cooling by about 2 liters.)

Six or seven liters of liquid helium are usually required to cool the

apparatus from 65 K to 4.2 K and to fill the inner helium Dewar.

IV. 4. Resistance Measurement System

The resistance measurement system consists of (1) a Guildline Instruments

Direct Current Comparator Resistance Bridge, Model 9975, used with a Rosa

precision resistor as the reference resistor; (2) an automatic resistance24 25 thermometer bridge ' operating at 15 or 30 hz, and using a Vishay precision

102
resistor as the reference resistor; and, (3) a Cromemco micro-computer which

controls operation of the automatic bridge.

IV. 4. a. Direct current comparator resistance bridge

GENERAL DESCRIPTION (From the Guideline Instruments Direct Current Comparator

Resistance Bridge, Model 9975, Technical Manual.)

Functional Description

The Guildline Instruments Direct Current Comparator Resistance Bridge,

Model 9975, is an eight decade bridge, with a built-in nanovolt amplifier,

galvanometer and power supply to make precision resistance measurements.

The instrument is designed to measure resistance over the range 0.01 ohms

to 10 megohms; 0.01 ohm to 10 kilohms as a f our- terminal measurement, 1 kilohm

to 10 megohms as a two terminal measurement. Measurement accuracy to

g ±(0.2 ppm of reading + 1 step of dial 8) with a resolution of 1 part in 10 of

full scale is obtainable. In addition to its obvious application to standards

laboratory resistance measurements, the Model 9975 offers versatility in

resistance thermometry; its wide range enables the use of sensors with ^ice

point' resistances from the 0.25 ohm ^gold point' platinum sensors to

germanium and carbon sensors at 10,000 ohms or more. A "double-power" feature

readily checks sensor self-heating and the recorder output is a great

convenience in monitoring the plateau of a freezing point.

The principle of operation of the bridge is based on a technique of

direct current comparison developed at the National Research Council of Canada

2 T 28

under the direction of N. L. Kusters. * The Model 9975 represents the

latest application of this technique for the most accurate and precise

resistance measurement commercially available. The current comparator employs

transformer turns ratio at zero frequency (dc) to achieve a permanent

g linearity of better than a f ew parts in 10 .

103
Specifications

Range

;

Stability:

Dial linearity:

Dial Resolution;

Accuracy

:

0.01 ohm to 10 megohms:

0.01 ohm to 10 kilohms as a four terminal measurement

1 kilohm to 10 megohms as a two terminal measurement

±0.2 ppm of full scale

±0.02 ppm of full scale

±0.01 ppm of full scale

±(0.2 ppm of reading + 1 1 imi tations

.

Note 1 : The accuracy of

measure on its

step of dial 8) within noise

this instrument depends in some

environment. For optimum results,

the recommendations contained in the Instrument

Society of America paper ISA RP52.1 (Recommended

Environments for Standards Laboratories) for

Echelon II laboratories should be observed.

Noise;

Voltage < 1 nanovolt or

10

-9

(Current in the standard resistor) x (the value

of the standard resistor (ohms))

Current: <0.3 microampere- turns or

0.3 X lo"^

Current in the standard resistor

Test Currents: From internal supply, 30 volts compliance: 0.001, 0.003,

0.01, 0.03, 0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, 10, 30 and 100 mA.

All currents may be multiplied by /2 (double power), to

'

' 1 00 mA maximum.

Accuracy: ±1 .5%

Stability: ±0.5?

Terminals are provided for external supply with

compliance to 300 volts.

Current Reversal: Manual/Automatic, switch selectable at periods of

4 , 8 , or 1 6 seconds

.

Terminals are provided to supply a current reversing

signal to a programmable external supply.

Detector

Time Constant: 0.3> 1 or 3 seconds, switch selectable.

104
Recorder Output 0-10 volts at 1 mA maximum.

Dimensions

:

20" wide x 15" high x I9V2" deep (51 x 38 x 50 cm)

Weight

:

95 lbs. (43 kg)

Line Power: 115 volts, 60 Hz or 230 volts, 50 Hz, 100 watts maximum

Fuse: 2 Ampere, located below line plug on rear of cabinet.

Relative

Humidity: 35% to 55^. These limits must be observed to maintain

specified accuracy.

Operating Parameter Selection

Table IV. 1 is used to select the voltage, current and power dissipated in

the standard and unknown resistors and to determine the accuracy of a measurement. Note that the absolute accuracy of the instrument is always

±(0.2 ppm of reading + 1 step of dial 8) although the noise voltage and

current may be large enough to cause more uncertainty than this. Use the

equations given below to calculate the apparent accuracy for unknown

resistances not given in the table.

-9

Resolution limit of voltage noise in ppm = j. ^ {IM .2)

s s where I^ is the current in the standard resistor in amperes.

R is the standard resistor value in ohms.

Resolution limit of current noise in ppm = 3 x 10 /I x 10 (IV. 3) 3

Apparent accuracy = (IV. 2) + (IV. 3) (IV. 4)

THEORY OF OPERATION

Direct Current Comparator

The Direct Current Comparator is a multiple winding toroidal transformer

device (Figure IV. 25a) in which the primary and secondary windings carry

direct currents and in which modulator and detector windings are used for the

detection of dc flux in the core. When the primary and secondary ampere-turns

105
are equal and opposite there is zero resultant do flux in the core. This

balance condition can be detected by modulation of the core permeability using

the principle of the second harmonic modulator [Figure IV. 25(b)] The

amplitude of the double frequency positive and negative voltage peaks induced

in the detection windings are compared by a peak detector. The dc output of

the detector is proportional to their difference. The presence of dc flux in

the cores due to primary-secondary ampere-turns unbalance is indicated by the

detector output both in magnitude and polarity.

Direct Current Comparator Bridge

Conventional methods of comparison of four terminal resistors involve a comparison of voltage drops when the same current passes through both

resistors. The ratio of resistance is obtained from the ratio of voltages.

This applies in a potentiometric comparison of resistors or in a conventional

bridge configuration such as the Kelvin bridge.

In the potentiometric method, at balance no current flows in the

measuring leads and lead resistance is therefore unimportant. Resolution and

accuracy are limited by (and cannot be better than) the stability of the

currents in the tested resistors and in the potentiometer.

On the other hand, the Kelvin bridge method is sensitive to the

resistance of measuring leads but current stability is unimportant. Both

potentiometric and Kelvin bridge methods suffer from the disadvantage that

when scaling resistors in decade steps the same current must be passed through

both resistors and the greatest power is dissipated in the largest resistance.

The Direct Current Comparator Bridge is not sensitive to measuring lead

resistance, it does not require current stability and when scaling resistors,

the greatest power is dissipated in the smallest resistance.

In the conventional Kelvin bridge [Figure IV. 26(a)], the same current is

passed through both resistors and the resulting voltage drops are in the same

ratio as the resistance values. The resistance ratio is obtained from the

voltage ratio.

In the conjugate Kelvin bridge [Figure IV. 26(b)] which is obtained by

interchanging the positions of the current source and the detector, different

currents flow in the two resistors to produce equal and opposite voltage

106
drops. The ratio of resistors can now be obtained from the ratio of currents

if a suitable device is available for measurement of the current ratio. The

Direct Current Comparator is such a device.

Basic Operation

The two resistors to be compared are supplied from different current

sources (Figure IV. 27) and the ratio of the two currents is measured when the

voltage drops across the two resistors are equal and opposite. One or both of

the direct current sources can be adjusted until the voltages across the

resistors are equal. This balance condition is indicated by the galvanometer

G. The current comparator is then used to obtain an ampere-turn balance

between the primary and secondary windings by adjustment of the variable turns

N until zero dc flux exists in the core. This zero flux condition is sensed

X by the detector D. When G = 0,

e = e

s X

I R = 1 R

S S XX

R I

s X

When detector D indicates zero dc flux in the core:

IN = I N

S S XX

I N

S X

I ~ N

X S

From (IV. 5) and (IV. 6)

(IV. 6)

R I N

X S X R " I " N

S X S

107
and

s

This simple bridge would have the disadvantage of requiring simultaneous

manual balances for both voltage and ampere- turns . In such an arrangement

highly stable current supplies would be essential. In a practical form of the

bridge (Figure IV. 28) the requirement for two simultaneous balances and the

need for highly stable supplies are eliminated by making the ampere-turn

balance automatic. The output from the detector winding is used to control

the current in the secondary winding so that the zero flux condition in the

core, i.e. an ampere-turn balance, is maintained. The only manual balancing

operation now required is adjustment of the primary turns dial until the

primary and secondary currents produce equal voltages across the compared

resistors as indicated by the galvanometer G.

At balance, no current flows in the potential leads and the Direct

Current Comparator Bridge thus possesses the principal advantage of the

pot ent i ometri c system but, at the same time, because of the automatic ampereturns balance, there is no necessity for current stability. In addition to

having the advantages of both the pot en t i ometri c and bridge methods, the

Direct Current Comparator Bridge adds a unique advantage in that the ratio of

power dissipation in the compared resistors is the inverse of the ratio of

resistance. In the potentiometric and Kelvin bridge methods of conmparison of

resistors, the same current flows through both (Figure IV. 29).

. , P = I^R and P = I^R

S S X X

The ratio of power is :

P I^R R

s _ s _ _s

X I R X

X

The greatest power is dissipated in the largest resistance

(IV. 8)

108
In the Direct Current Comparator Bridge, different currents flow in the

two resistors to produce the same voltage across each:

s and

(IV. 9)

The greatest power is now dissipated in the smallest resistance.

The Model 9975 Resistance Bridge is a 10:1 ratio bridge with a fixed 1000

turns on the standard (R^) side and the 10,000 turns variable on eight decades

on the measured (R^) side.

R N P X _ X _ 10 _ s R " N ~ 1 ~ P s s X

The smallest power is dissipated in the measured resistor or thermometer.

The Thermometer Bridge Figures IV. 30 and IV. 31 show block diagrams of the bridge circuits for

the < 10 kfi and > 10 kO. modes, respectively. Figure IV. 32 shows a simplified

schematic diagram of the bridge circut in the < 10 kfi mode. Current from the

reversible constant current supply flows in the variable turns and through

the thermometer or measured resistor R . A second current flows in the fixed

X number of turns N and in the reference resistor R . s s For the bridge to be in balance, both the net ampere- turns imposed on the

comparator cores (indicated on an ampere-turn balance meter (ATB)) and the

difference between the voltages across the thermometer element and the

reference resistor (as measured by a galvanometer (G)) must not change as both

currents are reversed.

Single balance operation is achieved by making the ampere-turn balance

automatic as described above and by proportionate summing of the residual

ampere-turn balance signal and the output of the photocell galvanometer

ampl if ier

.

109
Automatic balance of the net ampere- turns is achieved by means of an open-loop control, which gives coarse balance. The open-loop control is

provided by an ampere-turn tracking signal generator, whose output is

proportional to the ampere-turns on the thermometer side of the bridge. This

circuit causes a current to flow in the reference side to keep the net ampereturns at approximately zero. The closed-loop control, from the magnetic

modulator and peak detector, tends to keep the net ampere-turn unbalance at zero

.

To permit the residual unbalance signals to be summed, the galvanometer

photocell amplifier output and the residual output from the ampere-turn

balance detector are connected to the imput of a summing amplifier. Feedback

from the photocells to the galvanometer is obtained by magnetic coupling in

the comparator through the 10-turn winding. If the galvanometer is deflected,

current flows in the 10-turn winding to impose ampere-turns on the comparator

proportional to the galvanometer deflection. The automatic ampere-turn

balance circuit then causes a compensating current to flow in winding and

resistor R^. Ampere-turn and voltage balance are restored and acts as the

feedback resistor of the galvanometer.

Galvanometer offset may occur due to (a) a change in the variable number

of turns (N^) on the comparator or (b) due to a thermal emf in the potential

leads of the thermometer and standard resistor or a mechanical offset of the

galvanometer

.

NOISE LEVEL LIMITATION

a) Voltage Noise

Voltage noise limits the resolution at 1 nanovolt. It is expressed in

proportional parts of the voltage across the resistors:

. - -9

Voltage noise limit = — IKs s

where I is the current through the standard resistor R , e.g., if

s s

R = 10 ft and I =10 milliampere, then:

s s

110
-9

10 V "~8 Voltage noise limit = —— = 10 or 0.01 ppm

10 X 10

b ) Current Noise

Current noise limits the resolution at 0.3 mi or oampere- turns . It is

expressed in proportional parts of ampere- turns in the comparator:

_r

r V

. n-.^ 0.3X10AT

Current noise limit =

I X 1000 turns

s

where I^ is the current through the standard resistor and AT is the ampereturns, e.g.,

if I^ = 10 milliampere, then

n - • 1

• • ^ 0.3 X 10"^ AT 3 X

10""^

Current noise limit = —— r = 10~ X 10^ turns

= 3 X 10 or 0.03 ppm.

IV. 4. b. Automatic resistance-thermometer bridge

An automatic res i stance- thermometer bridge was developed by R. D.

24 25 Cutkosky at the National Bureau of Standards ' This instrument contains a five-stage transformer and five temperature-regulated 10-ohm internal

resistance standards arranged as in Figure IV. 33- A multiplexer is provided

for selecting one of four external resistors for measurement. The instrument

is operated by a microprocessor that controls the generation of the 15 Hz or 30 Hz square waves used to excite the bridge and the iteration process used to

balance the bridge by manipulating the detector gain and the 22 relays that

determine the bridge transformer ratio. The microprocessor also controls the

selection of measuring current (1, 2, 4, or 8 mA), frequency (15 or 30 Hz),

and multiplexer port, either from the front panel, or remotely through an IEEE

488 bus. The bridge reading at balance and the measuring conditions are displayed locally with LED indicators, and can also be sent out on the IEEE

488 bus. The basic bridge has a range of -0.125 ohm to 31.875 ohms, a

111
resolution of 1 microhm, and an accuracy limited by the resolution or to one

7 part in 10 . The speed of the measurement is dependent upon many factors, but

generally ranges between 6 seconds at the highest current and 30 seconds at

the lowest.

Basic Bridge Operating Principles

The bridge circuit, Figure IV. 33, is a simple extension of a three-stage,

29 Moo Hz circuit developed at the National Physical Laboratory in England.

For the five-stage case, with each standard resistor impedance equal to z and

each transformer impedance equal to Z, the effective bridge ratio differs from

5 the transformer turns ratio by a factor of 1+(z/Z) . For the basic 32-ohm 5-7 5 bridge, z = 10 ohms, and at 15 Hz, (z/Z) = 10 . Since (z/Z) is neglegible at

7 30 Hz, a frequency dependence of about one part in 10 may be expected.

In addition to adjusting the standard resistors to equality, the

capacitances shunting the upper two stages of the transformer are constrained

also so that they are independent of the transformer ratio. This requirement

led to the introduction of a multiply shielded transformer with active guards,

according to the scheme indicated in Figure IV. 3^.

Operation at a powerline subharmonic effectively suppresses most, but not

all, of the powel ine-related interference. The small remaining effects were

eliminated by periodically reversing the phase of the generator, and

subtracting the accumulated detector indications so produced. It was found

that the random variations in the results could be reduced by controlling the

generator and detector timing through interrupts derived from the

microprocessor crystal oscillator, with occasional resynchroni zati on from the

powerline zero-crossing detector. The finished instrument, which contains a rather low-gain detector-amplifier driving an integrator, is far less

sensitive to powerline interference than conventional ac bridges, and has been

used to measure thermometers while they were being treated in an SCR-driven

annealing furnace.

A number of minor changes have been made in the basic bridge since the

prototype was completed. New low-noise operational amplifiers and better

detector filtering circuitry have in some cases reduced the standard deviation

of a single measurement below 1 microhm, the least count of the bridge. A

112
revised microprocessor program is available that when substituted for the

standard program will return an extra digit on the 488 bus. Some other

program changes have also been made to both versions of the program. Finally,

the basic bridge has been provided with a revised active guard circuit that

30 better controls the thermometer guard potential, and that also contains

circuitry to compensate f or a small nonlinearity that was found to be present

in the 100-ohm bridge, as well as in the basic bridge if the cores used in the

main transformer have insufficient permeability. The new circuit also

contains networks for reducing the errors that were formerly caused by very

large thermometer lead resistances.

100-OHM BRIDGE

The basic bridge has been used extensively at NBS in the development of

low-resistance thermometers for use up to 1064 °C. Modified bridges for use with conventional 25-ohm thermometers, and which measure resistance up to

101.1 ohms, have been built by changing the internal standard resistors to

31.738 ohms, restricting the bridge frequency to 30 Hz only, and suitably

changing the microprocessor program. These instruments provide measuring

currents of 0.5, 1, 2, or 4 mA, and display balances with a least count of 1 microhm, with standard deviations for a single measurement of about 2 microhms. Higher precision can be obtained by averaging several measurements,

but the bridge accuracy should not generally be relied upon to better than one

-7

part in 10

Increasing the resistance range of the basic bridge was difficult because

of the way in which the bridge errors depend upon the standard resistor

5 impedances, z, and the transformer impedances, Z. The deviation (z/Z) is

troublesome because it is frequency dependent and may vary with time and

temperature. The standard resistor impedances were increased by about a factor of three to increase the bridge range to 100 ohms, which is not quite

compensated by doubling the lowest operating frequency of the bridge, and

5 hence doubling Z. A factor of (1.5) , or about 8, is left as the factor by

which the deviation of 0.1 part per million in the basic bridge may be

expected to increase. This deviation causes no error if it is stable, since

the 100-ohm bridge operates at a single frequency. It can be monitored and

113
compensated by occasionally measuring a standard resistor with the bridge and

working with resistance ratios. One of the multiplexer ports is normally

reserved for this purpose for all of the automatic bridges.

. ' 'it

IV. 4. c. Precision resistors

'A Rosa resistor (or resistors) is used with the Guildine Instruments

Direct Current Comparator Resistance Bridge. A Vishay resistor is used with

the Automatic Resistance-Thermometer Bridge.

IV. 5. Computer System for Analysis of Calibration Data

After the calibration data are obtained, the analysis of the data (i.e.,

the calculations of the coefficients of equations relating the resistance of

the SPRT to temperature) is performed on an IBM AT computer.

114
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115
Figure IV. 1. Holder for capsule- type platinum resistance thermometers.

Calibration measurements are performed in the holder at the triple point

of water, the tin point, and the normal boiling point of oxygen.

, ^ A. Elastomer tubing to helium gas source.

B. Thin (0.005") wall stainless steel tubing for purging the holder with

helium gas before the vacuum tubing connector (I) is sealed.

C. Leads to measurement equipment (resistance bridge).

D. Sections of mechanical tie-down (brass) , soldered to the stainless

purge tube, for guiding and fastening the incoming thermometer leads.

E. Hard wax for holding and sealing the 0.005" gold leads that extend

down to the thermometer.

F. "0" ring vacuum seal to brass tube (H).

G. Thin wall stainless steel tube (7/16" o.d.) closed at the bottom.

H. Brass tube with lead seal at top and vacuum tubing connector (I) at

the bottom.

I. Vacuum tubing connector for sealing the tube (G).

J. Polytetrafluoroethylene plastic lead spacers.

K. Insulated gold leads (4) passing through holes close to the outer

diameter of the spacers (J) to attain good tempering. The lead

insulation (not shown) is polytetrafluoroethylene tubing cut into a helix and held in tension to eliminate buckling. The four gold leads

are welded at the bottom end to short sections of platinum leads.

L. Thin polytetrafluoroethylene sheet rolled into a cylinder to insulate

the exposed leads (near the connections to the capsule thermometer)

against the stainless steel tubing.

M. Connections between the short sections of platinum leads of the

holder and the platinum leads of the capsule thermometer.

N. Capsule thermometer.

0. Aluminum sleeve to fit the thermometer and the stainless steel tube.

The sleeve reduces the external heating effect of the thermometer.

116
117
Figure IV. 2. Water triple-point cell in an ice bath.

A. Heavy black felt shield against ambient radiation.

B. Polyethylene tube for guiding the SPRT into the thermometer well.

C. Water Vapor.

- D. Borosilicate glass cell.

E. Water from ice bath.

F. Thermometer well (precision bore)

.

G. Ice Mantle.

H. Air-free water.

I. Aluminum bushing with internal taper at upper end to guide the SPRT

into the close-fitting inner bore.

J. Polyurethane sponge.

K. Finely divided ice and water.

118
119
Figure IV. 3. Binary phase diagram of a system that is completely miscible in

both solid and liquid phases. The solidus and liquidus curves represent

composition, respectively, of the solid and liquid phases that can coexist in equilibrium. The left side of the diagram shows that the

solute concentration in the solid phase in less than that in the liquid

phase, i.e., k < 1. The right side of the diagram, on the other hand,

shows that the solute concentration in the solid phase is greater than

that in the liquid phase, i.e., k > 1.

120
TEMPERATURE

D

121
gure IV. 4. Enlargement of a binary phase diagram in the region of high

purity of each component. The solute distribution coefficient k is taken

to be constant. Figure (a) represents a phase diagram when k < 1 and

figure (b) when k > 1. The heavy lines on the liquidus and solidus curves represent compositions of the liquid and solid phases during the

equilibrium freezing process. The dashed lines beginning at in (a)

and in (b) and extending downward represent the average compositions

of the solid phases during semi-equilibrium freezing processes. The

composition of the solid at the freezing interface is represented by the

solidus curve and that of the liquid phase in equilibrium with the

freezing interface is represented by the liquidus curve. The solute

distribution coefficient may not be constant over the entire range of

fraction frozen for a semi-equilibrium freeze; therefore, Eq. (IV. 1) may

not be valid when g approaches unity.)

122
123
Figure IV. 5. Comparison of computed freezing curves for equilibrium and seraiequilibrium freezing processes of a completely miscible (in solid and

liquid phases) binary system with constant solute distribution

coefficient (k = 0.4). The solid line represents the equilibrium

freezing process and the dashed line the semi-equilibrium freezing

process. In the equilibrium freezing process, the temperature, when the

last trace of liquid freezes, is shown to be depressed one unit for the

"sample"; the temperature, when the first solid freezes, is shown to be

depressed 0.4 units. The freezing curve for the semi-equilibrium

freezing process is shown relative to that of the equilibrium freezing

process. The solute distribution coefficient may not be constant over the entire range of fraction frozen for a semi-equilibrium freeze;

therefore, Eq. (IV. 1) may not be valid when g approaches unity.)

124
RELATIVE DEPRESSION OF FREEZING POINT

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125
Figure IV. 6. Comparison of relative solute concentrations of the solid phase

at the freezing interface during equilibrium and semi-equilibrium

freezing processes of a completely miscible (in solid and liquid) binary

system with constant solute distribution coefficient k. Curves are given

for various values of solute distribution coefficient. The solid curves represent equilibrium freezing processes and the dashed curves represent

semi-equilibrium freezing processes. (The solute distribution

coefficient may not be constant over the entire range of fraction frozen

for semi-equilibrium freezes; therefore, Eq. (IV. 1) may not be valid when

g approaches unity.)

126
RELATIVE SOLUTE CONCENTRATION IN SOLID, S/L,

127
Figure IV. 7. Dependence of solute concentration upon the freezing rate.

(a) The concentration of solute in the region near the freezing

interface during an equilibrium freeze with the solid-liquid

interface advancing at a negligible rate. There are no concentration gradients in either liquid or solid phases.

(b) The solute concentration near the interface during a non-equil ibrium

freeze with the interface advancing rapidly relative to the rate of

diffusion of the solute in the liquid. The solute concentration in

the liquid at the interface increases until at steady state the flow

of solute from the freezing liquid to the liquid at the interface

equals the flow away from the liquid at the interface to the bulk of

the liquid. The solute concentration of the frozen solid is shown

to be increasing with the advancing interface.

(c) The solute distribution in the frozen solid approached by a very

rapid freeze. The curve shows the initial transient rise of solute

concentration of the solid to that corresponding to the solute

distribution coefficient of unity.

i

128
129
Figure IV. 8. Metal freezing-point cell.

A. Platinum resistance thermometer.

B. To helium gas supply and pressure gauge.

C. Thermometer stem seal with silicone rubber.

D. Silicone rubber cap.

E. Insulation, washed Fiberfrax.

F. Thermometer guide tube, borosilicate glass.

G. Heat shunt, graphite.

H. Borosilicate glass cell.

I. Graphite cap (lid).

J. Graphite thermometer well.

K. Metal sample.

L. Graphite crucible.

M. Insulation, Fiberfrax paper.

130
131
Figure IV. 9. Arrangement for filling the freezing-point cell with metal

sample by induction heating.

A. Borosilicate glass envelope.

B. Metal sample.

C. Graphite sample holder and funnel.

D. Graphite crucible.

E. Induction heater coils.

F. "0" ring groove.

G. Borosilicate glass stand.

H. Slot for pumping and for gas purging.

I, Connection to vacuum and purified argon supply.

132
133
gure IV. 10. Apparatus and method for installing graphite thermometer well

and lid in the graphite crucible containing the molten metal freezingpoint sample.

A. Stainless steel pusher rod.

B. Gas seal with silicone rubber. Permits linear motion of the pusher

rod (A).

C. Inlet for purified helium gas that is used in purging and maintaining

positive pressure of the gas during assembly.

D. Silicone rubber cap.

E. Stainless steel flange attached to the pusher rod for pressing

against the graphite lid during assembly.

F. Graphite lid for the metal sample cell.

G. Slit on the pusher rod. The two halves are sprung out to hold the

graphite thermometer well and lid while melting the metal sample.

H. Graphite thermometer well.

I. Borosilicate glass tube.

J. Section of glass tube shrunk to fit the crucible and lid so that lid

can be easily guided onto the crucible.

K. Graphite crucible.

L. Molten metal sample.

134
135
gure IV. 11. A freezing curve of tin obtained using an ac bridge with the

head of the SPRT adapted for coaxial connectors. The furnace was controlled to be 0.9 K below the tin freezing-point temperature. The mass of tin sample was 1300 g.

136
THERMOMETER RESISTANCE, ohms

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i-NO _p:i cr> cjo <^ -P^ cr> oo cz5 rN:> -P^ THERMOMETER RESISTANCE, 48.230xx, ohms

137
Figure IV. 12. Consecutive measurements of the resistance of an SPRT in the same tin freeze. An ac bridge was employed in the measurements.

Following each equilibrium resistance observation, the SPRT was completely withdrawn from the tin-point cell, preheated close to the tin

point in an auxiliary furnace, and reinserted into the cell. The data

show that the preheated SPRT comes to equilibrium in a very short time.

In two of the cases shown, the temperature of the SPRT when inserted into

the cell was slightly above the tin point. (For comparison with when an SPRT was not preheated close to a cell temperature, see Fig. IV. 16)

138
139
Figure IV. 13. Immersion characteristics of an SPRT in a tin-point cell. The

data show that the indications of the SPRT are very nearly the same between about 8 or 1 0 cm above the bottom and the bottom of the

thermometer well.

140
OBSERVED RELATIVE TEMPERATURE, mK

p p O

o

3

141
gure IV. 14. Comparison of tin freezing-point temperatures (determined from

plateaux) for cells with various resistance ratios R(0 °C)/R(4.2 K). The

prefixes 5 and 6 indicate samples nominally 99.999 percent pure (Lot No.

6637) and samples nominally 99.9999 percent pure (Lot No. 6779),

respectively. The alphabetic character identifies the cell. The prime

(') identifies a second set of measurements on the same cell. LAB.STD.

is a tin-point cell that was used for more than four years at the NBS in

the calibration of SPRTs. Observations from four separate freezes are shown for each cell. The plateau temperature selected was the reading

1.5 hours after the initiation of the freeze; the temperature

corresponded to that of a sample about 25 percent frozen. The

temperatures of the SPRT during the previous hour differed typically

0.00002 K or 0.00003 K but never more than 0.0001 K from the selected

temperatures of any measurements. The observed plateau temperatures are shown relative to the mean value obtained for tin-point cells 6C and 6E.

Cell 6M was accidentally overheated above 500 °C before the measurements.

Only two measurements were obtained for cell 6K. (Resistance ratio

measurements were made by R. L. Powell at the Boulder Laboratories of the

National Bureau of Standards.)

142
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143
Figure IV. 15. A freezing curve of zinc obtained using an ac bridge. The head

of the SPRT had been adapted for coaxial connectors. The furnace was controlled at 0.9 K below the zinc point. The mass of zinc sample was

1280 g. Two cold SPRTs were inserted in the cell at "B" to freeze a coating of zinc around the graphite thermometer well.

144
THERMOMETER RESISTANCE , ohms

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THERMOMETER RESISTANCE , 65.56 xx.ohms

145
gure IV. 16. Consecutive measurements of the resistance of an SPRT in the same zinc freeze. An ac bridge was employed in the measurements.

Following each equilibrium resistance observation, the SPRT was completely withdrawn from the zinc-point cell, exposed to the ambient

temperature for one minute, and reinserted into the cell. In the actual

procedure employed in calibration, the SPRT is preheated close to the

zinc point (see text). The data show that the SPRT comes rapidly to

equilibrium even when inserted into the cell relatively cold. (For

comparison with when an SPRT was preheated, see Fig. IV. 12).

146
RESISTANCE

147
Figure IV. 17. Immersion characteristics of an SPRT in a zinc-point cell. The

data show that the indications of the SPRT are very nearly the same

I between about 8 or 10 cm above the bottom and at the bottom of the

thermometer well.

148
OBSERVED RELATIVE TEMPERATURE, mK

P P o

OJ ro — o

149
Figure IV. 18. Cryostat for comparison calibration of thermometers with

reference standards at the oxygen normal boiling point.

A. Thermometer well; eight wells are located around the copper block.

The SPRTs are sealed at the top with molded silicone rubber.

. • B. Tube to vacuum pump to draw liquid nitrogen through cooling tubes.

C. Tube to helium gas supply.

D. Manifold for distributing helium gas to the thermometer wells.

E. Envelope (brass).

' F. Radiation shields (copper).

G. Liquid nitrogen.

H. Liquid oxygen. (Not employed in comparison calibrations.)

I. Vapor-pressure tube, to differential pressure diaphragm and

manometer

.

J. High vacuum line.

K. Valve to control the liquid nitrogen input for cooling.

L. Top heat shields, to control thermometer well and thermometer stem

temperatures.

M. Heaters.

N. Cooling tubes (thin-wall Monel).

0. Oxygen bulb.

P. Copper block.

150
151
Figure IV. 19. Schematic of furnace body and core.

A. Stainless steel tube, 11.^ cm o.d. x 0.76 mm wall.

B. Stainless steel tubes (6); 3-20 mm o.d. x 0.013 mm wall.

C. Insulation, Fiberfrax mats.

D. Stainless steel tube.

E. Insulation, Fiberfrax mats and mica sheets.

F. Control heaters for top core block.

G. Top core block.

H. Sleeve (aluminum or Inconel) for metal freezing-point cell.

I. Location of thermocouple junction (Chromel-P/Alumel) , top core block.

J. Insulation, Fiberfrax sheets.

K. Brass shell, 4.8 mm thick.

L. Center core block.

M. Insulation, bulk Fiberfrax.

N. Location of thermocouple junction (Chromel-P/Alumel ), center core block

.

0. Main heaters, held on with Inconel "garters".

P. "Spider" for centering the freezing-point cell.

Q. Center core block end plate.

R. Insulation, Fiberfrax sheets.

S. Location of thermocouple junction (Chromel-P/Alumel ) bottom core block

.

T. Bottom core block.

U. Control heaters for bottom core block.

V. Insulation, Fiberfrax mats and mica sheets.

W. Stainless steel tube support, 2.5 cm o.d. x 0.51 mm wall x 11.4 cm

long.

X. Heater leads.

Y. Posts for heater leads.

Z. To electric power.

a. Wells (B) for control thermocouples (see I, N, and S.)

b. Wells (B) for testing the temperature profile of furnace core.

c. Leads from top core block heaters.

152
153
Figure IV. 20. Vertical temperature profile of tin-point furnace at 235 °C.

The vertical distances are relative to the top of the top core block; the

thermometer resistances are relative to that observed at 25.4 cm from the

top of the top core block (close to the center of the center core block.)

The resistance of the thermometer at the reference temperature was about

95 ^. The resistance thermometer (2.8 mm diameter x 2.0 cm long) sensed

the average temperature of a section of well about 2 cm long.

154
TIN- POINT FURNACE

TEST TEMPERATURE : 235 °C

cm m

0

20

o 24

Q_o

28

32

36

40 -

44 -

48

52

10

12

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16

20

O CD

LlJ

o

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o[-

h-o

CD 1

o

m

O X oxOXD OD

OD

REFERENCE

TEMPERATURE'

CDMo

Mo

0.1 °C

TEMPERATURE CONTROL SETTINGS

OF TOP AND BOTTOM END BLOCKS RELATIVE

TO THE CENTER OF THE CENTER BLOCK

AT, °C TOP BOTTOM SYMBOL

0 0 o + 0.2 -0.2 + 0. 1 -0.3 X

X o o

X

-50 50 100 150

MILLIOHMS

155
Figure IV. 21. Cryostat for the intercomparison of capsule-type SPRTs.

A. Guide for directing transfer tube into liquid helium Dewar.

B. Metal bellows to permit differential expansion between the central

tube and the supporting thermometer block well.

C. Exit for the vacuum line and electrical leads to the thermometers,

the thermocouples, and the heater on the copper thermometer block.

D. Supporting shelf.

E. Demountable "0" ring seal to the well around the thermometer block.

F. Well around the thermometer block.

G. Central tube for supporting the thermometer block.

H. Seal for the electrical leads from the vacuum can that surrounds the

shield and lower portion of the thermometer block well.

I. Line from vacuum can "0".

J. Demountable "0" ring seal to the liquid helium Dewar.

K. Glass stopcock to permit evacuation of liquid helium Dewar.

L. Line for pumping the space within the liquid helium Dewar.

M. Liquid helium Dewar.

N. Thermal tie-down for lead wires.

0. Vacuum can that surrounds the lower portion of the thermometer block

well and the thermal shield.

P. Copper sleeve on vacuum can to maintain uniform temperature when

liquid helium level is low.

Q. Thermal tie-down for leads similar to N with a heater and fivejunction Chromel-P/constantan thermocouple for temperature control.

R. Copper ring on the thermometer block well with temperature control

components similar to Q.

S. Heavy copper shield with temperature control components similar to Q.

T. Thermometer lead terminal block of anodized aluminum.

U. Capsule-type platinum resistance thermometers thermally attached to

copper block with vacuum grease.

V. Copper thermometer block with holes for six thermometers.

W. Location of thermocouple junctions placed on shield.

X. Reentrant "thumb" in the bottom of well. "Thumb" contains reference

junctions for thermocouples on R and S.

Y. Heavy copper tail on vacuum can to reach liquid helium at a low

level

.

156
157
Figure IV. 22. Thermometer comparison block.

A. Stainless steel tube to support thermometer comparison block.

B. Manganin leads for thermometers and copper leads for block heater.

C. Platinum leads of resistance thermometer.

D. Stainless steel well for thermometer block.

E. Heater distributed along well "D".

F. Copper thermometer block with wells for six thermometers.

G. Heater for thermometer block.

H. Platinum resistance thermometer.

I. Copper sleeve (attached to central supporting tube) with longitudinal

grooves to serve as thermal tie-downs for managanin leads and

thermocouples

.

J. Brass plug to seal end of central support tube.

K. Location of grooves in sleeve "I".

L. Reference junctions for thermocouples on shield (at "W" in Fig. IV. 21 and thermometer block well ring heater (at "R" in Fig. IV. 21)

M. Closely fitted reentrant copper "thumb" (with a groove for venting

gas).

N. Copper plug with longitudinal grooves to serve as thermal tie-downs

for thermocouples.

0. Vent.

P. Thermocouple leads to shield and thermometer block well ring heater.

158
159
Figure IV. 23. Schematic of wiring capsule-type platinum resistance

thermometers in the copper comparison block of the cryostat for

calibration. To avoid excessive heating of the copper block, the bridge

connections to the thermometers, wired in series, are made as follows:

SPRT Leads Used

1

2

3

STD,

efgh

ijkl

klmn

mnop

A. Cryostat leads.

B. Thermometer connections made among them and with the cryostat leads.

C. Schematic of the copper comparison block.

D. Platinum resistance thermometers. STD^ and STD^ are reference

standards; others are to be calibrated.

160
161
Figure IV. 24. Thermal tie-downs.

A. Central support tube (stainless steel) for thermometer block.

B. Rounded corner, tangent to the bottom of the grooves for wires.

C. Round bottom grooves in cylinder "D" with wires cemented in place.

D. Copper cylinder soldered (tin-lead eutectic) to the central support

tube.

E. Copper cylinder fitted to "D" and held in place by pin "H".

F. Thermocouple tie-down.

G. Spring fingers of beryllium copper heavily silver plated and gold

•.. ,: "flashed" .

•

H. 1.5 mm steel pin to hold cylinder "E" in position.

I. Pan head 2-55 brass screw to clamp thermocouple tie-down assembly to

"E "

.

J. Insulating washer of 0.005 mm Mylar coated with vacuum grease.

K. Copper washer with pre-tinned groove for thermocouple wire.

L. Polyimide- insulated thermocouple wire, placed at the bottom of the

pretinned groove and "potted" in eutectic tin-lead solder.

M. Epoxy insulation on screw.

162
163
Figure IV. 25(a). Current Comparator

164
165
Figure IV. 25(b) . Windings on Cores

166
167
Figure IV. 26(a). Kelvin Bridge

168

Figure IV. 26(b). Conjugate Kelvin Bridge

170

Figure IV. 27. D.C. Comparator Bridge Basic Operation

172
173
Figure IV. 28. D.C. Comparator Bridge with Automatic Ampere-Turn Balance

174
175
Figure IV. 29. Methods of comparison of resistors.

176

Figure IV. 30. Model 9975 Block Diagram; < 10 kJ^ Mode.

178
TRACKING

(7)

CONTROL

II2I6 02

18 VOLT (8j

POWER SUPPLY

11222 02

SQUARE

WAVE

OSCILLATOR

AMP

TURN ( \ ) BALANCE\>-~y/

FLUX (7) DETECTOR^

AMPLIFIER

II2I5 02

SLAVE (i)

CURRENT^

SUPPLY

II2I7 03

CURRENT

MASTER ®

SUPPLY

II22I 02

NANOVOLT (4) DETECTOR^

AMPLIFIER

11216 02

LAMP

VOLTAGE

SUPPLY

11226 01

ERROR

SUMMING

@

AMPLIFIER

11224 02

UNBALANCE®

SIGNAL

DEMODULATOR

II2I9 03

02

o

MASTER (Ti) CURRENT

^

PROGRAMMER

11225 02

MASTER (e)

REVERSING

CONTROL

11220 02

REVERSING

TIMER

11223 02

-o

RECORDER

1

.GALVANOMETER

MODEL 9975

BLOCK DIAGRAM

<IOK MODE

179
Figure IV. 31. Model 9975 Block Diagram; > 10 kfi Mode.

I

i

180
TURN

BALANCE

18 VOLT W

POWER SUPPLY

11222 02

TRACKING

CONTROL

II2I6 02

SLAVE ®

CURRENT

SUPPLY

II2I7 03

SQUARE

WAVE

OSCILLATOR

FLUX (J)

DETECTOR

AMPLIFIER

II2I5 02

ULUJ

CURRENT

MASTER ®

SUPPLY

II22I 02

MASTER (ij) CURRENT

PROGRAMMER

11225 02

MASTER

REVERSING

CONTROL

11220 02

REVERSING

TIMER

11223 02

©

NANOVOLT (5)

DETECTOR NANOVOLT

LAMP (Jz) VOLTAGE

AMPLIFIER DETECTOR SUPPLY

11218 02 11226 01

ERROR < SUMMING

AMPLIFIER

11224 02

10 JNBALANCe(5}

SIGNAL AMPLIFIER

I 1219 03

GALVANOMETER

-O

RECORDER

MODEL 9975

BLOCK DIAGRAM

>IOK MODE

181
Figure IV. 32. Model 9975 Simplified Schematic: < 10 kQ Mode

182
AT. TRACKING SIGNAL GENERATOR

SQUARE

WAVE

OSCILLATOR

MODEL 9975

SIMPLIFIED SCHEMATIC

<IOK MODE

183
ure IV. 33. Simplified circuit for the automatic resistance thermometer

bridge. N. through are 240-turn windings, R. through are nominally equal

\ standard

D resistors, and R^ is the

lb

resistance thermometer

being measured.

18A
STAGE I (INSIDE)

R

R

R

R

M5>

GENERATOR

N N N

STAGE 5

(OUTSIDE)

Nx

N

<z>

DETECTOR

185
Figure IV. 34. Active shield arrangement for the transformer fifth stage.

186
187
V. OPERATIONAL PROCEDURES

When an SPRT is received for calibration, a test folder is prepared for

it and a 3~digit code assigned to that thermometer. A tag containing that

3-digit code is physically attached to the SPRT. The code numbers, running

from 000 to 999, are assigned in numerically ascending order to the

thermometers as they are received for calibration. These codes are easier to use and less likely to result in identification errors than the serial numbers

would be during the actual calibration measurements.

V.I. PRT Calibration Procedure

The calibration protocols for the long-stem and the capsule-type SPRTs

differ substantially and will, therefore, be discussed separately.

V.I. a. Long-stem SPRTs

Unless specifically instructed otherwise by the owner of the SPRT, all

long-stem type SPRTs that are received for calibration at the NBS are first

annealed for about 4 h in a tube furnace held at 450 °C. After annealing, the

SPRTs are removed from the furnace and allowed to cool in the air at the

ambient conditions. The calibration measurements are then obtained at the

fixed points in the following sequence: TPW, zinc point, TPW, tin point, and

TPW. As mentioned earlier, the SPRTs are usually calibrated in groups of

six. The six SPRTs are first successively calibrated at the TPW, then at the

zinc point, and so forth. The calibration at the oxygen normal boiling point

is carried out by the comparison method, employing reference SPRTs which, as mentioned earlier, are periodically checked to be consistent with the oxygen

point maintained on the capsule-type reference SPRTs that are used to maintain

the NBS-IPTS -68(75) scale in the region from 13-81 K to 90.188 K. After the

oxygen normal boiling point calibration, another measurement is made on the

SPRT at the TPW. (Henceforth, for convenience, the four SPRT resistance

readings at the TPW will be referred to as R(TPW)^, R(TPW)^, and R(TPW)^, and

R(TPW)^, respectively, and, when necessary, the values of R(0 °C) obtained

from these values of R(TPW) will be given the corresponding subscripts.)

Whenever the change in the resistance of the SPRT at the TPW is greater than

188
what corresponds to about 0.75 mK during the course of calibration, the

complete calibration process, including the initial annealing at ^50 °C, is

repeated. In some thermometer designs, the changes in the R(TPW) readings

have been found to be on the average greater than in other designs. For these

SPRTs a change in resistance at the TPW corresponding to 1 mK is allowed.

V.l.b. Capsule-type SPRTs

Capsule-type SPRTs are calibrated as received without annealing. The

SPRTs are installed in holders shown schematically in Fig. IV . 1 for

calibration in the TPW cell, in the tin-point cell, and in the oxygen-point

apparatus. Because of possible damage and the electrical leakage across the

metal-glass lead seal at high temperatures, the capsule-type SPRTs are not

calibrated at the zinc point as is routinely done with long-stem type SPRTs.

The capsule-type SPRT (platinum case with soft-glass lead seal) should not be

used at temperatures much higher than about 300 °C. If the SPRT is to be used

between -183 °C and 300 °C, the calibration measurements are made at the fixed

points in the following sequence: TPW, tin point, TPW, oxygen point, and TPW.

When calibration in the range 13 K to 90 K is requested, the measurement

sequence is TPW, tin point, and TPW, followed by comparison calibration

between 13 K and 90 K. If the SPRT is to be used between -50 °C and 300 °C,

the calibration sequence is TPW, tin point, and TPW.

V.2. Temperature Fixed Points Used in Calibration of SPRTs

The temperature fixed points used in the calibration of SPRTs are, (1)

the zinc freezing point, (2) the tin freezing point, (3) the water triple

point, and (4) the oxygen normal boiling point or the argon triple point.

V.2.a. The zinc freezing point

V.2.a.1. Zinc-point cell

The freezing-point cell employed to realize the zinc point is illustrated

in Fig. IV. 8. A bank of such cells assembled from zinc samples (SRM-740) of

greater than 99.9999 percent purity is available for the calibration work.

The freezing points of these zinc-point cells agree within ± 0.1 mK . The

residual resistivity ratios (the ratios of the electrical resistance at 273 K

189
to that at 4 K) of specimens taken from zinc bars from which the SRM 7^0 zinc

samples were prepared ranged from 33,000 to 38,000, indicating that the zinc

samples have very high purity.

The zinc samples were prepared from a starting material that was selected

from a lot of electrolytic zinc of 99.99+ percent purity. The material was

vacuum distilled twice and zone-refined with 20 passes. After the leading and

trailing ends of the zone-refined bars were cropped, they were homogenized and

cast in fused quartz boats in the form of semi cyl i ndri cal bars about 5 cm across the flat side. The bars (approximately 61 cm long) were delivered to

the National Bureau of Standards - Office of Standard Reference Materials

(NBS - OSRM) individually sealed in argon-filled polyethylene bags. The zinc

samples (1250 g) for each of the freezing-point cells were received from the

NBS-OSRM in the form of two half cylinders (each about 8 cm long) sealed in a polyethylene bag. The samples had been cut from the bars with a carbidetipped tool: they were then etched in high-purity dilute nitric acid, rinsed

with distilled water, and air dried.

Because of the relatively high vapor pressure of zinc at its melting

point {about 13 Pa (0.1 torr)}, the zinc samples were melted into the highpurity graphite crucibles by induction heating under purified argon

atmosphere. The graphite thermometer well was then inserted and the cell was assembled in the form shown in Fig. IV. 8.

V.2.a.2. Furnace for the zinc-point cell

The design of the furnace employed with zinc-point cells is shown in

Fig. IV. 19. The furnace core consists of cylindrical blocks of aluminum [top

(G), center or main (L) , and bottom (T)]. The space surrounding the core is

packed with Fiberfrax insulation. The temperature of the center core (L) is

controlled by means of an absolute thermocouple and the main heater (0). The

temperatures of the top (G) and bottom (T) blocks are controlled relative to

the center block temperature by means of differential thermocouples and

heaters [(F) and (U), respectively] in the blocks. The electric power to the

heaters is controlled automatically from the indication of the corresponding

thermocouples

.

190
V.2.a.3. Preparation of zinc-point freeze

Liquid zinc is found to supercool only 0.02 °C to 0.06 °C. On the day

prior to the zinc-point calibration of the PRTs, the furnace control is set at

a temperature about 5 °C above the zinc point and the zinc sample is melted

overnight. The following morning after inserting a monitoring PRT in the

cell, the furnace control is reset to a temperature about 4 °C below the zinc

point. After the PRT indicates that recalescence has occurred and about 10

minutes have passed, the monitoring PRT is removed and two borosilicate glass

rods are inserted successively into the thermometer well for about 3 minutes

each to induce an inner freeze immediately next to the thermometer well.

Also, the furnace control is reset to a temperature 1 °C below the zinc point.

After withdrawing the second borosilicate glass rod, the cold monitoring PRT

is inserted into the thermometer well. By following this procedure, freezes

of 12 to 14 hours durations are obtained. With cells assembled using SRM 740

zinc standard, the change observed in the freezing-point temperature while the

first 50 percent of the zinc is frozen is less than 0.2 mK.

The resistance of the monitoring or check PRT is determined approximately

45 minutes after inserting it cold into the zinc-point cell. (Meanwhile, the

test PRT is being preheated in an auxiliary furnace held about 20 °C above the

zinc point temperature.) After completion of the measurements on the check

PRT, it is removed from the zinc-point cell and the test PRT is withdrawn from

the preheating furnace and quickly inserted into the zinc-point cell so that

the thermometer temperature during the insertion would be slightly below that

of the cell. (The PRT is inserted slightly colder than the cell temperature

to avoid melting and loosening the solid zinc mantle around the thermometer

well.) When the PRT is preheated to a temperature close to that of the cell

temperature, it reaches temperature equilibrium within a few minutes (see

Fig. IV. 16). The resistance readings of the test PRT are started about 15

minutes after inserting it into the zinc-point cell. (Meanwhile, the second

test PRT is being preheated in the auxiliary furnace.) After completion of

the measurements on the first test PRT, it is replaced in the zinc-point cell

by the second test PRT. A maximum of six test PRTs are calibrated in any

single zinc freeze. After the last test PRT is calibrated, it is replaced

with the preheated check PRT. This second reading with the check PRT must not

191
differ from the first reading by more than 0.5 mK : if the difference is

larger, measurements on some of the test PRTs that were calibrated last are repeated using another zinc freeze. The test PRTs on which the measurements

are to be repeated are decided on the basis of the elapsed time since the

start of the freeze and the change in the freezing-point temperature that is

observed with the check PRT.

Because of the effect of the hydrostatic head of liquid zinc, the

temperature at the height where the mid-point of the PRT sensor is located in

the zinc-point cell is slightly hotter than the equilibrium freezing

temperature of zinc at 1 atmosphere pressure as defined in the IPTS-68(75).

(The effect of the hydrostatic head is 27 \xK per cm of liquid zinc.) For the

NBS zinc-point cell, the height of the liquid zinc column above the mid-point

of the sensor is 18 cm: therefore, the temperature at the height of the midpoint of the PRT sensor is 419.5805 °C.

V.2.b. The tin freezing point - The equilibrium state between the solid and liquid phases of tin at 1 standard atmosphere (231.9681 °C, referred to as the freezing point of tin or the tin point) is an alternative to the normal boiling point of water (steam

point) as a defining fixed point on the IPTS -68(75). Prior to 1966, the steam

point was maintained at the NBS for the calibration of PRTs; since 1966,

however, the tin point has been maintained instead of the steam point.

V.2.b.1 . Tin-point cell

The freezing-point cell employed to realize the tin point is designed

similarly to the zinc-point cell (see Fig. IV. 8). A bank of tin-point cells

assembled from tin samples (SRM 741) of nominally 99.9999 percent purity is

available for the calibration work. The freezing points of these cells agree

to within ± 0.1 mK. The residual resistivity ratios of specimens taken from

tin bars from which SRM 741 tin samples were prepared varied from 28,000 to

43,000, indicating that the tin samples have very high purity.

The tin samples were prepared by initially electrolyzing commercially

refined tin and zone refining the electrolyzed product by at least 20 zone

passes. The purified samples were homogenized and cast into semi-cylindrical

192
bars about 5 cm across the flat side and about 60 cm long. Each of the tin

samples ( 1 300 g each) were received from the NBS-OSRM in the form of two half

cylinders (each about 10 cm long) sealed in a polyethylene bag. The samples

had been cut from the bars with a carbi de- ti pped tool. To remove surface

contamination, they were etched first in HO percent hydrochloric acid solution

and then in a solution of 40 percent hydrochloric acid plus 10 percent nitric

acid. Following this etch, they were washed in distilled water, then in ethyl

alcohol and then air dried.

The tin samples were melted into high-purity graphite crucibles by

induction heating under high vacuum. (The vapor pressure of tin at its

- 2

1

melting point is estimated to be about 6x10 Pa.) The graphite

thermometer well was then inserted and the cell was assembled in the form

similar to that of the zinc cell shown in Fig. IV. 8.

V.2.b.2. Furnace for the tin-point cell

The design of the furnace employed with the tin-point cell is the same as that used with the zinc-point cell (see Fig. IV. 19). Initially the sleeve (H)

for enhancing the thermal contact between the heat shunts (G, Fig. IV. 8) of

the tin-point cell and the furnace was aluminum; however, in recent years an Inconel sleeve, similar to that used in the zinc-point furnace, has been used

in the tin-point furnace.

V.2.b.3. Preparation of the tin-point freeze

Liquid tin has been found to supercool as much as 25 °C, depending upon

the temperature and length of time the metal was allowed to remain melted.

Impurities (e.g., Fe) seem to reduce the degree of supercool. If the freeze were initiated with the tin-point cell in the furnace, the furnace block

temperature could not then be raised fast enough to avoid excessive freezing

of tin. Therefore, the tin freeze is initiated by employing the "outside

nucleated freeze" technique. The tin sample is melted overnight in the

furnace held at a temperature about 3 °C above the freezing point. In the

morning, after inserting a monitoring PRT in the thermometer well, the furnace

control is reset to a temperature 1 °C below the tin point. (A different

193
monitoring PRT is used with the tin-point cell from that used with the zincpoint cell, so that any possible effect on the PRT when used at another fixed

point is avoided. As with the zinc-point cell, the monitoring PRT used with

the tin-point cell serves also as the check PRT.) When the monitoring PRT

indicates that the tin sample has cooled to near the freezing point, the cell

is withdrawn from the furnace and held at room temperature. When the PRT

indicates that the sample has started to recalesce, the cell is quickly

reinserted into the furnace. Following this procedure, a freeze duration of

12 to 14 hours is obtained. With the tin-point cells containing SRM 741 tin

standard, after about 5 percent of the initial "freeze", the temperature

change during the following 50 percent of the freeze is less than 0.1 mK . The

resistance of the monitoring or check PRT is determined approximately 45

minutes after reinserting the tin-point cell into the furnace. (Meanwhile a test PRT is being preheated in an auxiliary furnace held 20 °C above the tin

point.) After completion of the measurements on the check PRT, it is removed

from the cell and the test PRT is withdrawn from the preheating furnace and

quickly inserted into the tin-point cell so that the thermometer temperature

during the insertion remains slightly above that of the cell. In actual

practice, it is not certain whether any melting or any additional freezing occurs upon insertion of the PRT. In either event, the preheated PRT reaches

temperature equilibrium within a few minutes. The resistance readings of the

test PRT are started 15 minutes after inserting it into the cell. (Meanwhile,

the second test PRT is being preheated in the auxiliary furnace.) After

completion of the measurements on the first test PRT, it is replaced in the

tin-point cell by the second test PRT. As with the zinc-point cell, a maximum

of six test PRTs are calibrated in any single tin freeze. After the last test

PRT is calibrated, it is replaced with the check PRT. The requirement of the

second reading of the check PRT is that it shall not differ from the first

reading by more than 0.5 mK; if the difference is larger, the measurements on some of the test PRTs that were calibrated last are repeated using another tin

freeze. The test PRTs on which the measurements are to be repeated are

decided on the basis of the elapsed time since the start of the freeze and the

change in the freezing temperature that is observed with the check PRT.

194
Because of the effect of the hydrostatic head of liquid tin, the

temperature where the midpoint of the PRT sensor is located during

measurements in the tin-point cell is slightly higher than the equilibrium

freezing temperature of tin at 1 atmosphere pressure as defined in the IPTS68(75). (The effect of the hydrostatic head is 22 yK per cm of liquid tin.)

For the NBS tin-point cell, the height of the liquid tin column above the

midpoint of the PRT sensor is 18 cm; therefore, the temperature at the height

of the midpoint of the PRT sensor is 231.9685 °C.^^

V.2.C. Triple point of water

Of the thirteen defining fixed points that are specified in the text of

the IPTS-68(75), the triple point of water is the most important. (The

Thermodynamic Kelvin Temperature Scale is defined by assigning 273.16 K to the

temperature of the TPW and the thermodynamic unit of temperature, the kelvin,

is defined as 1/273.16 of the thermodynamic temperature of the TPW.) The PRT

temperature scale as defined by the lPTS-68(75) utilizes the resistance ratio,

R(T)/R(0 "C); consequently, the accuracy of every temperature measurement

depends on the accuracy of two observations, R(T) and R(0 °C). Above 0 °C,

any errors in R(0 °C) are amplified in the resistance ratio R(T)/R(0 °C).

(The resistance ratio R(T)/R(0 °C) is referred to as W(T).) In practice, the

R(0 ''C) of the PRT is determined from measurements at the TPW; hence, the

accuracy of R(0 °C) of the PRT ultimately depends on the accuracy of the

measurements at the TPW and on the reproducibility of the TPW. In an inter comparison of the TPW temperatures of a bank of fifteen cells at the NBS,

six observations were made on each cell over a period of three days; the

averages of the temperatures observed in each cell agreed to within ± 0.1 mK.

Figure IV. 2 shows the design of the TPW cell employed at the NBS. The

sealed borosilicate glass cell contains only ice, water, and water vapor. The

thermometer well is constructed of - precision bore tubing. The extension at

the top serves as a handle or as a support, as shown in the figure. By

suitably positioning the cell, most of the "gas" can be trapped in the

extension and the amount of air, if any remains, can be estimated from the

size of the bubble. (At room temperature, when the TPW cell is positioned

with the bottom end up, the bubble trapped in the extension is under a

195
hydrostatic head of water that corresponds to a pressure slightly higher than

the vapor pressure of water. Hence, if the bubble contains only water vapor,

it should collapse when the TPW cell is in the bottom end up position.)

To prepare the TPW cell for use, the cell is first cooled by immersing it

in a bath of shaved ice for about one-half hour. The cell is then mounted in

the ice bath with the opening of the reentrant thermometer well above the icewater level and the thermometer well is wiped dry, e.g., by using absorbent

paper on the end of a rod or tube. A mantle of ice is frozen around and

immediately next to the thermometer well by one of several methods. One

method is by filling the thermometer well with crushed Dry Ice. The well is

maintained full of Dry Ice for about 20 minutes, after which all of the Dry

Ice is allowed to evaporate. (It is important to keep the well completely

full of Dry Ice during the 20-minutes period. If the Dry Ice level in the

well is allowed to fall several inches and then the well is refilled, the ice

mantle is apt to crack. Although the crack often "heals," the desired triplepoint temperature of the "inner melt" may not be achieved if a crack in the

ice mantle later extends from the well surface into the surrounding liquid

water of the cell. The impurities, if any, in the water are expected to

become concentrated in the remaining liquid water that surrounds the ice

mantle of the cell. This less pure liquid water should not be allowed to mix

32 with the inner melt near the level of the thermometer resistor.) Usually

dendritic ice crystals form around the bottom of the well on the introduction

of the first few pieces of Dry Ice. As more Dry Ice is introduced to fill the

thermometer well, a clear coating of ice forms around the well and gradually

grows to about a 7-mm thickness during the 20 minutes the well is maintained

full of Dry Ice. About 1-mm additional thickness of ice is formed when the

remaining Dry Ice, after the 20-minute period, is allowed to evaporate. Also,

the ice mantle around the bottom end of the well, where the thermometer coil

is normally located, becomes somewhat thicker (see Fig. IV. 2). After the Dry

Ice is completely evaporated, the cell is lowered deeper into the ice bath and

the thermometer well is allowed to fill with ice water.

During the 20 minutes when the thermometer well is maintained full of Dry

Ice, there is a strong tendency for the water to freeze solidly across the top

surface of the water in the cell. If this layer of ice forms a strong bond

196
with the thermometer well and the outer cell wall, subsequent freezing of the

water below this layer can develop enough pressure to possibly rupture the

33 glass cell. Therefore, whenever a layer of ice is about to bridge (or has

bridged) between the thermometer well and the outer cell wall, the outer cell

wall near the upper water surface should be warmed to melt the surface ice.

This may be accomplished by raising the cell out of the ice bath briefly and

warming the cell near the unwanted ice with one's hands while gently shaking

the cell sideways to wash and, therefore, melt the ice with the warmer water

of the cell. During this time, the Dry Ice level in the thermometer well

should not be allowed to fall too low.

If the cell is raised high enough to see the mantle during the freezing

process, the magnification by the cylinder of water will give the appearance

that the ice mantle is thick enough to contact the outer wall although the

mantle may actually be much thinner (1 or 2 mm thick). During the freezing

of the mantle, if the cell has enough vapor space, the cell may be momentarily

inverted, while keeping the Dry Ice from falling out of the thermometer well,

to see the mantle without the effect of magnification and, therefore, see the

true thickness of the mantle. The cell should be inverted only when the

thermometer well is cold enough that the ice mantle will remain fast to the

wall and, therefore, will not float upward against the "bottom" of the cell.

If the cell is inverted after the inner melt is made, the ice mantle will

float upward to the bottom of the cell and the chemical composition of the

35 inner liquid would be expected to be altered by the outer liquid.

The temperature of the water-ice interface of an inner melt is the fixedpoint temperature of the TPW cell. The inner melt is formed by inserting a solid glass rod at ambient temperature into the thermometer well of the TPW

cell filled with ice-bath water; thereby, a thin layer of ice adjacent to the

thermometer well is melted. The existence of this inner melt is tested by

giving the cell a sharp rotatory impulse about the axis of the well and

observing if the ice mantle spins or moves freely around the thermometer well.

The TPW cell usually equilibrates to essentially constant temperature within

30 minutes to 1 hour after preparation using Dry Ice. In most applications at

the NBS, however, the TPW cell is prepared at least one day prior to use.

197
During storage of the TPW cell in an ice bath, the frozen mantle of ice

grows slowly and irregularly until it contacts and attaches itself to the

outer walls of the cell. The cell is occasionally removed from the ice bath

and the excess ice melted by warming with one's hands or with water. (As

mentioned earlier, the extension on the type of TPW cells used at the NBS

serves as an indicator of the amount of water frozen in the cell. When the

water level reaches the vertical extension, the amount of ice formed is

usually considered excessive.) The growth of ice in the cell while stored in

the ice bath can be reduced by insulating the cell with a sheet of plastic

foam or by placing the cell in a Dewar flask which is in turn immersed in the

ice bath. By means of suitable insulation and occasional melting of excess

ice, the same freeze of the TPW cell may be used in an ice bath for a number

of months without freezing a new mantle. Moreover, in the PRT calibration

laboratory of the NBS, the ice bath for the TPW cells is installed inside a small freezer chest to reduce the melting of the ice and, thereby, reduce the

frequency of replenishing the ice in the ice bath.

The TPW cell is employed with the PRT as follows. Referring to

Fig. IV. 2, a small soft plastic foam (J) is first placed at the bottom of the

thermometer well to reduce the mechanical shock when the PRT is inserted. A

closely fitting aluminum bushing (I) about 5 cm long is placed above the foam

to reduce the external self heating of the PRT. The bushing is constructed of

aluminum instead of the heavier copper so that the bushing will gently sink to

the bottom on top of the foam when it is inserted into the thermometer well

full of water. The bushing has a tapered hole at the top to gently center the

PRT when it is inserted into the thermometer well. To avoid upward

displacement of the bushing by a "pumping" action when the PRT is inserted,

the bushing is not too close fitting with the PRT sheath. To eliminate the

effect of room radiation (particularly the ceiling lights) a heavy black felt

cloth (A) is placed over the top of the cell and ice bath except for a hole

through which the PRT is inserted. The PRT is preceded in the ice bath

that surrounds the TPW cell before it is inserted into the cell. A

polyethylene plastic tube (B) helps to guide the PRT gently into the

thermometer well. Before the final measurements on the PRT are made, the

198
thermometer current is on continuously for at least 5 minutes for the

thermometer to come to thermal equilibrium.

V.2.d. Normal boiling point of oxygen

The calibration of PRTs at the normal boiling point of oxygen

(-182.962 °C, oxygen point) is realized by reference to the NBS-1955

temperature scale adjusted to correspond to the IPTS-68(75). The temperature

(hotness) assigned to the oxygen point is also maintained by long-stem type

reference standard PRTs which are i nter compared with the capsule-type PRT

reference standards. Calibrations near the oxygen point are obtained by

inter comparing the test PRTs with a long-stem type reference standard PRT in

the apparatus shown in Fig. IV. 18. Eight thin-walled Monel tubes (A) extend

into the copper block (P); five tubes are 7.9 mm o.d. to accommodate regular

long- stem type PRTs, one is 10.3 mm o.d. for 9 mm PRTs, and two tubes are 12.7 mm o.d. to accommodate capsule-type PRTs in holders. The tubes are soldered

to the copper block as well as to the copper flanges at the various stages of

the apparatus shown in Fig. IV. 18. The thermometer stems are sealed at the

top of the wells by a molded band of soft silicone rubber. The thermometer

wells are filled with helium gas to a pressure that is slightly above

atmospheric (see helium gas distributing manifold (D) in Fig. IV. 18). The

helium gas enhances the thermal contact between the thermometer and the wall

of the well and reduces the chance of condensible gases entering the wells.

The apparatus is prepared for calibration by evacuating through (J) and

immersing in liquid nitrogen to the level shown in Fig. IV. 18. The copper

block (P) and shields (F and L) are cooled by admitting nitrogen gas and/or

liquid nitrogen through valve (K) just below the liquid nitrogen surface. The

cool nitrogen vapor flows through coils (N) attached to the two top shields

and to the copper block and exits through (B) to a large-capacity vacuum pump.

When the temperature of the copper block (P) is cooled nearly to the oxygen

point, the valve (K) is closed and the nitrogen in the cooling coils is

removed by pumping. The temperature of the copper block is adjusted to within

1 K of the oxygen point [either by heating or, if necessary, by opening valve

(K)] and the two shields are controlled at the temperature of the block.

(Calibrations of the PRTs are performed within 1 K of the oxygen point.) When

199
the temperatures of the copper block and the two shields are nearly the same,

the inner shield is allowed to "float" without electric power input. The

outer shield is controlled relative to the temperature of the copper block by

means of differential thermocouples and shield heaters. The floating shield

tends to dampen the effects of temperature gradients and of short term

variations in the control of the outer shield. The electric power in the

shield heaters is controlled automatically from the emf output of the

thermocouples. The PRTs are tempered where the tubes pass through liquid

nitrogen and where the two shields are soldered to the tubes (A) before

entering the copper block (P).

In calibration of PRTs, resistance measurements are carried out on the

test PRT and the reference standard PRT simultaneously using two Guildline

Instruments direct current comparator resistance bridges or one Guildline

Instruments direct current comparator resistance bridge and one automatic ac resistance thermometer bridge. As a part of the calibration process, the

reference standard PRT is checked by comparing with a second reference

standard PRT. The temperature at which the resistance of a test thermometer

is observed is calculated from the observed resistance of the reference

standard PRT and its resistance versus temperature relation. (Actually, the

analysis is performed in terms of the W versus T relation.)

V.3. Comparison Calibration of PRTs below 90 K

Capsule-type PRTs are calibrated in terms of the standards in the

cryostat shown schematically in Fig. IV. 21. The copper comparison block V,

shown enlarged in Fig. IV. 22, has wells for six thermometers, two standards

and four thermometers under test. Stopcock grease is used to enhance the

thermal contact between the PRT and the copper block. The wiring arrangement

shown in Fig. IV. 23 is employed to minimize the number of leads and,

therefore, the heat transfer through the leads between the surroundings and

the copper block. Five PRTs are wired with only twelve leads. The first

standard is wired separately with four additional leads to allow it to be

electrically isolated from the group of five PRTs. In the calibration

process, the resistance of the first standard and the resistance of any one of

the four thermometers under test or 'the second standard are determined

200
simultaneously by measurements made with two Guildline bridges or one

Guildline bridge and an automatic ac bridge.

The cryostat (Fig. IV. 21) was designed such that the central core could

remain stationary when the cryostat assembly is lowered to expose the

thermometer comparison block for installation or removal of thermometers. To

the thin-wall, stainless steel central support tube G are attached, from

bottom upward, the copper comparison block V, the thermometer lead terminal

block T, thermal tie downs Q and N (two), and the upper support section which

contains the vacuum line and the exit seal for the leads to the thermometers,

thermocouples, and heaters. After the cryostat assembly is raised into

position around the core, the vacuum seal consisting of a Viton "0" ring E is

closed; thus, only a single vacuum seal at room temperature is involved in the

installation or removal of thermometers from the cryostat.

For the thermometer leads, manganin wire (NO. 26 AWG , 0.404 mm diam.),

insulated with a heavy coating of Formvar , was selected for its small

temperature coefficient of resistance. The leads are "tempered" by being

placed in good thermal contact with a series of three thermal tie-downs (two

of N and one of Q, shown schematically in Fig. IV. 21 and shown in detail in

Fig. IV. 24.) The leads are cemented in vertical grooves C of the copper

cylinder D that is soldered to the central support tube A (G in Fig. IV.21).

Copper cylinder E is fitted snugly over D and held securely by pin H. The

copper cylinder E contains the spring fingers G of beryllium copper. In the

two thermal tie-downs N, the fingers make thermal contact with the refrigerant

bath and in thermal tie-down Q, the fingers make thermal contact with the

shield S. Q contains also a heater and a five- junction Chromel-P/constantan

thermopile for temperature control; the thermocouples are placed in thermal

contact with Q by means of the "thermal tie-down" shown by the insert F. The

thermometer leads are tempered on the copper comparison block by cementing

them in grooves shown as K in Fig. IV. 22. The manganin thermometer leads and

the copper leads to the thermocouples and heaters exit at the top of the

cryostat through small holes in a ceramic disk. A hard wax is used to make

the vacuum seal around the ceramic disk and the lead wires.

During operation, the cryostat (Fig. IV.21) is surrounded by a liquid

helium Dewar M and an outer Dewar (not shown) that contains liquid nitrogen.

201
The 0-ring seal J between the cryostat and the inner helium Dewar is closed.

For the initial cool down, liquid nitrogen is introduced through A into the

inner Dewar and its vapor pressure is reduced to about 1/3 atmosphere by

pumping through L. For heat exchange, the vacuum can 0 is filled with He gas

to about 0.3 torr and the cryostat is left to cool overnight to about 65 K.

The liquid n-itrogen remaining in the inner Dewar is removed by pressurizing

the Dewar with He gas and forcing the liquid out through a siphon inserted

through A. (Precooling the cryostat from about 80 K to about 65 K reduces the

liquid helium required for cooling by about two liters.) Six to seven liters

of liquid helium are usually required to cool the apparatus from 65 K to 4.2 K

and fill the inner Dewar.

As part of the test, the resistance of the PRT is first measured near

3 4.2 K with the He exchange gas in the vacuum can 0. For measurements in the

3

range 13 K to 90 K, the He gas is removed by pumping and the temperature of

the copper comparison block is stabilized by controlling the temperature of

the thermal shields relative to the block. The temperature of the shields is

controlled automatically by employing an amplifier and three-mode controller

between each of the three five- junction Chr omel-P /constantan differential

thermopiles and their corresponding shield heaters. The heaters and

thermopiles are located on Q, R, and S of Fig. IV. 21. R controls primarily

the heat transfer up the stainless steel well F from the comparison block.

Q controls the temperature of the leads and the central support tube. S is

the thermal shield from R down and around the comparison block.

A heater wire wound directly on the copper comparison block is used to

change its temperature to the next higher measurement temperature. Because of

the low thermal diffusivity of stainless steel, a heater wire is also wound on the support tube to raise its temperature whenever the temperatures of the

comparison block and Q are raised. When the block is being heated above about

40 K, the limitations of the power amplifiers that are presently being used

cause the shield temperature to lag behind the block temperature; however,

when the block heater is turned off, the power amplifiers are adequate for the

shield temperature to equalize rapidly to that of the block. After

termination of heating, the time required for the comparison block to attain

thermal equilibrium increases with temperature. At 13.8 K, the thermometer

202
drift will decrease to less than 10 pifi/min in 1 minute; at 90 K, however, more than 30 minutes are required before this temperature drift rate can be

reached. Measurements are considered unsatisfactory if the thermometer drift

is more than 5 yt^/minute below 20 K or more than 10 yQ/minute above 20 K.

Simultaneous measurements of each test PRT and the first standard are made at 16 temperatures which are approximately 12,20, 13.81, 15.42, 17. 3^,

18.66, 20.28, 23.69, 27.102, 33.92, 40.75, 47.55, 54.361, 66.30, 78.24, 84.22,

and 90.188 K. Measurements at these temperatures provide one to three

intermediate points between the defining fixed points. Intercomparison of the

first and second standards is usually made only at temperatures close to the

fixed points. At each temperature, a series of simultaneous measurements of a test PRT and the standard is carried out with a continuous current of 1 mA

.

At approximately 90.2 K, the self-heating effect of each PRT is determined by

making measurements at 1 mA and at 2 mA . (Immediately after the PRTs are

installed in the cryostat, the space around the copper block is evacuated and

the PRTs are tested for any excessive self-heating effects. If the metal- toglass seal of a capsule develops a leak, the helium exchange gas in the

capsule is lost. Such a PRT will have a large self-heating effect in a vacuum environment and is considered unreliable.) In the cryostat, the total self2 heating effect observed at 90 K is normally from 0.05 to 0.2 mK/(mA) , depending upon the thermometer design.

V.4. Self-Heating Effects

The measurement of a PRT resistance involves passing an electric current

2 through the resistor. The Joule heating (or i R heating) raises the

temperature of the resistor, its support, and its leads above that of the

surrounding until a steady state condition is reached where the Joule heating

equals the rate heat is dissipated to the surrounding medium. (If the

temperature of the surrounding medium remains or becomes constant, e.g., as in

a fixed-point cell, a steady PRT resistance reading can be attained.

Otherwise, the PRT resistance will continue to change depending upon the Joule

heating in the PRT resistor and upon other sources of energy exchange of the

system.) The time required to reach the steady state condition depends upon

the thermal d i f f us i v i t i es of the thermometer components and of the

203
surroundings and upon the thermal resistances between them. In some

situations, 5 minutes or longer may be required to reach the steady state

condition. The magnitude of the self heating depends upon the Joule heating

and upon the rate of heat transfer from the PRT resistor. At a given

temperature, the heat conduction from the thermometer resistor to the outer

surface of the protective sheath remains essentially constant since the

geometry and the thermal conductivity of the thermometer components usually

remain unchanged with use. The heat conduction, however, from the outer

surface of the thermometer sheath to the surrounding medium depends upon the

thermal contact of the thermometer with the "surrounding heat sink."

Therefore, the heat conduction external to the thermometer depends upon the

conditions of use. The self heating that is intrinsic to the thermometer is

referred to as the i nternal self heating of the PRT. The self heating that is

associated with the heat conduction external to the thermometer is referred to

as the external self heating. The combined self heating is referred to as the

total self heating. The total self heating may be expressed as a resistance

change or as a temperature change corresponding to the resistance change and,

strictly speaking, at a given temperature and specified surroundings.

At low electric power levels, the total self heating is very nearly

linear with respect to the power that is generated in the PRT resistor. At

the NBS, measuring currents of 1 and 2 mA are usually used with PRTs of

R(0 °C) of about 25 f2 to determine the total self heating. If R^ is the

resistance reading at a current of i^ and R^ is the reading at a current of

i^, the resistance R^ at zero current is given by

Rq = R^ - i^CR^ - R^ )/(i2 - i^) (V.D

For i^ and i^ of 1 and 2 mA. respectively,

Rq = R^ - (R^ - )/3 (V.2)

Thus, ^.nermometer current, the total self heating is (R^ - R^ )/3 ^- at

2 mA thermometer current, it is ^(R^ - R^ )/3 The R^ corresponds to the PRT

resistance with no self heating. For temperature measurements of the highest

204
accuracy, values of should be used. (The PRT also must have been

calibrated for "zero-current" measurements.)

The total self heating of a PRT is described also in terms of the change

in the observed resistance caused by a change in the Joule heating or the

change in the observed resistance caused by a change in the square of the

electric current in the PRT. This latter coefficient of total self heating

will be referred to as the total self-heating effect . Referring to Eq. (V.I),

2 2 the total self-heating effect is given by (R^ - ^i^'^^^^2 ~ "^1^' '^^ the total self-heating effect is expressed as S^/(mA) . As given in Eq. (V.I),

the product of this coefficient and the square of the current being used gives

the total self-heating of the PRT.

A typical steady-state profile of the radial temperature distribution

that is expected to result from a current of 1 mA flowing in a 25-Q PRT (a PRT

with an R(0 °C) of about 25.5 Q) immersed in an ice bath and in a TPW cell

(with and without an aluminum bushing) is shown in Fig. V.I and V.2,

respectively. (The profile was calculated from R^ and R^ [see Eq. (V.2)] and

the thermal conductivities and thicknesses of the various parts.) When the

outer surface of the protective sheath of the PRT is in direct contact with

the surrounding heat sink, the condition closely represented by the PRT

immersed in an ice bath (Fig. V.I) or in a stirred liquid bath, the total

self-heating is very nearly the internal self-heating of the PRT. There is no temperature drop beyond the outer surface of the PRT immersed in the ice bath.

In the TPW cell (Fig. V.2), however, the PRT is not in direct contact with the

heat sink and, therefore, there is an additional temperature drop from the

outer surface of the PRT to the water-ice interface (heat sink) of the inner

melt where the temperature is very nearly that of the TPW, except, as previously mentioned, for the effect of the hydrostatic head of water. The

external self heating of the PRT in the TPW cell is the difference between the

total self heating of the PRT in the TPW cell and in the ice bath. At NBS,

unless requested otherwise, the PRTs are calibrated with a continuous current

of 1 mA. The calibration (or the observed resistance) is related to the

temperature of the outer surface of the protective sheath of the PRT adjacent

to the resistor. In the TPW cell, this temperature corresponds to the

temperature of the water-ice interface at the level of immersion of the PRT

205
adjusted for the external self heating of the PRT. In calibrations at the

other fixed points (tin, zinc, and oxygen), the observed resistances of the

PRT at a continuous current of 1 mA are also correlated with the temperature

of the outer surface of the PRT, i.e. the temperature of the fixed point is

adjusted for the external self heating of the PRT in the fixed-point

apparatus. Therefore, to employ the PRT calibrations obtained at the NBS

directly in temperature measurements, a continuous current of 1 mA must be

used and the PRT must be in good thermal contact with the system of which the

temperature is being determined so that the external self heating is

negligible. Otherwise, a correction must be made for the external self

heating. Wherever the highest accuracy is desired or the external self

heating is difficult to determine, the two-current method (described earlier)

should be used to obtain the zero-current value of the PRT resistance. Again,

the calibration of the PRT must have been determined for zero thermometer

current.

V.5. Data Analysis

As indicated in Section III, from 13. 81 K (-259.34 °C) to 903.89 K

(630.74 °C), the lPTS-68(75) is based on eleven defining fixed points, the

platinum resistance thermometer calibrated at those fixed points, and

specified interpolation equations to relate the temperature and the resistance

ratio

W(T) = R(T)/R(0 °C), (V.3)

where R(T) is the thermometer resistance at temperature T and R(0 °C) is the

resistance at 0 °C. The defining fixed points are equilibrium states between

phases of pure substances to which values of temperature have been assigned.

(The isotopic composition is generally specified wherever it may vary

sufficiently to have a significant effect on the equilibrium temperature.)

The thermometer resistor must be annealed pure platinum, supported in a "strain-free" manner and have a value of W(100 °C) not less than 1.39250 . (Any reference to PRT indicates a thermometer of standards quality that meets

206
the IPTS-68(75) specifications.) Below 0 °C, the W versus T relation of the

PRT is given by

W(T) = W*(T) + AW^(T) (V.il)

where W*(T) is the reference function defined by

T . r In W*(T) + 3.28 i-^ „ ... T ^, = A a. L T-^o J K (V.5)

j=0 J ^-^^

and AW^(T) are deviation functions which are polynomials in T. (The

coefficients, a., of Eq. (V.5) are given in Table III. 2) The range from

J 13.81 K to 273.15 K is divided into four subranges, each with its specified

deviation function of the general form

n i AW(T) = I k. T (V.6)

i = 0^

where n S 4. In the subrange I3.8I K to 20.28 K, n=3; 20.28 K to 54.361 K,

n=3; 54.361 K to 90.188 K, n=2; and 90.188 K to 273-15 K, n=4. The

coefficients are determined by calibration at the fixed points and by the

requirement that the first derivative, dAW(T)/dT, be continuous at the

junction with the next higher subrange.

As indicated in Section III, from 0 °C to 630.74 °C the values of

temperature t are defined by

t.f. 0.0^5 [ ^^^Kc ] [-700^-^1"

[ ^- 1] [ ^- 1] °c

419.58 °C 630.74 °C

where t' is defined by

W(t') = R(t')/R(0 °C) = 1 + At' + Bt'^. (V.8)

207
By definition t and T are related by t = T - 273.15 K. Equation (V.8) is

equivalent to

t' = [W(t') - l] + 6 [ t' (V.9)

a 100 °C 100 °C

where

a = A + B(100 °C) (V.10)

and

6 = -8(100 °C)^

(V. 1 1

)

A + 8(100 °C)

Above 0 °C, the constants A and 8 of Eq. (V.8) are obtained by simultaneous

solution from the resistance measurements at the TPW, the zinc point, and the

tin point. The values of the resistance ratio W(T) corresponding to those at

the zinc point and the tin point are calculated using the values of R(TPW)

obtained after the measurements at the metal fixed points; i.e.,

W(Zn) = R(Zn)/R(0 and W(Sn) = R(Sn)/R(0 °C)^. Employing Eqs. (V.7) and

(V.8) and the constants A and 8, tables of W(t) are calculated at integral

values of t from 0 °C to 631 °C for SPRTs with either a fused quartz or an Inconel sheath or from 0 °C to 500 °C for SPRTs with borosilicate glass or stainless steel sheaths. If an SPRT is calibrated also at the oxygen point,

the constants b, and e, of the deviation function (see Eq. (V.6))

AW^(t) = b^^t + e^t (t - 100 °C) (V.12)

are calculated from the relations:

b,, = a - a* (V.13)

and

e^ = [AW^(tQ) - b^tQ ]/tl (tQ - 100 °C), (V.14)

208
where a* ( = 3.9259668 x 10 °C ) is the a that corresponds to the

IPTS-68(75) reference function. From Eq. (V.4)

AW^(tQ) = WCt^) - W^Ct^). (V.15)

where

WCt^) = R(tQ)/R(0 °C)q (V.16)

Tables of W(T) are calculated at integral values of t from -I83 °C to 0 °C

using Eq . (V.12), the constants and e^, and the reference function

[Eq. (V.5)]. The above relations for the SPRT are extrapolated to - 200 °C

for those laboratories that employ the normal boiling point of nitrogen

instead of that of oxygen in calibrating other PRTs. (In such tables, the

values of t below -I83 °C are fictitious and serve primarily as artifices for

calibrating other PRTs for use above -I83 °C.)

When an SPRT is calibrated only at the TPW, tin point, and zinc point,

tables of W(t) start from -50 °C. Extrapolation of W(t) downward to -50 °C

- 1 4 -4

is obtained by assuming a value for e^ ( = 1.7 x 10 °C ) in the deviation

function (Eq. (V.12)). The variation in e^ of SPRTs is not more than

-14-21

± 1 X 10 °C . By differentiating Eq. (V.12) and substituting -50 °C for

t, there is obtained

dAW^ = 1.875 X

10''' de^. (V.17)

Since dt/dAW at -50 °C is about 247 °C, the uncertainty in the tabulated value

of W(-50 °C), because of the assumed value of e^ , corresponds to 0.05 mK

,

which is negligible.

During the course of calibration, large changes in an SPRT resistance can arise from a number of sources. If the SPRT is insufficiently annealed prior

to the measurements at the zinc point, the R(TPW)^ reading can be smaller than

the R(TPW)j reading because of some annealing that could occur at the zinc

point. Also, if the SPRT were "bumped" against an object during or after

removal from the annealing furnace but prior to the R(TPW) reading, the

209
R(TPW) reading would be expected to be smaller than the R(TPW) reading

because of the extra strain resistance that was introduced by the bumping of

the SPRT but later partially removed by annealing at the zinc point. On the

other hand, if the SPRT were bumped immediately after the R(TPW)^ reading, all

of the extra strain resistance introduced by the bumping is most likely not

removed by annealing at the zinc point; therefore, the R(TPW) reading could

z then be expected to be slightly higher than the R(TPW)-|. reading. If any large

strains are introduced into the SPRT just prior to the R(TPW) reading, the

z R(TPW)^ reading should be larger than the R(TPW)^ reading. If any strong

bumping occurs after the R(TPW)^ reading, the R(TPW)^ and the R(TPW)q readings

should reflect the effect. If the platinum wire were wound too tightly around

the coil form, strains can be introduced when the SPRT is cooled to the oxygen

point and the RCTPW)^ reading could be relatively higher than the other R(TPW)

readings. Any changes in the R(TPW) readings smaller than what correspond to

0.75 mK are considered to arise from the general instability of the SPRT and

the limit of precision of routine calibration measurements. Obviously, errors

of observations, including errors of recording of data, will be superimposed

upon the final data.

The temperature of the water-ice interface of the inner melt where the

PRT resistor is immersed (more precisely, the location of the mid-point of the

resistor) is slightly lower than the temperature of the TPW. The temperature

—6

depression is 7.3 x 10 K per cm of water column. The depth of immersion of

the PRT is taken to be the distance between the upper water surface of the TPW

cell to the raid-point of the PRT resistor. The TPW cells in use at the NBS

have well depths of 32 cm or 36 cm, the cells with 32 cm wells being the most

common and most recent. The depth of immersion of the PRT is about 29 cm or 33 cm, which corresponds to a temperature depression of the triple-point

temperature of 200 yK or 230 pK, respectively; therefore, the temperature of

the TPW cell at the mid-point of the PRT resistor is either 0.00980 °C or 0.00977 °C, depending upon the immersion depth of the cell being used.

The value of R(0 °C) is obtained by converting the observed values of

R(TPW), employing equation (V.8). Because of the small value of t' at the

2

TPW (t = 0.00980 °C = t' or t = 0.00977 °C = t'), the term containing t' is

negligible and the average value of A (3-98485 x 10~^ °C~^ ) , found for PRTs

210
calibrated at the NBS in the past, is employed in the conversion. The

uncertainty in the adjustments of the value from R(TPW) to R(0 °C) in this

_ Q manner is less than ±1x10 R(0 °C) for PRTs that meet the IPTS-68(75)

specification that W(100 °C) be not less than 1.39250. Hence, in obtaining

R(0 °C) from R(TPW), the uncertainty contributed by this procedure is

negligible.

Tables of W(t) at integral values of temperature between 0 °C and 300 °C are calculated for capsule-type thermometers from the calibration measurements

at the TPW and the tin point and an average value for the coefficient B -7 -2

(approximately 5.8755 x 1 0 °C ) based on values of about 200 SPRTs. The

-10 -2

range of values of B of SPRTs is about 5 x 10 °C . From Eq.(V.8)

The coefficient A is obtained from measurements at the TPW and the tin point

and from the average value of B. Assuming that there is no measurement error

at the tin point,

dA^ = -231 .9292 °C: (V.19) dB

then,

dW 7 ^ = -231 .9292t' + f (V.20) dB

-10 -2

At t' = 300 °C, an uncertainty of ± 2.5 x 10 °C in B corresponds to an uncertainty in the value of temperature of about ± 1.4 mK . (A survey of

values of B obtained for SPRTs received at the NBS shows the average to be

-7 -2 -10 -2

closer to -5.8768 x 10 °C and the range to be about 4 x 10 °C .)

Tables of W(t) between -183 °C and 0 °C for capsule-type PRTs are calculated

by procedures similar to those described earlier for long-stem type SPRTs.

Let us look at the analysis of data in the range from 13.81 K to

273.15 K in more detail. As stated earlier, from 13. 81 K to 273.15 K the

temperature T^g is defined by the relation

211
where ^qq'p_58 ^"^68^ resistance ratio given by the reference function

20 InW (T ) + 3.28 .

J=0

The coefficients a. of this reference function are given in Table III. 2. The

J deviations AW.(T,o) at the temperatures of the defining fixed points are

1 DO

obtained from measured values of W(Tgg) and the corresponding values of

W^^o, ^o(T^o); see Table III. 3. To find AW. (T^q) at intermediate temperatures,

LL i -DO DO 1 bo

interpolation formulae are used. The range between 13-81 K and 273.1 5 K is

divided into four parts in each of which AW^(T^g) is defined by a polynomial

in Tgg. The constants in the polynomials are determined from the values of

AW. (T,o) at the fixed points and the condition that there shall be no

1 6 8

discontinuity in dAW. ( T^ „ ) / dT , „ across the junction of the temperature

_o 1 OO DO

ranges.

From 13.81 K to 20.28 K the deviation function is

AW,(Tgg) . A . B,Tjg * C,T2g . D,^ (V.23)

where the constants are determined by the measured deviations at the triple

point of equilibrium hydrogen, the fixed point at 17.0^2 K, and the boiling

point of equilibrium hydrogen, and the first derivative of the deviation

function at the boiling point of equilibrium hydrogen as derived from

Eq. (V.24).

From 20.28 K to 54.361 K the deviation function is

-

.

' '^"s^es) - *2 * V68 * V68 * ^2^68 "-2")

where the constants are determined by the measured deviations at the boiling

points of equilibrium hydrogen and neon and at the triple point of oxygen, and

by the first derivative of the deviation function at the triple point of

oxygen as derived from Eq.(V.25).

From 5M.361 K to 90.188 K the deviation function is

212
3 68

2

+ C T

3 68 (V.25)

where the constants are determined by the measured deviations at the triple

point and the condensation point of oxygen (or the triple point of argon) and

by the first derivative of the deviation function at the condensation point of

oxygen as derived from Eq. (V.26).

From 90.188 to 273-15 K the deviation function is

where the constants are determined by the measured deviations at the

condensation point of oxygen (or the triple point of argon) and the boiling

point of water.

The reduction of the calibration data (16 points) from the comparison

measurements involves calculating the temperature from the observed resistance

of the reference standard and assigning this value of temperature to the

simultaneously observed value of resistance of the PRT being calbrated. The

temperature of the reference standard PRT is evaluated from its IPTS-68( 75 ) deviation functions and the reference function in accordance with Eqs . (V.21)

and (V.22). As described earlier, these observed resistance versus

temperature data for the PRT being calibrated are processed by a computer

employing a least squares technique in which the derivatives of the four

polynomial deviation equations are constrained to be equal at the point of

their joining as outlined earlier, i.e., at 20.28 K (NBP of e-H^) , at 5M.361 K (TP of oxygen), and 90.188 K (NBP of oxygen). The anaylsis yields the "best

values" of AW (or W) at the fixed points for the respective PRTs which are

then used to obtain the polynomial deviation functions of the IPTS -68(75) and

then to compute the thermometer calibration table (tables of W or R versus T)

.

This method is employed in processing the 16 observations obtained on all

capsule-type PRTs that are received for calibration at NBS in the range from

13 K to 90 K.

The coefficients of the deviation functions for the PRT are issued as a part of the calibration service. The differences between the final tabular

values and the observed resistance versus temperature data for the PRT being

AWi^CTgg) = b^(TgQ-273.15 K) + (T^g-273 . 1 5 k)3(T^g-373. 1 5 K) (V.26)

213
calibrated are Indicative of the quality of reproduction of the NBS-IPTS68(75) by the PRT. Systematic differences would indicate that the equations

being used do not adequately transfer the NBS IPTS-68(75) to the PRT being

calibrated

.

V.6. Calibration Report

To aid NBS personnel in evaluating the calibration of an SPRT, the

printed results of the computer analysis of calibration data include, in

addition to a table of W(t) or R(t) versus t [or of W(T) or R(T) versus T],

the observed resistances at the fixed points, and the values of R(0 °C), a, 6,

A, and B, and the coefficients of the relevant deviation functions. See

Section X for an example of a calibration report.

214

Figure V.I. Platinum resistance thermometers at 33 cm immersion in an ice

bath. Temperature profile from the midpoint of the thermometer coil out

to the ice bath with 1 mA current.

A. Platinum coils of coiled filament thermometer; only coils of one

side are indicated.

B. Platinum coils of single layer helix thermometer; only turns of one side are indicated.

C. Borosilicate glass thermometer envelope.

D. Finely divided ice and water.

216
217
gure V.2. Platinum resistance thermometers at 33 cm immersion in a water

triple-point cell. Temperature profile from the midpoint of the

thermometer coil out to the ice-water interface with 1 raA current.

A. Platinum coils of coiled filament thermometer; only coils of one

side are indicated.

B. Platinum coils of single layer helix thermometer; only turns of one

side are indicated.

C. Borosilicate glass thermometer envelope.

D. Water from ice bath.

E. Aluminum bushing (length not to scale).

F. Borosilicate glass thermometer well.

G. Ice mantle.

H. Inner melt.

I. No inner melting; temperature profile relative to the temperature of

outer ice-water interface.

J. Water in cell.

K. Cell well (borosilicate glass).

L. Outside ice-water bath.

M. Temperature profile of the ice mantle.

N. Polyurethane sponge.

218
219
VI. UNCERTAINTIES OF CALIBRATION

In a calibration laboratory, it is extremely important that the

laboratory's own measurement errors be so small that the results of the users

of the calibrated instruments will not be affected by those errors. This

means that the measurement process of the calibration laboratory must always

be under control and must produce results that always lie within allowable

limits of measurement error. In order to establish the validity of a single

calibration on a new SPRT, i.e., that the variability of the measurements is

within the allowable limits of measurement error and that the calibration

process is under control, there must be redundant measurements of a control or check SPRT. (A check SPRT is defined herein as an SPRT used to monitor the

measurements at a given temperature.) Any abrupt shift in the calibration of

the check SPRT would indicate that there may be problems with the fixed-point

devices or with the measuring instrument, possible change in the calibration

of the reference SPRT or the bath temperature control is not operating

properly, or that the check SPRT was accidentally "bumped". A long record of

measurements on the check SPRT gives information on the limits of calibration

error of any new SPRT.

The procedure that is employed at the NBS to monitor the calibration of

every batch of SPRTs is as follows. Different long-stem-type check SPRTs are assigned to the zinc-point, tin-point, and oxygen-point calibration

measurements. To obtain the corresponding values of W at these fixed points,

the resistances of the check SPRTs are also measured at the triple point of

water following every measurement at the zinc, tin, or oxygen point. In the cases of the zinc and tin point measurements, a freeze is initiated using the

check SPRT and the first equilibrium readings are obtained on the check SPRT.

This is followed by calibration of -the test SPRTs (usually six). After all of

the test SPRTs are calibrated, the check SPRT is read again in the freezingpoint cell. The second reading with the check SPRT for a given freeze must

not differ from the first by more than the equivalent of 0.5 mK. Usually the

difference is not more than 0.1 or 0.2 mK because the calibrations are made

during the first 50 percent of the freeze. Also, the readings should be

consistent with those obtained for earlier freezes. (For those laboratories

220
that employ NBS calibrated SPRTs to standardize their freezing-point cells of

tin and zinc before calibrating test SPRTs, the reference SPRTs can serve as their check SPRTs.) With the oxygen-point calibration apparatus, a second

reference standard SPRT is calibrated in terms of the working reference

standard SPRT in the same manner as the test SPRTs. The standard deviations

of the values of W of the check SPRTs obtained over a two-year period were

0.28 mK, 0.30 mK, and 0.16 mK for the zinc, tin and oxygen point calibrations,

respectively

,

The total uncertainty of calibration is the sum of the random

uncertainties of the measurement process and the systematic uncertainties of

the process, the latter resulting from uncertainties in the fixed-point

temperatures and from those of the measuring instruments.

VI. 1. Random Uncertainties at the Temperature Fixed Points

The uncertainties in calibrations at the various fixed points are

different and will be discussed separately.

The freezing points of zinc and tin are realized at the NBS by using

samples of these metals that are nominally 99.9999 percent pure. These

samples are issued as NBS Standard Reference Materials SRM 740 and SRM 7^1,

respectively. The freezing points of cells that have been assembled using

these metals have been found to agree to within ± 0.1 mK. During the freezing

process, the furnaces are controlled about 1 K below the freezing point to

give a freeze duration of 14 to 16 hours. Normally, the SPRTs are calibrated

during the first 50 percent of the freeze, during which time the temperature

change is not more than 0.2 mK.

VI. 1. a. Random uncertainties at the zinc point

To realize the freezing point of zinc with an uncertainty of about

± 0.002 °C, the furnace need not be very complex. However, a zinc sample of

high purity and the use of proper freezing-point techniques are important. In

the experimental procedure used at the NBS for realizing the freezing point of

zinc, first the zinc is melted in the furnace while being monitored with an SPRT. Then the freeze is initiated in the furnace as follows. The furnace

temperature is reduced so that the sample temperature, as measured within the

221
well, reaches the zinc-point temperature at a cooling rate of 0.1 °C to 0.2 °C

per minute. The zinc supercools below the zinc point by 0.02 °C to 0.06 °C

(as measured by the SPRT) before the recalescence occurs. The subsequent rise

toward the plateau temperature, while rapid at first, becomes very slow after

several minutes (see Fig. IV. 15). To hasten this process, an induced-freeze

is employed to form a second solid-liquid interface immediately adjacent to

the well. (The first solid-liquid interface occurs at the crucible wall.)

After the zinc cell has completed the initial rapid freeze following the

supercool described above, two cold thermometers or cold glass tubes are inserted into the well to freeze the zinc around the well; a solid-liquid

interface that completely surrounds the well is necessary and a single

thermometer or glass tube may not freeze a complete coating of zinc on the

well. The resistance of the second thermometer will rise to a steady value

(within 10 °C) within a few minutes (typically 10 to 15 minutes) after

insertion and will remain nearly constant for a period of time that is

determined by the freezing rate of the outer solid zinc layer and the purity

of the zinc. (The rate of freezing, of course, depends principally upon the

heat loss to the furnace, i.e., the temperature setting of the furnace).

Freezes lasting as long as three days have been observed at NBS, but 12 to 16

hour freezes are more typical. SPRTs may be consecutively calibrated in a single zinc freeze if the thermometers are preheated (see Fig. IV. 16). The

pre-heating of the thermometer minimizes the growth of the inner freeze on the

well and thereby extends the useful life of the freeze. Care must be

exercised to avoid melting a hole in the inner freeze or loosening the mantle

on the well causing the mantle to slide to the bottom of the crucible. To ensure that no melting and no excessive freezing occurs, the thermometer is

preheated to a temperature slightly below that of the zinc point before

inserting it into the cell. A check SPRT is set aside at NBS for checking the

constancy of the freeze, and it is used for both the first and last

measurement in each freeze. The freezing-point measurements are normally not

conducted at exactly the specified pressure of 1 standard atmosphere and a correction is made for this departure. The pressure at the interface

surrounding the thermometer resistor includes both the gas pressure over the

sample and the pressure due to the head of liquid zinc. For zinc at the

222
melting point, the value of dt/dp is +5.7 x io °C/torr or +2.7^ x lo °C/cm

column of liquid zinc.

The immersion characteristics of an SPRT were tested in one of the zincpoint cells that has been described here. The observed resistances are shown

in Fig. IV . 1 7 as a function of the distance from the bottom of the crucible

thermometer well. The results show that the immersion of the SPRT in the cell

is more than adequate.

The NBS maintains a bank of fixed-point cells (TPW, tin point, and zinc

point), which have been tested and found to yield temperatures that agree

within ± 0.1 mK, and a bank of reference standard SPRTs (for the oxygen point

and for temperatures between 13 K and 90 K). The results of the measurements

with these cells demonstrate that the fixed points used at the NBS are highly

reproducible and, since materials of exceptionally high purity are used, the

temperatures obtained are close to those of pure substances. As part of an internal SPRT Measurement Assurance Program (SPRT -MAP) and as indicated above,

measurements are obtained with check SPRTs whenever the fixed-point devices

are used in calibration. The results for check SPRT 200 at the zinc point are shown in Fig. VI. 1 for a number of calibration batches.

As another test of reproducibility of the NBS calibrations at the fixed

points, an SPRT was repeatedly calibrated (including the initial annealing) in seven successive batches of calibrations. The sequence of calibration of this

"test" SPRT (thermometer E) was varied within each batch of SPRTs that were to

be calibrated for the customers so that the location of calibration on the

freezing "plateaux" of the zinc- and tin-point cells was varied for the SPRT.

The values of W that were obtained at the zinc, tin, and oxygen points are compared (relative to the first calibration in batch 74D) in Fig. VI. 2 along

with those calibrations obtained for thermometers A, B, C, and D that were used in an NBS MAP. The standard deviations of the measurements are

summarized in Table VI. 1. The results show that the variations in the

calibrations of thermometer E, although larger than those for the check SPRTs,

are comparable to those obtained for thermometers A, B, C, and D; therefore,

the additional handling and "use" of the NBS-MAP thermometers did not seem to

have affected the calibration of those SPRTs to a large extent. (These

223
measurements were on only one thermometer E ; other SPRTs may show better or worse reproducibility.)

Figure VI. 3 shows more clearly how the observations obtained with

thermometer E changed with each calibration. The symbols A, , and are associated with the measurements at the zinc, tin, and oxygen points,

respectively. The same symbols are used to represent the observations at the

TPW after the measurements at the above three fixed points. The symbol 0

represents the initial measurments at the TP after annealing the SPRT. The

filled in symbols represent the values of W(t) at the corresponding fixed

points. The plot shows that the values of the SPRT resistance tended to

increase with each calibration. However, the values of W(t) obtained at the

fixed points do not show any definite trend. Figure VI. 4 shows how the values

of W(t) (in terms of equivalent values in t) vary relative to those of the

first calibration. As can be seen, the values of the first calibration were slightly outside of those values obtained in later calibrations.

Vl.l.b. Random uncertainties at the tin point

The realization of either the tin point or the steam point is necessary

for the calibration of SPRTs in accordance with the specifications set forth

in the text of the IPTS-68( 75 ). The tin point (231.9681 °C) has two

distinctive advantages; first, the temperature is much closer than the steam

point to the midpoint between the triple point of water and the zinc point

and, therefore, tends to produce less error in the calibration of the

thermometer (see Fig. II.1); second, and of greater practical importance, the

solid-liquid equilibrium temperature of tin is 8600 times less sensitive to

pressure changes than the liquid-vapor equilibrium temperature of water at a pressure of 1 atmosphere. For the freezing point of tin,

-6 -5

dt/dp = +4.3 x 10 °C/torr or +2.2 x 10 °C/(cm column of liquid tin).

Therefore, knowledge of the pressure to within ± 1 torr is adequate for

determining the temperature of a tin-point freeze.

In preparation for tin freezing-point measurements, the tin-point cell is

placed in the furnace (held about 10 °C above the tin point) until complete

melting occurs. During the heating process, the cell temperature, which is

monitored with an SPRT, rises until melting begins, becomes nearly constant

224
until the melting is completed, and then rises again. There is no reason to

raise the temperature of the tin more than a few tenths of a degree above the

melting point. In a furnace with large temperature gradients, precautions

should be taken to make certain that the metal is completely melted. There is no evidence to indicate that heating tin several degrees above its melting

point in an inert atmosphere is harmful to the sample.

After melting is complete, the furnace is allowed to cool to the tin

point. A thermometer is inserted in the cell well and instrumented so that a temperature range of 25 °C below the tin point can be visually monitored to

within about 0.5 °C. The Guildline Bridge is used for this purpose. When the

cell has cooled to the tin point, it is removed from the furnace. The cell

temperature, after a few seconds, will suddenly decrease very rapidly, perhaps

as much as 20 or 25 °C. As soon as its temperature stops decreasing, the cell

is immediately lowered into the furnace again; subsequently, the cell

temperature will increase even more rapidly than it previously decreased. If

the cell temperature is examined in more detail, the final approach to the tin

point (the last few ten- thousandths of a degree) will be seen to take a few

minutes (see Fig. IV.11). When the temperature plateau is reached, the SPRT

is measured. It may then be removed and a second SPRT inserted. The second

thermometer is preheated above the tin point so that its temperature, during

insertion into the cell, slightly exceeds that of the cell. Figure IV. 12

shows the results of successive insertions of the same SPRT in a single tin

freeze

.

An experimental procedure similar to that described above for observing

the supercooling of the tin may be used to check the preheating of an SPRT

before inserting it into the tin-point cell. The thermometer should be

preheated and held in the air over the cell while monitoring the decreasing

thermometer temperature. As a first approximation, the thermometer can be

inserted into the cell when its indicated temperature is 30 °C above the tin

point. If subsequent close monitoring indicates that the thermometer

temperature is rising, then the thermometer was too cold when it was inserted.

Several thermometers may be consecutively calibrated during one freeze if each

is properly preheated (see Fig. IV. 12). A simple check on the temperature

constancy during a freeze is afforded by employing the same check thermometer

225
in both the first and last measurements in a series of SPRT calibrations.

Those measurements must agree to within 0.5 mK or the test thermometers are

calibrated again using a new freeze. At NBS a single SPRT is set aside and

used only for this purpose of experimental control.

The immersion characteristics of an SPRT were tested in one of the tinpoint cells that were described earlier. The observed resistances are shown

in Fig. IV . 1 3 as a function of the distance from the bottom of the crucible

thermometer well. The results show that the immersion of the SPRT in the cell

is more than adequate. This figure does not, however, show the temperature

23 gradient expected from the change in pressure with depth.

In reduction of the calibration data, the temperature at the point of

immersion of the SPRT in the tin point is employed. The value of temperature

assigned in the text of the IPTS -68(75) is adjusted for the departure from the

equilibrium conditions specified for the fixed point; i.e., an adjustment of

temperature is made for the effect of the hydrostatic head of liquid tin and

for any departure from 1 standard atmosphere of the gas pressure in the cell.

The high reproducibility of the tin point may be seen in the results of

tests made at the NBS that compare the freezing points of a number of tin

samples. See Fig. IV. 14. All of the measurements are plotted relative to the

mean of samples 6C and 6E. The individual measurements (one for each freeze)

are shown as short horizontal bars; four freezes are represented for each cell

with the exception of 6K on which only two freezes were performed. The values

are based on determinations of R(t)/R(0 °C) that were obtained from

extrapolations to zero thermometer current of observations of R(t)s and

R(0 °C)s at 1 and 2 mA . The R(t)s were measured 1.5 hours after the

initiation of a freeze, the R(0 °C)s were measured immediately after every

determination of the R(t)s. The average standard deviation of measurements on

a given cell from freeze to freeze is 0.05 mK . The samples identified as 5

were reported to be 99.999 percent pure: the samples identified as 5 were reported to be 99.9999 percent pure. The sample identified as 6M was

accidentally overheated to a temperature above 500 °C.

The results for check SPRT 199 at the tin freezing point are shown in

Fig. VI. 5 for a number of calibration batches. The standard deviation of

values of W of check SPRT 199 at the tin point is given in Table VI. 1.

226
"Test" SPRT E was repeatedly calibrated in seven successive batches of

calibrations, as stated previously, and this meant seven measurements at the

tin point. The results of those calibrations are shown in Figs. VI. 2, VI.

3

and VI. 4 and in Table VI. 1.

VI. I.e. Random Uncertainties at the Triple Point of Water

Although R(0 °C) for the resistance ratio W may be obtained from

measurements at the ice point, in routine measurements it is most accurately

obtained from the resistance measurements at the TPW, R(TPW). In an

20 intercomparison of fifteen TPW cells at the NBS, the averages of readings on

20 each of the cells were all within a range of 0.2 mK. Also, in another test,

the range of readings obtained over three days on each of eight TPW cells

(same mantles) was 0.01 mK . In terms of the resistance value at 0 °C, 0.01 mK

-8

corresponds to 4 x 10 R(0 °C).

As indicated earlier, PRTs are calibrated after annealing by measuring

their resistance at the fixed points in the following sequence: TPW, zinc

point, TPW, tin point, TPW, oxygen point, and TPW. Figures VI. 6 and VI. 7 show

the variations in the values R(0 °C) for each thermometer about its mean for

PRTs that were received for calibration during a two-year period (June 1972

through July 1974). The symbols 0, A, , and O correspond to R(0 °C)^,

R(0 "C)^, R(0 °C)^ and R(0 °C)q, respectively, that were calculated from the

corresponding values of R(TPW). For most SPRTs four measurements at the TPW

are shown. For some SPRTs, measurements at the oxygen point were not

requested; therefore, R(TPW)q measurements were not obtained. For capsuletype PRTs, data are shown only when calibration was requested for the range

-183 °C to 300 °C; therefore, the plots correspond to R(TPW)j, R(TPW)^, and

R(TPW)q. The standard deviations of the observed R(TPW) values for the PRTs

are, on the average, 0.15 mK. (As previously mentioned, whenever the range of

observed R(TPW)s for a PRT corresponds to 0.75 mK or greater in the initial

calibration, the PRT is recalibrated; such rejected measurements are not shown

in the plot. Also, as mentioned previously, a range of 1 mK in the observed

values of R(TPW)s is accepted as not atypical for certain designs of PRTs.)

An error in R(TPW) equivalent to ± 0.15 mK corresponds to an error in the

value of W at the tin point equivalent to ± 0.30 mK and at the zinc point of

227
± 0.44 mK, assuming that R(Sn) and R(Zn), respectively, have been determined

without error.

Vl.l.d. Random uncertainties at the oxygen normal boiling point

The oxygen normal boiling point calibration is realized at the NBS by

reference to the NBS-55 scale adjusted to correspond to the IPTS-68(75). The

temperature (hotness) assigned to the oxygen point, now maintained by SPRT

standards, is 0.0019 K lower than that maintained previously on the NBS-1955

3 scale. This change resulted from efforts made to achieve uniformity in

several national temperature scales. SPRTs are calibrated at the oxygen point

by a comparison method in terms of reference standard SPRTs, using a copper

block apparatus that is maintained close to the oxygen point during the

measurements and as nearly isothermal as possible. The results of repeated

measurements over a two-year period on "check SPRTs" show the standard

deviation of the oxygen-point calibration to correspond to 0.16 raK, as shown

in Table VI. 1

.

The results for check SPRT 250 at the oxygen point are shown in Figure

VI. 8 for a number of calibration batches. The results for "test" SPRT E obtained in seven successive calibrations are shown in Figs. VI. 2, VI.

3

and VI. 4 and in Table VI. 1.

VI. 2. Systematic Uncertainties

VI. 2. a. Those due to changes in the SPRTs

39-41 42

Berry reported that with PRTs containing oxygen in the protective

sheath, the R(TPW) readings, following annealing at 450 °C, increased up to 3 or 4 ppm when exposed to temperatures of 200 °C to 250 °C over a period of seven days. Depending upon the PRT, an increase of 1 to 3 ppni was shown to

occur within the first hour of exposure to 200 °C to 250 °C. Accordingly, the

R(TPW) readings would be expected to be higher than the R(TPW) and R(TPW)

i J. Zj readings, the increase being dependent upon how long the PRT was in the tinpoint cell. In general, the observed R(TPW)^ readings are indeed somewhat

higher than the R(TPW) and R(TPW) readings in SPRT calibrations. This

oxygen-activated thermal effect on the resistance of a PRT seems to impose a limitation on the precision that can be obtained with PRTs. However, a change

228
of 3 ppm in the R(TPW) readings corresponds closely to 0.8 mK : such a large

increase in the R(TPW) readings after measurements at the tin point has seldom

been observed. It seems that the length of time (approximately 30 minutes,

including the time in the preheating furnace) the SPRT is at the tin-point

temperature during calibration is not enough to convert the SPRT to a 43 noticeably higher value of the R(TPW).

The relative values of R(TPW) show certain tendencies; e.g., R(TP^)^ is more often lower than R(TPW)^, approximately twice as often lower than higher.

However, R(TPW)^ is more often higher than both R(TPW)j and RCTPW)^, almost

twice as often higher than lower. R(TPW)q is more often higher than R(TPW)^,

approximately 1-1/3 times as often higher than lower. These observations

suggest that either in cooling from the annealing temperature of 480 °C some strains are quenched in, which are removed when heated at the zinc point, or that the additional heating at the zinc point, following the heating at 480 °C

for 4 hours, causes more annealing of the PRT. The latter seems more

44 consistent since the work of Berry suggests that in cooling rapidly from

500 °C only about 0.1 ppm of R(0 °C) of strain resistance (a change that

corresponds to 0.02 mK ) can be quenched in. The observation that values of

R(TPW) were twice as often higher than those of R(TPW) and R(TPW) seems to

39-41

support the work of Berry in that when an annealed SPRT is exposed to

temperatures of 200 °C to 250 °C, the R(TPW) increases 3 or 4 ppm over a period of seven days. Since R(TPW)q is 1-1/3 times as often higher than it is

lower than R(TPW)^, some SPRTs may have been slightly strained between these

two measurements.

VI. 2. b. Those due to immersion errors Inadequate immersion of an SPRT can lead to a systematic error. The

adequacy of immersion of a PRT in a TPW cell can be best checked by

measurements at three depths of immersion, e.g., at the bottom, 3 cm up from

the bottom, and 6 cm up from the bottom. If the immersion is adequate at the

bottom and at 3 cm and 6 cm up from the bottom, the PRT readings should track

the effect of the hydrostatic head of water in the TPW cell, i.e., the

readings at 3 cm and 6 cm up from the bottom should be about 21 \iK and 42 yK,

respectively, higher than that at the bottom. The relatively small effect of

229
the hydrostatic head in the cell may be obscured by the variations in the

total self heating because of variations in the thermal contact of the PRT in

the cell when the vertical location of the PRT is adjusted. Hence, to test

for the effect of the hydrostatic head of water in the TPW cell, it is

essential to carry out two-current measurements and obtain the zero-current

resistance readings which eliminate the effects of self heating. (At the NBS, as mentioned previously, the PRTs are immersed 29 or 33 cm depending upon the

depth of the thermometer well of the TPW cell).

Adequacy of immersion in a tin-point cell or a zinc-point cell may be

checked by the same procedure as employed with the TPW cell. In the case of

the tin-point cell, readings at 3 cm and 6 cm up from the bottom should be

about 66 \iK and 132 uK, respectively, lower than that at the bottom and in the

case of the zinc-point cell, readings at 3 cm and 6 cm up from the bottom

should be about 81 yK and 162 pK, respectively, lower than that at the bottom,

if the immersion of the PRT is adequate at the three levels in the cells. At

the NBS, the mid-points of PRT sensors are immersed about 18 cm below the

liquid surface of the tin and zinc samples. Moreover, to improve the

"immersion characteristics", the PRTs are tempered by the graphite heat shunts

located above the graphite crucible containing the metal sample.

In the oxygen point apparatus, the copper block is very nearly

isothermal. The adequacy of immersion may be checked by reducing the

immersion of the PRT in the copper block. If the "combined immersion" (the

tempering through the liquid nitrogen and at the shields and the immersion in

the copper block) is adequate, readings at two levels of immersion in the

copper block should be essentially the same.

VI. 2. c. Those due to inadequacies in the IPTS-68(75)

The IPTS-68(75) itself has systematic errors inherent to the scale in the sense that it does not represent thermodynamic temperatures exactly. The

range over which thermodynamic temperatures have been realized by gas

45 thermometry at the NBS has been extended to 730 K. The results were

preserved by measuring the corresponding international practical temperatures.

The difference between them is expressed as the following polynomial:

230
T/K - T /K = -120,887.78M/T^j. + 1 21 3- 53295/T,„ - 4.31 59552 (VI. 1)

+ 6.4J40756M7 X 10

68

- 3.56638846 x 10 ^T^

68

which is valid in the range 273 K to 730 K.

The differences found and the estimated measurement uncertainties at the

three defining fixed points in the range covered are given in Table VI. 2 and

shown in Fig. VI. 9.

The IPTS-68(75 ) scale between 13-81 K and 90. 188 K which is presently

maintained at NBS was obtained by first adjusting the values of T(NBS-55) of

the reference PRT by the published differences between the IPTS-68 and the

3 NBS-1955 scale. To obtain a smooth scale, the deviation (AW) between each of

these adjusted values and the corresponding value of the reference functions

(W*) was smoothed by a least squares method using the nearest five points.

These smoothed values of AW were added to the reference function values and a resulting table was subtabulated at 0.1 K intervals by cubic interpolation.

The temperature scale represented by these tabular values will be referred to

here as NBS-IPTS-68 (tabular).

Because the NBS-IPTS-68 (tabular) scale is not convenient for computer

use, the "best" IPTS-68 coefficients of the deviation functions were derived

from the values of the tabular scale. This derived scale which is given in

terms of the coefficients of the deviation functions will be referred to as

the NBS-IPTS-68 or the NBS-IPTS-68( 75 ) scale. The NBS-IPTS-68 and NBS-IPTS-68

(tabular) temperature scales are compared in Fig. VI. 10. The differences

between the two "scales" become somewhat larger in terms of the temperature

below about 20 K, but in terms of resistance, the deviations are about the

same over the whole temperature range. The lengths of the vertical lines

represent 20 Below 21 K the deviations.

are connected to show more clearly the general trend in the differences

between the two scales. Because of the numerical smoothing procedure employed

TLNBS-IPTS-68 (tabular)] - T[NBS-IPTS-68]

,

231
in obtaining the NBS-IPTS-68 (tabular) scale, the deviation plot exhibits some "noise ."

The relation between the NBS-IPTS-68 and the IPTS -68(75) can be assessed

from measurements, e.g., at the fixed points, employing thermometers that have

been calibrated in terms of the NBS scale.

VI. 2. d. Those due to uncertainties in temperature fixed-point values and in

measurements

Since the fixed-point materials are real materials, impurities are

present, although at low levels. Such impuritiies will cause the "fixedpoint" temperatures of the materials to be different from the assigned values

of the IPTS-68(75). Since the tin and zinc fixed-point cells are filled with

samples that are 99.99995^ (or greater) pure, and since the melting/ freezing curves and the variations of the freezing-point temperatures indicate that the

samples are very pure, the systematic uncertainty from this source is small

(but larger than the random uncertainty). Assuming Raoult's law of dilute

solutions, the 1 part per million (ppm) impurity in the tin and zinc samples

yields an uncertainty of about ± 0.00030 °C in the tin-point temperature and

an uncertainty of about ± 0.0005^ °C in the zinc-point temperature.

The uncertainty at the triple point of water due to systematic errors is

estimated to be ± 0.04 mK . This results from differences in the isotopic

compositions of ocean water and the normally occuring continental surface

water. '

The uncertainty from systematic instrumental errors is estimated to be

7 about 2 parts in 10 . Since ratios of the resistance at temperature t to that

at 0 °C are made, this corresponds to about ± 0.16 mK at the zinc point,

±0.11 mK at the tin point, and ± 0.05 mK at the oxygen point.

To the systematic instrumental uncertainty values at the tin and zinc

points, one must add the uncertainties resulting from the systematic errors caused by sample impurities. The uncertainties at the tin and zinc-point

temperatures resulting from these systematic errors then are estimated to be

about ± 0.32 mK and about ± 0.56 mK, respectively.

26 When the CCT set up the IPTS-68, they arbitrarily changed the hotness

of the NBS oxygen point and this leads to a systematic error in our

232
+ 09 calibrations at the oxygen point of about _

2

9

'^^ * region from

13-81 K to 90.188 K, the uncertainty resulting from systematic errors relative

to the NBS-IPTS-68 ( 75 ) wire scale is estimated to be $ ± 0.5 mK over the

entire range.

VI. 3. Propagation of Errors

The usefulness of a measured value of temperature depends strongly upon

both the magnitude of its uncertainty and knowledge of that magnitude.

Reduction of the errors contributing to the uncertainty is primarily limited

by the ingenuity of the experimentalist; there is, however an inherent source

of uncertainty or spread of temperature values on any practical scale which is

predicated upon the use of real materials, even if "perfectly" calibrated

thermometers are used and no error is introduced in the measurements.

Unfortunately, only scattered data are available from which one could infer

the degree of this ambiguity or possible spread of values of the defined

46 IPTS-68(75). McLaren did not find a distinctive difference among the

measured temperature values at 321 °C and 231 °C of eleven thermometers with a ranging from 0.003921 °C~^ to 0.003926 °C~\ (Five of the eleven thermometers

met the requirements of lPTS-68(75), i.e., a equal to or greater than

0.0039250 °C \) The sensitiviity of McLaren's test was about ± 0.5 mK; his

results indicate a spread of temperature values which are an order of

magnitude smaller than the spread reported earlier for seven thermometers of

much less pure platinum (a from 0.003909 °C~^ to 0.003925 °C~^ ) by Hoge and

1 2 Brickwedde. These latter thermometers, while acceptable on the ITS -27 which

was in use at the time of their work, were not made of sufficiently pure

platinum to meet the requirement of the IPTS-68 that a equal or exceed

0.0039250 °C \ The thermometers that were investigated by Hoge and

Brickwedde showed a spread of 7 mK between -190 °C and 0 °C, and a spread of

1.3 mK between 0 and 100 °C. The six thermometers measured between 100 °C and

444 °C had a maximum spread of 12 mK. Data which would indicate the spread of

interpolated values of temperature on the IPTS-68 below 0 °C due to the

variations in presently acceptable platinum wire is sparse and inadequate. On

1 7 the basis of existing data, Bedford and Ma estimated that the IPTS-68 is

reproducible to ± 3 mK between 14 K and 20 K, ± 1 mK between 20 K and 54 K,

233
± 2 mK between 54 K and 90 K, and ± 5 mK between 90 K and 273 K. It should be

pointed out that, in addition to unaccounted for variations in the platinum

wire, a spread in the temperature values may arise also from incomplete

definitions of the materials that define the fixed points (e.g., their

isotopic composition).

The remainder of this section will deal with uncertainties that arise

both from errors of measurement by the user and from errors of calibration.

Many of the same kinds of error sources plague both the calibrator and

the user. The errors may be divided into two categories; first, a temperature

error, i.e., a difference between the actual thermometer temperature and the

temperature of the point of interest or reference temperature, and second, a resistance error, i.e., a difference between the measured resistance and the

resistance of the sensor. For example, temperature errors occur because of an unknown difference between the temperature of the thermometer and the

equilibrium temperature realized in a fixed-point apparatus used for

calibration. [The calibrator is also plagued, of course, by any unknown

difference between the equilibrium temperature realized in his fixed-point

apparatus and the equilibrium temperature defined by the lPTS-68 ( 75 ) ]

.

Temperature errors also occur because of unknown temperature differences

between the thermometer and the object of interest in the user's apparatus.

The experimenter must decide where to place the thermometer to minimize the

magnitude of this error. In considering the errors of thermometer resistance

measurements, one must examine not only the reproducibility and calibration of

the measuring equipment but also the measurement technique.

The following analysis describes the error in the calculated value of

temperature that results from errors made in calibrating the SPRT at the fixed

points. Any additional imprecision and inaccuracy introduced by the user are

assumed to be best known by him.

At any value of temperature t, the total differential of t for an SPRT

is,

, ' " = n-lt:) dt. . n^) dw., m.z)

- 1111

234
where t. is the temperature attributed to the calibration fixed point and W

1 1 is the value of the resistance ratio, R(t.)/R(0 °C), attributed to that

temperature. The analysis may be simplied by converting any error in the

value of temperature attributed to the calibrating fixed point to an equivalent error in W at that fixed-point; then, the term in dt^ of Eq. (VI. 2)

becomes incorporated in the term in dW^ and Eq. (VI. 2) reduces to

dt = I (|^] dW. . (VI.3)

i i

where dW . now includes the contribution from errors in the values of

1 temperature as well as the errors in the values of R(t)/R(0 °C) at the

calibration points. By using Eq . (VI.3), the error in the value of

temperature t on the IPTS-68(75 ) caused by an error in corresponding to a positive unit error in t^ was evaluated as a function of temperature.

Figure II. 1 shows the errors in values of temperature that would result from

calibration errors at each of the fixed points. For each curve, the

calibration error is assumed to have occurred at only one fixed point with no calibration error at the other fixed points.

Measurements at the triple point of water should be a part of platinum

resistance thermometry work and W(t), i.e., R(t)/R(0 °C), should be used in

calculating temperature. Values of W(t) are particularly sensitive to errors

in R(0 °C) in applications at high temperatures where any error of R(0 °C)

becomes amplified. Figure II. 1 shows the error curve resulting from an error

in R(0 °C) corresponding to a positive unit error in temperature.

Figure VI. 11 shows how the error curves would look if the aluminum

freezing point ( 660.-46 °C) were included also as a calibration point.

As outlined earlier, from 0 °C (273.15 K) to 630.74 °C (903.89 K)

the values of temperature on the IPTS -68(75) may be expressed in the forms

t^Q = t' + M(f) (VI. 4)

and

W(t' ) = 1 + At' + Bt' , (VI. 5)

235
where

A = a(1 + 6/100) (VI. 6)

and

B = -10 ^a6 (VI. 7)

Also, from Eqs. (VI. 6) and (VI. 7)

and

a = (A + 100 B) (VI. 8)

4

6 = -10 B/(A + 100 B). (VI. 9)

From the definition of a, it follows that

a = [W(100 °C) - 1]/100 °C (VI. 10)

At T= 273.15 K (or t = 0 °C) the reference function and its first and second

"3 ~1

derivatives are continuous with Eq. (VI. 5) for a = 3.9259668 x io °C and

6 = 1.496334 °C. (These values are referred to as a* and 6*, respectively.)

The first derivatives of real PRTs, however, are not continuous at 0 °C, but

—8 — 1 the discontinuity is expected to be at most about 3 10 °C or 0.0008

percent and, therefore, can be neglected for most purposes.

The contribution of a to the calibration coefficients of a PRT in the

subranges below 0 °C will be demonstrated in the following. From Eq. (VI. 10)

W(100 °C) = 100a + 1 (VI. II)

and

W*(100 °C) = 100a* + 1. (VI. 12)

236
Substractlng Eq. (VI. 12) from Eq. (VI. 11) and substituting in

AW^(t) = b^t + e^t (t-100) (VI. 13)

at 100 °C, there results

b,, = a - a* (VI. U)

When Eq. (VI. 13) is solved for e,, at t

= (AW^(tQ) - b^tQ)/t^(tQ - 100). (VI. 15)

Thus, both coefficients b^^ and e^ of Eq. (VI. 13) are affected by the value of

a. The derivative of Eq. (VI. 13) is

Values of -b^ and e^^ of some 28 capsule-type PRTs that were calibrated over

—7 —f\ 2-1/2 years at NBS ranged from -7.900 x 10 to +1.0833 x 10 and from

-14

-2.27 X 10 to +2.31 2Q ^ "10

, respectively. The coefficients b^ and e^

of 166 long-stem PRTs that were determined over the same period of time by

calibration at the triple point of water, tin and zinc points, and the NBP of

— 7 — 6 oxygen, ranged from -9.668 x 10 to +I.31O8 x 10 and

-5.26^2 ^ 10~^^ to +3.04^^ x 10~^^, respectively. Since the factor 4t^(t-75)

equals about -3 x 10^ at the oxygen point, the two terms of Eq. (VI. 16) can be

comparable in magnitude at that temperature. When Eq. (VI. 16) is expressed in

terms of the measured quantities b^^ and W(tQ) by substituting Eq. (VI. 15) for

e, , there is obtained

(VI. 16)

{d[AW^(t)]/dt}Q = 4AW^(tQ)(tQ-75) - b^tQ(3tQ- 200)

t^it^ - 100)

(VI. 17)

When -182.962 °C is substituted for t 0' Eq. (VI. 17) becomes

237
{d[AW^(t)]/dt}Q = -[2.64659gb^ + 0 . 01 99308gAW^ ( ) ] . (VI. 18)

Again, since AW^Ct^) ranges from about -2.0 x 10 to +1 x 10 , the

contribution of b^ to the derivative at the oxygen point can be comparable to

that of the measured value of AW^Ct^). (The values of b^ and AW^(tQ) have

been found to be closely connected. When b^ is relatively large, i.e., when

a is relatively large, AW^(tQ) is negatively larger; when b^ is negative,

^^^{t^) is positive.)

Capsule-type PRTs are calibrated first at the triple point (TP) of water

and at the tin point before calibrating in the region of 13 K to 90 K.

Because of possible damage to and electrical leakage across the metal-glass

lead seal at high temperatures, capsule-type PRTs are not calibrated at the

zinc point as is routinely done with long-stem type PRTs. Also, capsule-type

PRTs are not given any annealing treatment at NBS. The calibration sequence

consists of measurements at the TP of water, tin point, TP of water, and over

the 1 3 K to 90 K range. To obtain a from the calibration measurements at the

TP of water and the tin point, an average value of B (approximately

-7 -2

-5.8755 X 10 °C ) is employed. This number is based on values obtained

previously on 203 long-stem type PRTs. The range of values of B on long-stem

- 1 0 -2

type PRTs is 5 x 10 °C . From Eq. (VI. 8)

5§-M.,oo m.,9)

and at the tin point from Eq. (VI. 5)

^ = -231 .9292 ; (VI. 20) dB

thus

da = -131 .9292 dB. (VI. 21

)

Therefore, by choosing to use the mean value of B, there would be an

_g _ -j uncertainty in a (or in bj^ ) of about ± 3 x 10 °C (equivalent to about 1 mK

at the NBP of water). (A survey of the values of B obtained on long-stem PRTs

238
that were received during 2-1/2 years shows the average to be closer to -7-2 -10-2

-5.8768 X 10 °C and the range to be about 4 x 10 °C ). A survey of 28

capsule-type PRTs shows that the derivatives at the NBP of oxygen of the

deviation functions could be 3 x 10 °C or smaller. This indicates that

the value of the derivative of the deviation function at the oxygen point

could be obscured by the uncertainty in the value of B that is used.

An error in the realization of the NBP of water (or in the calculated

value of W(100 °C) because of a calibration error at the tin point) results in an error in the value of a. From Eq. (VI. 10)

da/dt' = (1/100) dWdOO °C)/dt' (VI. 22)

and from Eq. (VI. 5)

dW/df = A + 2Bt' . (VI. 23)

Thus,

da = (1/100)(A + 200B)dt'. (VI. 24)

Since A is about 3.98 x 10~^ °C~^ and B is about -5.87 x 10 °C ^,

da = 3.86 x lo'^dt. (VI. 25)

(df is replaced by dt in this approximation because at 100 °C, dt/dt' is

— 8 — 1 about 1.003 .) Thus, an uncertainty in a of ± 3 x 10 °C , caused by

employing the mean value of B, is equivalent to an uncertainty of about ± 1 mK

in the realization of the NBP of water. Irrepr oduc i bi 1 i ti es of ± 0.1 mK to

± 1 mK have been reported for the NBP of water, indicating that the

uncertainty in B is comparable to the irreproducibility of the NBP of water.

The effect of an error in the realization of the tin point on the value

of a is shown by the following. When Eq. (VI. 5) is substituted for A in Eq.

(VI. 8), there is obtained

239
a =

^, + BdOO - f ) (VI. 26)

When Eq. (VI. 26) is differentiated with respect to W,

da = dW/t' , (VI. 27)

if an assumed average B is used. By substituting Eq. (VI. 5) for A in Eq.

(VI. 23), the effect of a change in temperature on W is obtained as

, ^ . dW = [ ^ " ^ + Bt'] dt'. (VI. 28)

Substitution of Eq. (VI. 28) for dW in Eq. (VI. 27) gives

da = [ ^+ b] dt' (VI. 29)

At the tin point, W is approximately 1.892, dt/dt' is about 1.0002, and since

B is about -5.876 x lo'''' °c"^, Eq. (VI. 29) becomes

da = 1 .6 X lo'^dt, (VI. 30)

which shows that the effect on a (or b^ ) of a unit error of temperature at the

tin point (if using an assumed value of B) is about 0.4 of that obtained f or a unit error of temperature at the NBP of water.

The foregoing analysis shows that the errors of calibration above 0 °C

could contribute a relatively large amount to the derivative of the deviation

function at the oxygen point. However, errors of computed temperatures in the

region below 0 °C are determined by the absolute magnitude of the error in the

value of the deviation function. From

't = f A.

^nmr^^S^^ , j=0 ^ 3.28 J

20

6T = (dT/dW*(T))6W*(T) = A^!!!!!

I jA.[(1n W*(T) + 3. 28)/3. 28]-^ \ (VI. 31)

W*(T) j=0 ^

240
and f rom W(T) = W*(T) + AW.(T) (VI. 32)

6W*(T) = -6AW. (T) . (VI. 33)

1

(The effect of an error of resistance ratio measurement 6W(T) by the user of

the PRT is not considered in this discussion; that error can be best estimated

by the user and combined with the error of calibration 6AW^(t) to determine

the overall error.) In the region of 13 K to 90 K, dT/dW*(T) ranges from

about ^918 K to 230 K so that the error 6AW. (T) must be smaller than 2 x lo"''' ~ 6

^ at 1 3 K and smaller than 4 x 10 at 90 K for the temperature error 6T to be

I mK or less. This corresponds to a resistance measurement error of an SPRT,

with an R(0 °C) of 25 fi, of less than 5 x 1 0

^ at 1 3 K and less than

-5

II x 10 at 90 K. The effect of an error in the deviation AWCt^) at the

NBP of oxygen on the final deviation functions between 13 K and 90 K was analyzed by numerical techniques using a computer.

In the second method of analysis, the experimental values obtained at

temperatures close to the fixed points were "extrapolated", without the use of

the observations at the intermediate temperatures, to the appropriate fixed

points to obtain W and then the AW. The IPTS-58(75) deviation functions were

derived from those extrapolated values. This method of analysis will be

referred to as the fixed-point method. This analysis procedure illustrates

the case when only the defining fixed points are employed in calibrating PRTs.

In the analysis of the interrelationship of the deviation functions of

the IPTS-68(75) for PRTs presented here, the calibration obtained on a typical

capsule-type PRT was taken to be "perfect." Various types of errors, to be

subsequently described, were introduced into the calibration of this PRT and

the results are compared with the results of the "perfect" calibration. Plots

show the temperature differences or the deviations between the two

"calibrations ."

A computer analysis was made in terms of how a unit positive error of

temperature in the realization of the NBP of water is reflected in the

reduction of the calibration data in the region of 13 K to 90 K. The results

are shown in Fig. VI. 12. The effect of the error is shown to be attenuated

241
and is smaller between about 30 K and 87 K for the least squares treatment of

the data than for the fixed-point treatment but at other temperatures the

effect is larger for the least-squares method. Since the least-squares method

involves the minimization of the absolute error in W, the relatively large

deviations at the lower temperatures shown in Figure VI. 12 reflect the

increased sensitivity in 3t/9W*(t) at those temperatures. These relatively

large temperature deviations at the lower temperatures will be seen in other

figures also. There is shown also in Figure VI. 12 how a unit positive error

of temperature in the realization of the TP of water is reflected in the

reduction of the calibration data in the region of 13 K to 90 K. This

measurement error causes an error in a and in R(0 °C). Figure VI. 12 shows

also the effect of a resistance error in R(0 °C) corresponding to a unit

positive error of temperature, but with no error in a. In general, the

results obtained in the latter two cases with the least-squares treatment and

the fixed-point treatment are very similar to those obtained with an error at

the NBP of water. As pointed out earlier, in employing the average value of B in the calibration of capsule PRTs, there results an uncertainty equivalent to an uncertainty of ± 1 mK in the realization of the NBP of water. Figure VI. 12

shows that this uncertainty corresponds to less than 0.1 mK over most of the

1 3 K to 90 K range. In the least squares treatment, the error would amount to

about 0.1 mK at 65 K and 90 K.

For the least squares treatment, the effect of taking additional

observations below 90 K was examined as a possible way to reduce the influence

of the calibration errors above 0 °C. Figure VI. 13 shows the results of three

times more data between 54 K and 90 K and between 13 K and 20 K. The

additional data between 54 K and 90 K make a relatively small improvement on the deviations above about 50 K and make the deviation worse below 50 K. The

additional data between 13 K and 20 K result in significant reduction of the

deviations between 13 K and 40 K and very little change in the deviations

above about 50 K.

Figures VI. 14 and VI. 15 show the effect of unit positive error in the

realization of the fixed-point temperatures at 90.188, 54.361, 27.102, 20.28,

17.042, and 13.81 K. The results of both 1 eas t- squares and fixed-point

treatments are shown. The least-squares treatment propagates the errors both

242
upward and downward and causes relatively larger deviations at the lower

temperatures than does the fixed-point treatment. However, the overall

average deviation is smaller for the least-squares method.

The least-squares treatment of errors of observation at temperatures

between the fixed points was also examined. Figure VI. 16 shows that the error

is attenuated significantly, although the error is propagated to other

temperature regions, particularly to lower temperatures. The error at 15.4 K is reduced to 46 percent, that at 18.6 K to 37 percent, that at 23.7 K to 26

percent, that at 40.7 K to 28 percent, and that at 78.2 K to 28 percent.

Thus, considering only the possible measurement errors, the least-squares

analysis of the calibration data should yield better results than the fixedpoint method. Additional data at the lower temperatures, particularly below

about 25 K, and increased weighting of those data should improve the results

of the least-squares treatment of calibration data.

In the following discussion, a series of plots of the differences between

the calculated values and the observed values is shown to indicate the

reproducibility of PRT comparison calibrations performed at the NBS over 2-1/2

years, using the least squares computer program. In addition to the leastsquares method, the fixed-point treatment described earlier was also used with

the same data. The results of the latter method of analysis should indicate

the reproducibility of the IPTS-68(75) for this group of thermometers.

Figures VI. 17, VI. 18, VI. 19, VI. 20 and VI. 21 show the results of the

least-squares treatment of the calibration data. Between about 20 K and 90 K,

the derived coefficients of the IPTS-68(75) deviation functions for the PRTs

yield temperature scales that generally agree to within a f ew tenths of a mK

with the NBS-IPTS-68. Between 13.8 K and 20 K, the differences become closer

to about ± 0.7 mK . A small systematic deviation is seen in the data above

about 40 K. In some of the measurements, a deviation of as much as -1 mK is

shown at 90 K; this is considered to be principally the result of relatively

poor joining of the two deviation functions at 90.1 88 K and the relatively

large deviations between 54 K and 90 K in the IPTS-68 formulation of the NBSIPTS-68 scale (see Figures VI. 22 and VI. 23). In Figure VI. 12 an error of

realization of the NBP of water is shown to be attenuated by 1/10 at 90 K. An error in a equivalent to an error of 0.01 K at the NBP of water, because of

243
possible errors of measurements at the tin point or the use of an average B,

is considered unlikely.

Although there is some experimental scatter in the data, particularly

below about 20 K, definite systematic differences are shown by the results of

the fixed-point treatment of the data (see Figures VI. 22 and VI. 23). Between

20.28 K and 27.102 K, the deviations are in general negative, between 27.102 K

and 54.361 K, at first positive then negative, and between 54.361 K and

90.188 K, positive. Similar deviations in the reproducibility of the IPTS-68

1 7 47 have been reported by Bedford and Ma and by Tiggelman and Durieux. Except

for a few observations that seem to deviate considerably more, the

reproducibility of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale using the IPTS-68 fixed-point

treatment is well within ± 1 mK . The relatively large differences of the

fixed-point treatment (see Figure VI. 23) are reduced by the least-squares

treatment (see Figure VI.21).

The deviations are more evenly distributed in the results of the leastsquares treatment. Except for cases where accidental errors apparently

occurred at the fixed-point temperatures, the two methods of analyses yielded

deviations that are in general very similar in shape. Since the deviations of

values of temperatures are very similar for all PRTs, particularly above about

40 K, the reference standard PRTs employed at the NBS appear not to be

"average" PRTs. They seem to have characteristics somewhat different from the

PRTs that were calibrated.

A survey of measurements of fixed points employing thermometers

calibrated in terms of the NBS-IPTS-68 shows that the values of temperatures

reported are in close agreement with the values given in the text of the

IPTS-68(75). The values reported prior to about 1 969 are expected to have

influenced to some degree the final values for the IPTS-68. Nevertheless, the

survey shows that the NBS-IPTS-68 scale closely approximates the defining

fixed points of the IPTS-68(75).

The study of the effect of errors in the calibration data above 0 °C on the calibration of PRTs in the region 13 K to 90 K indicates that any given

error of temperature which causes an error only in the value of a is

attenuated by a factor of 10 or more in the calibration between 13 K and 90 K

244
when the least-squares treatment of the data is employed. In the leastsquares treatment of the data, any error in the region 13 K to 90 K is

distributed both upward and downward in temperature. Since the least-squares

treatment minimizes the deviations in W and since the derivative dT/dW is

larger at the lower temperatures, the temperature deviations appear larger at

the lower temperatures. To improve calibrations, data at the lower

temperatures have been increased in both quantity and accuracy.

VI. 4. Uncertainty Range of Typical Customer SPRTs

The estimated uncertainty of typical customer SPRTs was ascertained from

a Measurement Assurance Program (MAP) conducted by the NBS with 6 companies

that perform calibrations of thermometers. Three SPRTs, owned by the NBS,

were involved in the MAP. Prior to being sent to a participating laboratory,

the SPRTs were calibrated at the NBS in the usual manner, except using both

1 mA and 2 mA of measuring current. Standard shipping techniques were

employed for getting the SPRTs to the participating laboratory. Upon receipt

of the SPRTs, the laboratory first determined R(TPW) at 1 and 2 mA currents

and then calibrated the SPRTs according to its regular laboratory procedure.

After completion of the calibration, the laboratory determined R(TPW) at 1 and

2 mA currents just before shipping the SPRTs back to the NBS. Upon receipt of

the SPRTs at the NBS, their R(TPW)s were determined at 1 and 2 mA currents;

they were then annealed and recalibrated according to the usual procedure.

The SPRTs were then shipped to the next participating standards laboratory.

The SPRTs were shipped cushioned in soft plastic foam inside a wooden box.

When the SPRTs were at the various standards laboratories, they were subjected

to the annealing temperatures (450 °C to HQO °C) for 4 hours and to the

various temperatures (about -180, 0, 232, and 420 °C) of the fixed points that were employed in the calibration. While at the NBS, the SPRTs were annealed

at 480 °C for 4 hours and then recalibrated. Therefore, in the interval

between the calibrations at the NBS, the SPRTs were exposed to temperatures

over a wide range, including the higher temperatures where they were

"annealed." The successive calibrations that were made at the NBS were

examined to determine the reproducibility of the calibrations and also to

245
determine how well calibrations are retained as the SPRTs are subjected to

conditions of use. For convenience of comparison of successive calibrations at the NBS and,

at the same time, to show the degree to which the SPRTs can retain their

calibrations, the resistance ratios W at -I83, 232, and 420 °C obtained during

calibration are compared relative to the first calibration of the series. The

48 results for SPRTs A, B, C, and D are shown in Figure VI. 24. (The first

three calibrations of thermometers A, B, and C and the first two calibrations

of thermometer D were obtained before shipping them to the standards

laboratories that participated in the MAP study.) The calibration sequence

after the first calibration is indicated by the symbols 0, A, q, o» ^. ^» and

®. The flagged points indicate a second measurement using another freeze.

There is a tendency for the values of W(Zn) to increase with use, which was

not the observation with check SPRT 200 (see Figure VI.1). The calibration is

noticeably more scattered at the zinc point than at the tin point or at the

oxygen point. The deviations reflect the combined variations in the

observations of R(TPW) and R(Zn), R(Sn), or RiO^) , the variations in R(TPW)

being amplified in W(Zn) and W(Sn). The deviations should reflect also the

effect of handling of the SPRTs in the various laboratories and the effect of

handling during shipment. Table VI.1 summarizes the estimated standard

deviations of the values of W(Zn), W(Sn), and ^(0^) for thermometers A, B, C,

D and the check SPRTs. The pooled standard deviations of W(Zn) observed for

SPRTs A, B, C and D are shown to be about twice that observed for check SPRT

200; only the estimated standard deviation of W(Zn) for thermometer D appears

to be comparable to that of check SPRT 200.

Figures VI. 25, VI. 26, VI. 27 and VI. 28 show for each SPRT how the values

of W(t) (in corresponding values of temperature), based on the various

calibrations, deviate over the range -I83 °C to 630 °C relative to the first

calibration of the series. The figures indicate the level of uncertainty of

temperature measurement that can be achieved, under the various conditions to

which the SPRTs were subjected, relative to the IPTS-68(75) maintained by the

NBS. For example, the degree of repeatability of the measurements at the

fixed points indicates the degree of retention of calibration by the SPRT.

Since the standard deviations of the values of W(Sn) and W(0 ) are comparable

246
and those of W(Zn) are about twice those observed with the check SPRTs, the

calibrations of the SPRTs have been retained close to the limit of calibration

measurements at the NBS. The user of an SPRT that was calibrated at the NBS

can look upon Figures VI. 25, VI. 26, VI. 27, and VI. 28 to indicate the level of

retention of calibration (after annealing in a similar manner) and

repeatability of calibration of an SPRT. In the analysis of his temperature

measurements, the user should combine the uncertainties shown in the figures

with the uncertainties of his measurements to obtain his overall uncertainty

relative to the NBS.

The calibration data on 213 PRTs (mostly SPRTs) that were received over a two-year period show that the average of the standard deviations of R(TPW)s

that were observed for each of the thermometers corresponds to 0.15 mK . This

indicates the precision of the NBS calibration measurements and the high

reproducibility of the SPRTs at the TPW and the high stability of the SPRTs

even after being subjected to temperatures as high as 420 °C or as low as -183 °C. The high reproducibility of values of W of the check SPRTs (serial

numbers 199, 200, and 250) that are used for the zinc, tin, and oxygen points

(pooled standard deviations: 0.28, 0.30, and 0.16 mK, respectively) shows that

SPRTs can be employed in high-precision temperature measurements. [An error

in R(TPW) is amplified (or attenuated) in the value of W at these fixed points

by 2.6, 1.9, and 0.24 times, respectively.] The high reproducibility also

shows that the tin and zinc points and the reference standard SPRT for the

oxygen point are highly stable.

Although both thermometer resistances and resistance ratios were found to

change, resistance ratios were more stable. Data on the check SPRTs were

taken over a two-year period; measurements over a longer period or perhaps

49

other conditions are needed to determine the useful life of an SPRT. Values

of W(Zn) of the check SPRT used with the zinc point are decreasing slightly

with use. An annealing of the SPRT at a higher temperature (e.g. 480 °C) may

reduce this trend. The SPRTs that were used in the MAP study and in repeated

calibrations were annealed at 480 °C prior to each calibration; the values of

W(Zn) were either randomly scattered or were increasing slightly with use. The results with the SPRTs (A, B, C and D) used in the MAP study show

that when the thermometers are shipped in a suitable protective container, the

247
calibration is retained. (The SPRTs have been shipped and received from a number of laboratories, some located across the continent.) The results show

also that SPRTs can be employed reliably in precise temperature measurements.

When these SPRTs were heated at 450 °C or 480 °C for 4 hours and calibrated at

each of the laboratories (5) that participated in the MAP study and were

heated again at 480 °C for 4 hours at the NBS when the SPRTs were returned

from each of the laboratories, the calibrations did not change by more than

50

± 1 mK. The variations in the observed values of W reflect the uncertainty

in the calibrations superimposed upon whatever changes have occured in the

SPRTs. The largest scatter was at the zinc point, the pooled standard

deviation being 0.65 mK . The pooled standard deviations of the observed

values of W of the SPRTs at the tin and oxygen points were 0.39 mK and

0.22 mk, respectively. These standard deviations for the tin and oxygen point

measurements are comparable to those obtained with the check SPRTs which

suggest that the treatments to which the MAP SPRTs were subjected did not

significantly affect the thermometers anymore than if the SPRTs had remained

at and been used in the NBS laboratory. On the other hand, the standard

deviation obtained on the MAP SPRTs at the zinc point is about twice as large

as that obtained with the check SPRT. The variations in values of W that were obtained at the three fixed points in repeated calibrations of an SPRT (E)

were similar to those obtained with the MAP SPRTs.

The PRT calibration on the IPTS-68(75) is based on relatively few fixed

points. A small error (e.g., corresponding to 1 mK ) at any of the fixed

points can go undetected and cause large errors above the zinc point (see

Figures VI. 25, VI. 26, VI. 27 and VI. 28). A fixed point near the upper limit of

the PRT scale would be a sensitive means of detecting calibration errors at

the tin or the zinc point; or if the PRT is to be used primarily at the higher

temperatures, the freezing point of antimony (630.755 °C) or the freezing

point of aluminum (660,46 °C) could be included in the calibration.

Measurements at the freezing point of cadmium (321.108 °C) also could serve to

ckeck the IPTS-68(75) calibration. Below 0 °C, the triple point of xenon

(-112 °C) could perhaps be developed for checking the calibration. A

comparison calibration of test PRTs in terms of two or three reference

standard PRTs which are periodically "checked" on the IPTS-68(75), can yield

248
many calibration points that can be analyzed by a least-squares method so that

the contribution from an error in any one observation would be negligible.

Accidental agreement of two user-laboratory calibrations can result if

the same error is made in both calibration, e.g., the fixed point may be

0.01 K colder than the assigned value. However, comparison with the NBS

calibration should reveal this error, i.e., the measured value of W and the

value of W given in the NBS calibration will be different for the

"temperatures". When the second reference SPRT is sent to the NBS for

calibration, similar comparison calibrations should follow. Hence, by such

procedures, a "do-it-yourself" internal MAP can be established. Obviously,

more calibrated reference SPRTs can be used to improve the comparison

statistics of the reference SPRTs. In the calibration of test SPRTs, check

SPRTs must be employed to monitor the calibration process each time. The

results on the check SPRTs also can support the stability of calibration of

the reference SPRT, particularly if the two SPRTs are of the same quality.

(Hence, as previously stated, measurement results on check SPRTs serve to

monitor the complete calibration process.)

The SPRT-MAP service provided by the NBS requires calibration of three

NBS-owned SPRTs. The participating laboratory is requested to calibrate the

SPRTs by procedures that are normally employed in the laboratory for the

calibration of SPRTs or in measurements using SPRTs. (Some laboratories use

SPRTs principally to calibrate thermometers other than SPRTs and only rarely

calibrate SPRTs.) Work sheets that accompany the SPRTs request information on temperature standards that are employed (i.e., fixed points and reference

SPRTs with their calibration constants), geometry and other data on the fixedpoint devices and baths that are important in temperature measurements (e.g.,

immersion depth, use of aluminum or graphite bushing, temperature equalization

blocks in baths, etc.), the pertinent measurement data, and the final

calibration tables that are normally furnished to customers. Immediately upon

receipt of the SPRTs, and just prior to shipment of the SPRTs back to the NBS,

the laboratory must determine the R(0 °C) of the SPRTs at two currents (1 and

2 mA) . These measurements in conjunction with the calibration data will show

(1) whether the SPRTs were harmed during shipment, (2) whether the SPRTs were

carefully handled by the laboratory, (3) whether the measurement procedure of

249
the laboratory is standard, and (4) whether the resistance unit is close to

our national unit of resistance. When calibration is completed, the SPRTs are returned to the NBS for recalibration and shipment to the next participating

laboratory. The SPRT-MAP comparison is usually reported back to the

participating laboratory within three to six weeks after receipt of the

calibration results, depending upon the calibration situation at the NBS and on other factors.

The range of uncertainties desired by the laboratories participating in

the SPRT-MAP have been about ± 0.01 K to ± 0.001 K; a few laboratories felt

that uncertainties within ± 0.1 K were satisfactory in some of their

applications. -

' As part of the SPRT-MAP, calibration tables of W(t) at integral values of

temperatures were received from the participating laboratories. The values at

-183, 100, 232, and 420 °C were compared with those obtained at the NBS. The

values at these temperatures are sufficiently close to the fixed points

(oxygen, steam, tin and zinc points, respectively) to consider them equivalent

to those obtained at the assigned temperatures of the fixed points. Figure

VI. 29 shows the standard deviations of each of the various laboratories

compared to the NBS calibrations for the three SPRTs at the above

temperatures. Most of the standard deviations are shown to be within 5 mK,

but there are some deviations that are substantially larger. Very few

laboratories made measurements at the steam point, measurements with the tinpoint cell being easier; however, the calibration values at the steam point

are compared for all of the laboratories.

Many of the laboratories have been shown to be performing excellent

measurements; the SPRT-MAP results have added confidence to their work. Where

problems occurred, such as adjustments for differences in barometric pressure

on the freezing point or for radiation losses, they were readily detected and

corrected. The SPRT-MAP work sheets helped to document better the measurement

process. Where the SPRT-MAP showed that the measurements are not up to

expectation, it has helped to indicate possible improvements in the

measurement process.

250
Table VI. 1. Estimated standard deviations (S.D.)(lo) of values of W (and

their equivalents in temperature, t) of some platinum resistance

thermometers at the temperature fixed points.

SPRT

W(Zn) W(Sn) WCO^)

S.D. of W S.D. of t S.D. of W S.D. of t S.D. of W S.D. of t

(x 10~^) (mK) (x 10'^) (mK) (x lo"^) (mK)

A(6)^ 230 0.66 1 65 0.46 U2 0.33

B(8) 150 .43 76 .21 55 .1 3 C(8) 308 .88 184 .51 55 .13

D(5) 109 .31 73 .20 60 .14

Pooled

S.D. 222 .64 138 .38 83 .19

E(7) 261 .75 92 .25 98 .23

Q Pooled

S.D. 231 .66 129 .36 86 .20

Check

SPRT 99 .28 110 .30 71 .16

Numbers in parentheses indicate the number of calibrations

^Pooled standard deviation, S^, is defined by the relation

^(n^-Dsf . (n^-DS^ . ... . (n^ - 1)S^.-,

^ ^ "2

^ + n, - k

k

^Pooled standard deviation, S.D., of SPRTs A, B, C, D, and E. W(Zn) was observed with check SPRT 200, W(Sn) with check SPRT 199, and

W(0 ) with check SPRT 250.

251
Table VI. 2. Differences between thermodynamic temperature and T--0.

DO

Uncertainty

t(°C) T/K-T^g/K^g

Random Systematic

(99? confidence limits)

1 00

231 .9681

41 9.58

-0.0252

-0.0439

-0.0658

±0.001

8

±0.0022

±0.0028

±0.00054

±0.001

5

±0.0028

252

Figure VI. 1. Values of W for check SPRT 200 from observations of the

resistances at the zinc freezing point and at the TPW. The sequence of

zinc-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A,

and O.

254
RESISTANCE RATIO, R(Zn/R(0°C)

>

3DmCO

CO

—i

3>Zn

3DO

o

>I—

CD

3D>

CD>

OiCOo

CJl

CT3 CO

tn

CJl cn

cna>

oo

tn

CDo

cn

o>

00

cn

cn

cn T

o > I

o t> > o

t>

>

CDo

o

o

CO

. > o

d>

>o

>o

o > o > oo>o

oc>o >

o oei

to

o >

CS3 > O

O >

>

O >

O >> O

o>

o >

-a

3D O

> O

O >

255
Figure VI. 2. Values of W of SPRTs (relative to the first calibration)

obtained at the National Bureau of Standards from a series of

calibrations at the TPW and at the zinc, tin, and oxygen points.

V

' Thermometers A, B, C, and D were employed in the Measurement Assurance

, - Program and thermometer E was calibrated in successive batches.

256
RESISTANCE RATIO DIFFERENCE, RATIO UNITS (10 o

o

> o On

OO <

>

3>—

t

— 00

00 o

X o oscO <

XBtO O

3 3 3 -< <:

?«: ;^ ^ J>omCO

z

o

ZDo

X © CO O <3

— o

>

^ o

3D

I>O

Z00

Z3 CO X

T

O m —

- J>COsm

" CO ^ m

X

o •

^ CO OO a CO ::J Q CO rvi 00

j-^ z z

-o -a "a

>4> <o

z P —

)

CO

< Co y >

DO ^<o

257
Figure VI. 3. Observed values of resistances at the TPW (converted to R(0 'C))

and at the zinc, tin, and oxygen points and the values of W calculated

from the observations for thermometer E calibrated successively in

batches 74D to 74J. The sequence of observations at the TPW is

represented by the symbols in the order 0, A, , and O. The open symbols

A, , and O represent the observations of resistance at the zinc, tin,

and oxygen points, respectively; the corresponding filled-in symbols

represent the values of W at these points.

258
> CO

1— J> c 00

-D—

t

o

INU

ISI 3 -n 00 3Dm

CO>Z

om

—t o

X

INI => m3DSo CO 3m

3 —

1

m3D>

CD O 3D

ATI INI 3 o X z CO3

00>—

1

o

O

INI 3

CO3

o

b CD r-> C 00

R(0, ). 6.2227

R(Sn), 48.3400

R(Zn). 65.6064

R(0°C), 25.5390

I I I I

I

PRT RESISTANCE, Ohms

X CO

I I

I

I I

at TM

3 3

{

o>> _^ <i 3 CO 3

1_L

15 3

O

I I I

qCk a

1

> -

J L

I ^

I I I I I I I R|Zn)/R(0°C). 2.56885

RISnl/RIO'C). 1.89277

R(0^)/R(0°C), 0.24365

PRT RESISTANCE RATIO

259
Figure VI. 4. Deviations, relative to the first calibration, of values of W(t)

(in terms of corresponding values of temperature) of succeeding

calibrations of thermometer E.

260
261
Figure VI. 5. Values of W for check SPRT 199 from observations of the

resistance at the tin freezing point and at the TPW. The sequence of

tin-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A,

and .

262
RESISTANCE RATIO, R(Sn)/R(0°C)

oo

CDCD

CO

COa>

C3

CO

CO

ro

Ni

tn

33m(/» 00—

t

>

>

3D

CD>

1

1 1 1 1

I

1 > 1 O

1

1

1

1 _

O D> — O > —

c_ > O o

"T^ * ^ -

t

— — O —

to ^ o > —

CD > o O > o O

m

o> > o

-

-n > o

cr> — > o

in --*—> «\

c_ > ^ T

>o - > o

1

uo

- > o Z

o

CD —

-

o >

o >

> o

o >

CHECK

PRT

199

TIN

POINT

-

n o > o

m

> o

l>o

-n - o >

-

C7 > d

- > o

c_

1

o to

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

"

263
Figure VI. 6. Deviations (in terms of the corresponding values of temperature)

from the average value of R(0 °C) for each PRT, calculated from the

observed values of R(TPW) for PRTs calibrated between June 1972 and July

1973.

264
0.5

0.5

0.5

1 1 1 1 1 1 b 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 i 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I o —

o o

o

O a

O O

o — o

o A ° <^ ^ 8 o 0 A

°

s

o A

o

a o —o_

go

0 °

° A „ *

o

o —

o o —o—

«

ff>— A Ck—o

o o o ^ o _ A — A A

0

n A A o A

A A A

°

oA

o

o A

A _ A A

A

1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 11

1 1 1 1 1 1 A ~

1 1

1 \ r

<§>

I

I I

o

o a

° 8

» 8

o

_ A a o A

nfi l I I I I I

0.5

A A

6 oA

A A

a A

J \ L J I \ I I L J I \ L oQC

u-COz

o

I—<

>LLJ o

"1

\ r 1 I 1 \ \ r

O A

1 I \ \ r

o

„ ^—o—5

1°) o ^ A A

A

O o

. o —_

0.5

0.5

I I I I I

I I I I

0.5

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 o

1 1 "

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 o

o

o

'> a

<§> o

o o ~

o

0 _ D

o ^

s e S a

^ s 8

ft o A O A 0 A A

O o A O o o 8 ^

o A Ao o

° A : ^ ^ o

o

o A A o A o o —

o A

1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 ? 1 f 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ? 1 1 1

PLATINUM RESISTANCE THERMOMETERS CALIBRATED

265
Figure VI. 7. Deviations (in terms of the corresponding values of temperature)

from the average value of R(0 °C) for each PRT, calculated from the

observed values of R(TPW) for PRTs calibrated between August 1973 and

July 1974. :

266
DEVIATIONS FROM THE MEAN. mK

T~r~

Oa

I o o

o CJ1 cn

I I I I

>

t>

Co

> o

a

> >o

o

>

o >

> o|

CO

CO

oe> >o

> o

o >

o o -

a

o O a

O

a O

a O

o

o O

o ><> ocj a o >

o

I K>

O

oco O

J_J L_L_

r~r-i—I

I I a>|> n

- O

>

> a

- O

>

ol> a>

o t> n

>

> o > O

o O

03 O

rCj n ^ ooO

wbO

o

> ao

to

<P

CO <>

OO

O C> D

SO O

O ^ CX>

t> o a

> o o t>

a O

a

> o a

> o <>

ooi

o >

a O

a> _J \ L

o p in cn

1 I r~

I a O

DO > a

a O

o

O aoa > oO

o t> O o

CO

ID > o

a >

O

o >

— n

— > o

cop o > CQ

> oa

<8> > <^ O o

6> O

O o >

o > O D O

o

ooO

> O)

I td> o o

o >

J L

t> o

267
Figure VI. 8. Observed values of resistance for check SPRT 250 at the oxygen

point and at the TPW [converted to R(0 °C)] and values of W calculated

from the observations.

268
RESISTANCE RATIO, R(0,)/R(0°C)

RESISTANCE, R(0°C) Ohms

3DSO

f—

CD

3DO

"I I

I I I I I I r

1—I I I I I

h +

- +

- 4-

- +

- M-

- +

- +

I I LJ L_L

1 =

"1—rI 1 I T—

r

o +

o +

o +

o

3D

o

o +

— 30 3 o

J L

o

I I I I I I I I I L

I I 1 I

o o z X m -< O CI ^ m

^ o

O C3 O

I I I L I I

RESISTANCE. R(0 1 Ohms

269
Figure VI. 9. Deviation of International Practical Temperatures from

thermodynamic temperatures in the range from 275 K to 730 K. The

estimated uncertainties at the defining fixed points published in the

original text of the IPTS-68 are shown by the error bars. Key: high

' pressure range, medium pressure range, + low pressure range.

270
05

CO

271
gure VI. 10. Comparison of the NBS-IPTS-58 (tabular) temperature scale with

the NBS-IPTS-68 temperature scale. NBS-IPTS-68 (tabular) is a tabular

scale based on combining the NBS-1955 scale and the published differences

between the NBS-1955 scale and the IPTS-68 scale and numerically

smoothing the adjusted scale. The NBS-IPTS-68 is based on the "best"

deviation functions AW(T) derived from NBS-IPTS-68 (tabular).

272
t[nBS- IPTS- 68 (TABULAR)] -T [nBS - IPTS - 68] , mK

1 o -

o

o

XIcm

cnO

00O

o

Z 2

OD OD

CO t/)

T) Tl CO CO

CD 00 >

CD

CI

r->

XI

o

o

o

I I I I

oo

o

o

o

o

o

oo

>

o

OD

CO

O

o

>

COo

-u o

CD DO 00 C/5 >

d CO

I V> CD X 00

273
Figure VI.11. Errors at various temperatures propagated from errors made

calibration of a PRT when the Al freezing point is included. The

designations are the same as in Fig. II. 1.

274
ERROR IN DEGREES PER DEGREE ERROR IN CALIBRATION

o

275
Figure VI. 12. Effect of errors in the realization of the fixed points above

0 °C on the calibration of a platinum resistance thermometer in the

region 13 K to 90 K. The errors introduced in the calibration when the

least-squares treatment is employed are compared with those of the fixedpoint treatment of the same data. The effects of errors equivalent to

unit positive temperature in the realization of the TP and of the NBP of

water are each plotted. The resulting errors are also shown when an error in R(0 °C) equilvalent to a unit positive temperature is made but

no error in a is made.

276
ERROR IN KELVINS PER K ERROR IN CALIBRATION

I o

I I

I II I I I

o 11 r

m

OJ O

C

33

cn00

OJO

333)O

33>

o

00o

m

>

COH

COO

c

>

m

I

O

m

>H

(/) O

c

>

^'^ ^ 33

33O

33

11 TT

o

>

CD>

OJOJ

OJ (\) pJ OJ

X

m

o

-Qo

CO

Xm

o

O

m

33

33 \ o m 33

t>CO J> -t H

CO [NJ o -si OJ >

33m

X \ —

o

o

277
Figure VI. 13. Effect of three times more data in the region 1 3 K to 20 K and

the effect of three times more data in the region 5^ K to 90 K on the

results of least squares treatment of the calibration data with an error equivalent to unit positive temperature at the NBP of water. The plot

gives the deviations of the values of temperatures of the calibration

with error from those of the calibration without error.

278
279
Figure VI. 1^. Effect of an error in the realization of a fixed point on the

calibration of a platinum resistance thermometer in the region 1 3 K to

90 K. The figure shows the resulting error with the least-squares

treatment and the resulting error with the fixed-point treatment of the same data with an error equivalent to unit positive temperature at

90.188, at 54.361, and at 27.102 K.

280
281
gure VI. 15. Effect of an error in the realization of a fixed point on the

calibration of a platinum resistance thermometer in the region 1 3 K to

90 K. The figure shows the resulting error with the least-squares

treatment and the resulting error with the fixed-point treatment of the same data with an error equivalent to unit positive temperature at

20.28 K, at 17.042 K, and at 13.81 K.

282
283
gure VI. 16. Effect of an error in the calibration data at temperatures

midway between the fixed points on the calibration of a platinum

resistance thermometer in the region 13 K to 90 K. The figure shows the

resulting error with the least-squares treatment of the data with an error equivalent to unit positive temperature at 15.4 K, at 18.6 K, at

23.7 K, at 40.7 K, and at 78.2 K.

\

284
285
gure VI. 17. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the least-squares

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

286
mm

>

—

I

c

33

CDOO

DEVIATIONS , mK

O

B o

CO

>

>^ o > O

X >® O

C30C Dt>

« o

>

o

o

o

o

o

00o

o O >x€l O

t> o

OJ OJ OJ TJ

(NO no — 3)

OJ 'Xi -b -H

OJ C>J W "0

OJ w <>' £> W N) H

287
Figure VI. 18. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the least-squares

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercoraparison with the reference standard.

i

288
DEVIATIONS, mK o

o > ® ><S o s cBJ>

<>si>K)

9

[>onx<ji

> o

OJ Oi OJ u -t^ -Ci -Ci :d

"i^ oj — H

<9 O X W W OJ 1)

Oi cn ui X ji 1>J — H

289
gure VI. 19. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the least-squares

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

290
DEVIATIONS, mK

r\5 o

>o

C> DO X

xO

o

o

>

> X O

t> OCX

[> 9

K3K

X > O

OJ OJ OJ W "D

.->J <J1 CD X

x» ro oj H

o

o

05O

too

OIB

x:>o

X mo

291
Figure VI. 20. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the least-squares

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

i

292
DEVIATIONS, mK

OCQDt> O

O <S>C OCl>

DQSiX

O

0

0 C-x > O

(jj oj <->J oj OJ "D

to ID ^ p 9^ zo

c>j ro '-b L>j ro —

t

293
Figure VI.21 . Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the least-squares

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

294
I IN3

DEVIATIONS, mKo

<M no 6 6 t?6 9

cm )0

9 6 ^ ^ c^D at)

^ ^>q] o<;>

06^

Q

o

o o > 6

4^ 4:. ;^ ^ T) — r P O 13 OJ Kj — 'oj H

9 i ^> 6

^ 4i ^ ^ -TJ w rv) ro ro —

ji w K) — '-ti H

[Ox c!^ D 69>

cm

295
Figure VI. 22. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the fixed-point

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

296
DEVIATIONS, mK

I

I I I TT

et>o aB>

Ex

I r I I I I I

OD Ex > O ©-•

<X

©o

o > o w OJ Ol Ul :d w ^ OJ H

l> ® X

OJ OJ OJ -DH

I I I I I I I

&»©0 X >o

5> O® X d >

I I I I I I I

CSX

»< O <^ o >

O

X O ®[36>

<J>^ o

o <2> a

OJ OJ (jj (jj OJ rv) k) tc. OJ

X > >

OJ OJ OJ OJ

OJ OJ

OJ OJ

I I I I I I

o e>

o®^ > O

+ +

297
Figure VI. 23. Measured deviations of the values of temperatures, given by the

IPTS-68 formulations obtained for each thermometer by the fixed-point

treatment of the calibration data, from those of the NBS-IPTS-68 scale at

temperatures of intercomparison with the reference standard.

298
DEVIATIONS , mK

I

I

I I I

I I I I

X

e » <3> DS

I

I I I I I I—TT

o>

<3> Ox

X

a (3»»

(SB

O

X > O

^ ^ -t> T) .— — - 3

^ OJ ro 1

<S> B > ©

CDO

4i ^ -C. (>o [NJ ro f\i 04 K) —

o

1 I I I

+ +

+

»© o

I I I I 1I

1 r

> OD X3

O

18) ><t O

X >

t>J W W OJ "O

<J3 03 po CD :d

no 'Ji. CO po H

0 > 0 O

-C> -Ci OJ W TJ p p .1^ .<x) :c j^ 1>J 'ji CO H

+

0^o>

_LJ L_L I ! I

299
Figure VI. 24. Values of W of SPRTs (relative to the first calibration of the

series) obtained at the National Bureau of Standards from a series of

calibrations at the TPW and at the zinc, tin, and oxygen points.

Thermometers A, B, C, and D were employed in a Measurement Assurance

Program and thermometer E was calibrated in successive batches.

300
RESISTANCE RATIO DIFFERENCE, RATIO UNITS (10" )

I o CD o

o

1 I

\ \ \ r

> o On

oO <

>

ISI

-o—

t

— (/»

3Dm

CO—

t

J>zo

! - X ©

oJ»

CI o

CD ' 3D

J>O

ZOO

31 CO X

X o cEaC> <

3 3 3 -< <:>

m00

» a <

«ota

COSm

< D

O •

3D ^ CO o

oj

4*. -* -J <=

Q3 O)

C/> INI CO

o> Si — -» '*—(

<x

< Co X >

0(51

to -^o

J \ \ L I I I

I \ \ \ L

301
Figure VI. 25. Deviations, relative to the first calibration of the series,

values of W(t) (in terras of corresponding values of temperature) of

succeeding calibrations of thermometer A.

302
303
Figure VI. 26. Deviations, relative to the first calibration of the series,

values of W(t) (in terms of corresponding values of temperature) of

succeeding calibrations of thermometer B.

304
305
Figure VI. 27. Deviations, relative to the first calibration of the series, of

values of W(t) (in terms of corresponding values of temperature) of

succeeding calibrations of thermometer C.

306
307
Figure VI. 28. Deviations, relative to the first calibration of the series, of

values of W(t) (in terms of corresponding values of temperature) of

succeeding calibrations of thermometer D.

308
309
Figure VI. 29. Standard deviations of calibrations of various laboratories

compared to the National Bureau of Standards' calibration of three SPRTs

' near the fixed points.

310
lA

o

STANDARD DEVIATIONS FROM NBS CALIBRATION, ± mK

CD

tn —

»

CJI

CJl

CD

CD

CD

CD

CD

oo

CO

>I

00

DO

>

DO

>

DOm

CO

o

CO

I 00

1 1 1 1 1 1 II <

(g)

r

1 1 1 1! 1 1! >

o o

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1

1 1 1 1 1 1

1

1

0

1

CO

"O

DO

—1

1

s

> >« o O

€)

a

MAP

CO

N3

(5

^

o

o

(8) 0

>

<

0

X

0 O 0

o

a

1

1 o

1 1 1 Mill P 1 1 1 II II 1

1

311
VII. INTERNAL QUALITY CONTROLS

In order to maintain proper quality control of the calibration process

and, consequently, of the calibrations themselves, certain check standards are maintained for testing the various temperature fixed points and also the

thermometers used for the comparison calibrations. At the fixed points, the

check standards are used also as a measure of the quality of the freeze during

the calibration of test thermometers.

VII. 1. SPRT Check Standards

Separate check standards are maintained at the NBS for use at the

different temperature fixed points. Also, more than one check standard is

available, and used, at each fixed point.

As part of the calibration process at the NBS, separate check SPRTs are employed to monitor the constancy of the temperature of each of the fixed

points. In the cases of the freezing-point cells of tin and zinc, although

the metals employed in the cells are of high purity, the equilibrium

temperature of the liquid-solid phases is somewhat dependent upon the relative

amounts of the two phases. Usually the test SPRTs are calibrated during the

period in which the first 50 percent of the metal is being frozen. Of a group

of SPRTs to be calibrated, the first and the last measurements in each freeze

are obtained with the check SPRT. If the second reading on the check SPRT is

lower than the first by what corresponds to 0.5 mK , some of the SPRTs being

calibrated, based on the time at which the measurements were made, are

recalibrated employing a new freeze. The first and the last measurements on the new freeze are again made with the check SPRT. A comparison of the

results of the repeat calibration with those of the previous freeze will show

whether SPRTs calibrated earlier in the sequence with the previous freeze

should also be recalibrated.

Measurements with the check SPRT of every new freeze are compared with

those of the previous freezes. The check SPRTs employed with the zinc-and

tin-point cells are usually at their respective fixed-point temperatures for

about 1.5 and 2 hours, respectively, during each freeze. The check SPRT for

the tin-point cell is near the tin-point temperature longer because of the

312
preparation and manipulation that are followed for initiating the freeze by

withdrawing the cell from the furnace well.

For the oxygen-point comparison calibration, a second reference standard

SPRT is used as the check SPRT to monitor the consistency of the "working"

reference standard SPRT. The value of WCO^) obtained for the check SPRT is

compared with those of previous calibrations.

With each of the readings of the check SPRTs at the fixed points, there

are also obtained readings at the TPW. Thus, there is collected a history of

measurements with check SPRTs and fixed points.

VII. 1. a. Check standards at the zinc point

Figure VII. 1 shows the observed R(Zn) and R(0 °C) for the check SPRT

(designated 200) used with the zinc-point cell. The symbols 0 and A indicate

in most cases the R(Zn) readings at the beginning and end, respectively, of a group of SPRTs that were calibrated. Occasionally, additional R(Zn) readings

have been obtained, the sequence being 0, A, , and O. When the first

reading 0 is suspect and a second reading A is obtained, the symbols A and

indicate the beginning and end readings, respectively, of a group of SPRTs

that were calibrated. The fourth reading, indicated by the symbol O , is a check, if considered necessary, on the previous reading indicated by . In

calibration batches 72J and 73D, the difference in the beginning and end

readings of the check SPRT are shown to be excessive. Some of the test SPRTs

were recalibrated in the next batch. The symbol + indicates the R(0 °C)

readings obtained after the R(Zn) readings. There is shown a definite

increase in the values of R(Zn) and R(0 °C) associated with each freeze.

(Because of possible strains that are introduced, the resistance of PRTs

usually increases with use.) The sharp decrease shown at 7^C resulted

principally from a change in the bridge resistance unit which was previously

based on one standard resistor. The new resistance unit is based on the

average of four standard resistors. However, since the bridge is "linear",

the values of R(Zn)/R(0 °C) or W(Zn) for the check PRT should be independent

of the resistance unit (see Fig. VII. 2). The downward trend in W(Zn) reflects

the change in the SPRT with use. However, the total change over the two-year

period shown corresponds to not more than 1 mK . In the interval from

313
calibration batch 74C to 74 J (approximately one-half year), W(Zn) was found to

be fairly constant and its range corresponds to about O.'^ mK . The standard

deviation of the values of W(Zn) was computed after dividing the data into

three intervals: 72G to 72K, 72L to 73J, and 73K to 7>^J. (Between the

intervals, the values of W(Zn) seem to show a large change possibly from

slight bumping of the check SPRT.) The pooled standard deviation was found to

correspond to 0.28 mK. (See Table VI.l).

VII. I.b. Check standards at the tin point

Figure VII. 3 shows the observed R(Sn) and R(0 °C) for the check SPRT

(designated 199) used with the tin-point cell. The symbols have the same

significance as those used with the readings obtained with the check SPRT for

the zinc-point cell. In two cases, 73H and 731i a set of symbols is

"flagged". These indicate readings with a second freeze that was used in the

calibration of the group of test SPRTs. Up to calibration batch 74C, the

trend of R(Sn) and R(0 °C) readings is shown to increase, but not as rapidly

as in the case with check SPRT 200 for the zinc-point cell. As shown in the

measurements with the zinc-point check SPRT (see Fig. VII. 1.), a sudden change

in R(Sn) and R(0 °C) occurs at calibration batch 74C because of the change in

the bridge resistance unit. The reason for the relatively constant readings

obtained, starting from calibration batch 74C, is at present not known.

39 Perhaps the oxygen activated change in R(0 °C) reported by Berry finally

reached an equilibrium state. (Berry did not report how the thermometer

resistances changed at the higher temperatures at which the thermometers were

40

"soaked".) In a more recent work, Berry found that the irreproducibility of

W(100 °C) of five SPRTs corresponded to ± 0.1 mK as long as the R(100 °C) and

R(0 °C) were observed with the platinum of the SPRT in the same oxidation

state. The values of W(t) that are obtained in the NBS calibration procedure

correspond essentially to this requirement. Figure VII. 4 shows the plot of

R(Sn)/R(0°C) or W(Sn) for check SPRT 199. The values of W(Sn) are

significantly more constant than those of W(Zn) which indicates that the SPRT

is not changed as rapidly when used at the tin point instead of the zinc

point. (Check SPRTs 199 and 200 are essentially alike in construction and

were obtained at the same time. Another SPRT may show better or worse

314
stability.) From calibration batch 72K to 74 J, most of the observed values of

W(Sn) are within ± 0.3 mK. The noticeable change in the W(Sn) reading after

calibration batch 72K suggests that the check SPRT was "bumped" slightly.

(There was a relatively large increase in R(0 °C) in calibration batch 72L.)

The change in the check SPRT indication has no effect on the SPRTs that were

being calibrated. The standard deviation of the values of W(Sn) was computed

after dividing the data into two intervals: 72G to 72K and 72L to 74J. The

pooled standard deviation was found to correspond to O.30 mK , which is

essentially the same as that (0.28 mK) found for the values of W(Zn) obtained

with check SPRT 200. (See Table VI. 1.)

VII. I.e. Check standards at the oxygen normal boiling point

Figure VII. 5 shows the observed R{0^) and R(0 °C) for the check SPRT

(designated 250) used in the intercomparison calibrations at the oxygen point.

The symbol indicates the check measurements at the oxygen point and the

symbol + indicates the R(0 °C) readings. The "flagged" points for calibration

batch 730 indicate that second readings were obtained in the oxygen-point

calibration with the group of test SPRTs that were calibrated. (The SPRTs of

the batch were calibrated on two days; therefore, two check SPRT readings were obtained.) Values of R{0^)/R{0 °C) or 'viiO^) are also plotted in Figure VII. 5.

Although there is a small downward trend, the values of ^{0^) are more stable

than the values of W(Zn) and W(Sn) of the check SPRTs used with zinc- and tinpoint cells, respectively. Excluding some outlying observations which are shown to deviate relatively more (see calibration batches 73K, 74F, and 74H) , the range of W(02) corresponds to not more than 0.7 mK . The standard

deviation of the values of \iiO^) corresponds to O.I6 mK , which is

significantly smaller than that found for W(Zn) and W(Sn) obtained with their

respective check SPRTs. (See Table VI.1).

VII. I.d. Check standards for the 13 K to 90 K temperature region

The defining fixed points below 0 °C are "maintained" at present by

reference standard PRTs of the capsule type.

A second reference standard PRT (for which the coefficients of the

IPTS-68(75) deviation functions have been derived) is intercompared with the

315
first standard in every group of test thermometers calibrated. Comparisons

are made at temperatures near the fixed points and occasionally at other

temperatures. Figure VII. 6 shows the differences between the computed values

of temperature of the two reference standard PRTs at the temperatures of

intercompar i son . The deviations, except for a few possible errors of

recording of observations, indicate excellent precision in the calibration

measurements.

VII. 2. Control Charts for SPRTs

For each thermometer calibrated, the coefficients A and B, and a and 6 are determined from the calibration data obtained above 0 °C. If the values

of these coefficients don't fall within the bounds indicated below, the

thermometer is calibrated again. There are outliers, however, so the original

calibration may be correct. Until re-calibrated, it would be suspect,

however

.

VII. 2. a. B versus A

A plot of B versus A is given in Fig. VII. 7 for SPRTs calibrated at the

NBS over several years. If the A and B values of an SPRT lie outside the area

-

3 defined by two straight lines between the points (3.9835 X 10 , -5.8740 ± 0.0012 X lo"''') and (3.9865 X 1o'^, -5. 8780 ±0.0012 X lo"'''), the SPRT

is recalibrated.

VII. 2. b. 6 versus a

A plot of 6 versus a is given in Fig. VII. 8 for the same SPRTs indicated

in VII. 2. a. If the a and 6 values of an SPRT lie outside the area defined by

two straight lines between the points (3.9250 x 10~^, 1.49663 ± 0.00023) and

(3.9275 X 10~^, 1.49659 ± 0.00023), the SPRT is recalibrated.

316

gure VII. 1. Observed values of resistance for check SPRT 200 at the zinc

freezing point and at the TPW (converted to R(0 °C)). The sequence of

zinc-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A , and O; the R(0°C) values are represented by the symbol +.

318
RESISTANCE, R(Zn) Ohms

03 at

CO—

t

>

z

o

Z CO

3D

J> O

1 1 1 — o>

1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1

I 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I

1

'

' 1 1

o > +

_

> o +

t> + o

CI> + o

£X5 +

<X> +

ISO +

3D * rsi —. =j

ZINC

POINT

CHECK

PRT

200

> -h-r -c^ O

- o

+ a>

-Ki> + cx>

4-o o+ »

<J LX> -y- oo +

>o +

a> +

a> +

> o + C3 o > + 3

* o g

1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 , 1 1

CO

CO

oo

C7I

00

RESISTANCE, (CC) Ohms

319
Figure VII. 2. Values of W for check SPRT 200 from observations of the

resistances at the zinc freezing point and at the TPW. The sequence of

zinc-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A,

a, and O.

320
RESISTANCE RATIO, R(Zn/R(0°C)

IS3 CJ1 a>

CO

cn

CD

NJ

cn

OJ

CD

cn

cn

cn 1 r

cnCDoo

tn

CDo

o t>

'

o t> > o

cn

a>

00

cn

cn

cn

>

o

o

CD

o Oca

cca?

> o

ct> oo

oo

o o

O oooo

oo

o O

o O

[S3

O O

o O

o

O O

O O

o o oo

o O

C-5

-a

33O

o

o o O O

321
Figure VII. 3. Observed values of resistance for check SPRT 199 at the tin

freezing point and at the TPW (converted to R(0 °C)). The sequence of

tin-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A,

and ; the R(0 °C) values are represented by the symbol +.

322
RESISTANCE. R(Sn) Ohms

1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11 11

11 11 11 1I 11 I• 11 1 + > d

'

1 I - - - » + «> -

c- 3

=. -\- > o g ^

-

-j- > o :2 o - o >f ^ ' CO - —

CD > o-|- - O > o-f- - a + o - m > of- -

-n -

CD -

- - -

-

- -

r

—

- > -oj- — z

- o - o of- — — ><^ —

- 00+ — o - — a - -|t>o - m - + «> -

-n -f o >

-|- ee

- >

-

SB * °

-|-OHI — o

3

1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 .J_J 1

S 2 00 «

:3 CO CO o

RESISTANCE, R(0°C) Ohms

323
gure MIl.U. Values of W for check SPRT 199 from observations of the

resistance at the tin freezing point and at the TPW. The sequence of

tin-point observations is represented by the symbols in the order 0, A,

and o.

324
RESISTANCE RATIO. R(Sn)/R(0°C)

CO

CO

ro

CD

oo

CO

r-o

<y> i-o C3

00

ro

CA

—I

3>ZO

CD

30

3>

CD

_ 1

1 1 1 1

I

1 > ' o

1 1 1

i

o >

o t> > o -

* > o

1

O 1- >

o >

CO > o _ n > o o

m

o>

> o

-n > o > o

>

-

c_ >o

> o

- > o - Z

o

3

o >

o >

> o

o >

CHECK

PRT

199

TIN

POINT

o > a

m — > o

t>o

—

-n o >

CD DO

zr. > o

- > o

c_

"

1

1

o tsa

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

325
ure VII. 5. Observed values of resistance for check SPRT 250 at the oxygen

point and at the TPW (converted to R(0 °C)), and values of W calculated

from the observations. The oxygen-point observations are represented by

the symbol O and the R(0 °C) values are represented by the symbol +. The corresponding values of W(0 ) are represented by the symbol

326
RESISTANCE RATIO, R(0,)/R(0°C)

RESISTANCE. RICC) Ohms

CO

—I>

I

COo

00

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1

'

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1 1

1 -|o

1 1 1 1

1

1 1 1 1

1.

_. o

<_ o0 CJ

T 1

1

OXYGEN 1

CHECK

PI o

s- -

_ o

o 4- -

- o

1 -1- -

n: - %^ o +

-

—

c— o +

o 4-

0+

^ 1 —

CD

1

o +

o ^ o

It M II

- 4-

o

o

3D 3D 3 — O C3 O

o — —

JO

-n - + o

CD _ o

- + o

3: o

- + O 3 o

- +

1 1 1 1 1 11 1 1 , 1 1 1 1

o

1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

1 1 1

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

en Oi o»

isj rsj o at

RESISTANCE. RIO^) Ohms

327
Figure VII. 6. Measured deviations of the values of temperature of the second

reference standard platinum resistance thermometer from those of the

first reference standard.

328
DEVIATIONS , mK

p

Id p

CD

I

I p o O o o

9 1^9 6 6

Oo <^9

X

<^ c5> 6 p o O DCS ^

O

9 tf 9-

no Ok

9P>

9

ti^ 5 9 9 c? 9 3,

OJ W W OJ C>J OJ

CTi CJ1 ^ OJ ro —

X > O 6

W

l\) — o ID 00

33

329
gure VII. 7. Plot of B versus A for SPRTs calibrated at the NBS over the

period from 1968 until 1984. See Figure VII. 8.

330
10^ X B + 580

O)

X

00

CjO

00

CD

00

cn

4^

CD

C/1

CD

Ul

cn

CD

CD

L-T.

00

CD Ul CD

• . • •

t*

•

• • 4 • »^

331
Figure VII. 8. Plot of 6 versus a for SPRTs calibrated at the NBS over the

period from 1968 until 1984. The values plotted here are for the same SPRTs as those of Figure VII. 7.

332
de 1 ta

(JD

CD

cn

CD CD

CO

4:^ CD

CD

cn

cn

C7^

CD

CD

Ul

CD

• • •

• • •

LP.

333
VIII. FUTURE PLANS

We are currently automating, modernizing, and improving the Platinum

Resistance Thermometer Calibration Laboratory. When implemented, this should

result in greater efficiency of operation and in improvement of service.

Also, the chance of human error will be diminished. The plans are as follows.

VIII. 1. Semi-Automate Calibration of Long-Stem SPRTs

This involves (1) acquiring a computer and the appropriate peripherals,

(2) writing the appropriate programs for obtaining data, analyzing the data,

and printing calibration reports, and (3) putting into operation an automatic

resistance bridge to be used with the computer.

VIII. 2. Automatic Calibration of Capsule-Type SPRTs

The feasibility of using the NBS EPT-76 calibration apparatus, which is

automated, has been tested and found to be suitable for calibrating capsuletype SPRTs, A program appropriate for analysis of the data must yet be

written.

VIII. 3. Install Check Temperature Fixed Points

This is long overdue and is desperately needed to check the accuracy of

calibrations. Indium (^29.784 K) and cadmium (594.258 K) or lead (600.652 K)

fixed points are planned for this purpose. Work on the indium fixed point is

in progress.

VIII. 4. Preparation of Back-up Tin and Zinc Fixed-point Cells

Several fixed-point cells of tin (505.1181 K) and zinc (692.73 K) are being prepared and intercompared as back-ups for the cells currently being

used. Freezing curves of the new cells will be obtained.

VIII. 5. Preparation of an Argon Triple-Point (83.798 K) Cell and Its

Associated Apparatus

The argon triple-point, a temperature fixed point of the IPTS -68(75), can be more accurately realized than can the oxygen normal boiling point.

334
Consequently, an apparatus for realizing this fixed point will be prepared, as will the appropriate cryostat for its use. At the present time, the oxygen

point is maintained only on a wire scale at NBS.

VIII. 6. Prepare for Revision of IPTS

A revision of the IPTS-68(75) is under consideration. As the

implications of the revision for platinum thermometry become clear, we will

take appropriate steps to implement the requirements. The revision will

entail a wider temperature range for SPRTs, perhaps extending to 106'4.'43 °C

(the gold point), but more likely to 961.93 °C (the silver point). This will

entail the following:

VIII. 6. a. Install the aluminum freezing point at 933-61 K (660.46 °C). The

appropriate furnace must be prepared for this.

VIII. 6. b. Install the silver freezing point at 1 235.08 K (961.93 °C). A furnace must be constructed for this fixed point.

VIII. 6. c. Install the gold freezing point at 1 337.58 K {]06^.H3 °C). A furnace must be fabricated for this fixed point.

335
IX. REFERENCES

[I] The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968, Amended Edition

of 1975", Metrologia J_2, 7-17 (1 976).

[2] "The 1976 Provisional 0.5 K to 30 K Temperature Scale", Metrologia j_5,

65-68 (1979).

[3] R. E. Bedford, M. Durieux, R. Muijlwijk, and C. R. Barber,

"Relationship between the International Practical Temperature Scale of

, 1968 and the NBS-1955, NPL-6I , PRMI-54, and PSU-54 Temperature Scales in

the Range from I3.8I to 90.188 K" , Metrologia 5, 47-49 (1969).

[4] J. F. Swindells, "National Bureau of Standards Provisional Scale of

1955", in Precision Measurement and Calibration. Temperature , Nat. Bur.

Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 300, Vol. 2, 513 pages (Aug. 1968), p. 56.

[5] In this document, Kelvin temperatures are used, in general, below 0 °C

and Celsius temperatures are used above 0 °C. This avoids the use of

negative values and conforms with general usage.

[6] Since T^g(Au) is close to the thermodymanic temperature of the freezing

point or gold and c^ is close to the second radiation constant of the

Planck equation, it is not necessary to specify the value of the

wavelength to be employed in the measurements [see Metrologia 3, 28

(1967)].

[7] E. H. McLaren and E. G. Murdock, "Radiation Effects in Precision

Resistance Thermometry. I. Radiation Losses in Transparent Thermometer

Sheaths", Can. J. Phys . 44, 2631-2652 (1966).

[8] Eq. (III. 3) is a reformulation of Eq. (22) in the original version of

the IPTS-68. Values of T,g derived from the two equations are virtually

identical (within ± 10 yK;; the original formulation is an acceptable

alternative.

2 2

[9] Small discontinuities do exist in d AW. (T^o)/clT^o across the junctions

at 20.28 K, 54.361 K, and 90.188 K; thiir Magnitudes, however, are such

that they will be undetectable at 20.28 K and 54.361 K and barely

detectable at 90.188 K in the most precise measurements of

thermophysi cal quantities.

[10] If the freezing point of tin (see Note e, Table IIl.l) is used as a fixed point instead of the boiling point of water, W(100 °C) for the

platinum thermometer should be calculated from Eqs. (III. 8) and (III. 9).

[II] L. B. Belyansky, M. P. Orlova, D. I. Sharevskaya, and D. N. Astrov.,

"Investigation of the Resistance-Temperature Properties of Platinum for

Resistance Thermometry over the Range from 90 K to 273 K" , Metrologia 5,

No. 4, 107-111 (1969).

336
[12] H. J, Hoge and F. G. Bri ckwedde , "Intercomparison of Platinum Resistance

Thermometers Between -190 °C and °C" , J. Res. Nat, Bur. Stand. 28,

217-240 (February 19^2) RP1i^54.

[13] M. R. M. Moussa, H. Van Dijk, M. Durieux, "Comparison of Platinum

Resistance Thermometers Between 63 K and 373.15 K" , Physica 40, 33-48

(1968). ~

[14] D. I. Sharevskaya, M. P. Orlova, L. B. Belyansky, and G. A. Galoushkina,

"Investigation of the Resistance-Temperature Properties of Platinum for

Resistance Thermometry over the Range from 1 4 K to 90 K" , Metrologia 5,

103-107 (1969).

[15] S. D. Ward and J. P. Compton, "Intercomparison of Platinum Resistance

Thermometers and T^g Calibrations", Metrologia _T_5, 31-46 (1979).

[16] H. Sakurai and R. C. Kemp, "Intercomparison of 12 Standard Platinum

Resistance Thermometers between 13.8 K and 273.1 5 K" , Metrologia 2A_,

201-206 (1985).

[17] R. E. Bedford and C. K. Ma, "A Note on the Reproducibility of the

IPTS-68 Below 273-15 K" , Metrologia 6, 89-94 (1970).

[18] Certain commerical materials are identified in this paper in order to

adequately specify the experimental procedure. Such identification does

not imply recommendation or endorsement by the National Bureau of

Standards

.

[19] E. H. McLaren and E. G. Murdock, "Radiation Effects in Precision

Resistance Thermometry, II. Illumination Effect on Temperature

Measurement in Water Triple-Point Cells Packed in Crushed Ice", Can J.

Phys. 44, 2653-2659 (1966).

[20] J. L. Riddle, G. T. Furukawa, and H. H. Plumb, "Platinum Resistance

Thermometry", Nat. Bur. Stand. (U. S.) Monograph 126, 129 pages (April

1 973)

.

[21] George T. Furukawa and William R. Bigge, "Reproducibility of some triple

point of water cells", Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in

Science and Industry , Vol. 5 (American Institute of Physics, New York,

1982) pp. 291-297.

[22] W. G. Pfann, Zone Melting, 2nd edition (Wiley and Sons, New York, N.Y.,

1966).

[23] Work done at NBS indicates that the temperature gradient expected from

the change in pressure with depth is distorted or obscured when

observations are made from within the graphite thermometer well if the

solid-liquid interface is not very close to and surrounding the well.

[24] R. D. Cutkosky, "An Automatic Resistance Thermometer Bridge", IEEE

Trans. Instrum. Meas. IM-29, 330-333 (1980).

337
[25] R. D. Cutkosky, "Automatic Resistance Thermometer Bridges for New and

Special Applications", Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in

Science and Industry , Vol. 5 (American Institute of Physics, New York,

1982) pp. 711-713.

[26] The International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968. Adopted by the

Comite International des Poids et Mesures, Metrologia 5, No. 2, 35-44

(April 1969).

[27] N. L. Kusters , M. P. MacMartin and R. J. Berry, "Resistance Thermometry

with the Direct Current Comparator", in Temperature, Its Measurement and

Control in Science and Industry , Vol. 4, ed. by H. H. Plumb, (Instrument

Society of America, Pittsburgh, 1972) pp. 1477-1485.

[28] N. L. Kusters and M. P. MacMartin, "Direct Current Comparator Bridge for

Resistance Thermometry", IEEE Trans. Instrum. Meas., IM-1

9

, No. 4, 291-

297 (1970).

[29] R. B. D. Knight, Inst. Elect. Eng. Conf. Publ . J_52, 132 (1977).

[30] R. D. Cutkosky, "Guarding Techniques for Resistance Thermometers", IEEE

Trans. Instrum. and Meas. IM-30 , 217-220 (1981).

[31] At the NBS the tin-point cell is used without the inner freeze

immediately next to the thermometer well. Because of the liquid-solid

interface not being close to the thermometer well, the temperature

gradient expected from the change in pressure with depth is somewhat

obscured; the temperature observed at 3 and 6 cm up from the bottom is

very nearly the same as that at the bottom. The temperature observed at

the bottom, however, is essentially the same as that observed at the

bottom with an inner freeze immediately next to the well.

[32] In an experiment where the ice mantles of five cells were intentionally

cracked during the preparation of the cells, the TPW temperatures

observed for the cells did not differ significantly, if at all, from the

temperatures that were obtained when the cells were prepared without

cracking the mantles. This indicates that either the crack healed

sufficiently that it did not permit the water outside the mantle to mix

with that in the inner melt or that the water of the TPW cell is highly

pure

.

[33] On occasions when a layer of ice formed across the top, the internal

pressure that was formed broke the ice layer instead of the glass cell.

The water that escaped through the break in the ice immediately became

an "ice fountain".

[34] The water level in the cell serves as an indicator of whether an adequate (or and excessive) amount of ice is formed around the

thermometer well.

338
[35] Of the five TPW cells where the inner and the outer water were intentionally mixed by alternately inverting and uprighting the cells,

the temperatures that were observed for four of the cells were essentially the same as those before mixing. For the fifth cell, the

temperature after mixing was about 0.0^4 to 0.05 mK lower than before

mi xing

.

[36] Visible and near-infrared radiation transmitted through the ice bath

could easily cause errors as large as 0.5 mK. The aluminum sleeve

helps shield the PRT sensor from the radiation.

[37] Eq. (V.22) is a reformulation of Eq. (22) in the original version of the

lPTS-68. Values of T^g derived from the two equations are virtually

identical (within ±10 yK); the original formulation is an acceptable

alternative

.

2 2

[38] Small discontinuities do exist in d AW. (T,o)/dT,„ across the junctions

at 20.28 K, 54.361 K, and 90.188 K; however, their magnitudes are such

that they will be undetectable at 20.28 K and 5^.361 K and barely

detectable at 90.188 K in the most precise measurements of

thermophysical quantities.

[39] R. J. Berry, "Oxygen-Activated Thermal Cycling Effects in Pt Resistance

Thermometers", Metrologia j_0, 145-154 ( 1974).

[40] R. J. Berry, "Control of oxygen-activated cycling effects in platinum

resistance thermometers", (The Institute of Physics, London, 1975) Inst.

Phys. Conf. Series No. 26, pp. 99-106. Chapter 3 in Temperature

Measurements , 1975, ed. by B. F. Billing and T. J. Quinn,

[41] R. J. Berry, "Study of Multilayer Surface Oxidation of Platinum by

Electrical Resistance Techniques", Surface Science, 76, ^^5-^^2 (1978).

[42] Dry air is sealed in the protective sheath of most SPRTs. Most capsuletype PRTs have helium gas with a small amount of oxygen sealed in the

capsule. If pure helium gas were initially used, it is possible that the

gas would eventually become contaminated with some oxygen,

[43] In an investigation of the freezing point of tin, the SPRT that was employed was initially annealed at 480 °C. Before the intercompari son measurements of tin points were started, the SPRT was probably used in

preliminary experiments at the tin point f or a total of about 6 hours.

The subsequent measurements showed that R(TPW) increased by an amount

corresponding to about 0.01 mK to 0.02 mK per 1 hour and 40 minutes

exposure at the tin point.

[44] R. J. Berry, "The Influence of Crystal Defects in Platinum on Platinum

Resistance Thermometry", in Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in

Science and Industry , Vol. 4, Part 2, (Instrument Society of America,

Pittsburgh, 1972) pp. 937-949.

339
[45] L. A. Guildner and R. E. Edsinger, "Deviation of International Practical

Temperatures from Thermodynamic Temperatures in the Temperature Range

from 273-16 K to 730 K" , J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. 80 A, 703 (1976).

[46] E. H. McLaren, "Intercomparison of 11 resistance thermometers at the

ice, steam, tin, cadmium, and zinc points". Can. J. Phys . 37, 422-432

(1959).

[47] J. L. Tiggelman and M. Durieux, "Intercomparison of Standard Platinum

Thermometers Calibrated on IPTS-68 Between 13-81 and 273.15 K" , in

Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , Vol. 4 (Instrument Society of America, Pittsburgh, 1972) pp. 857-864.

[48] After several successive calibrations, the relatively older thermometer

A was considered to be less stable than thermometers B and C.

Thermometer A was subsequently replaced with thermometer D.

[49] An SPRT is usually broken before instabilities resulting from grain

growth or other defects cause it to be "retired."

[50] The SPRTs were "annealed" at 480 °C before they were calibrated. The

irreproducibility of the measurements at the fixed points might have

been larger if the SPRTs had not been annealed.

340
X. BIBLIOGRAPHY

A relevant bibliography in addition to the References is given below.

X.I . NBS Publications

G. T. Furukawa, W. G. Saba, D, M. Sweger , and H, H. Plumb, "Normal

Boiling Point and Triple Point Temperatures of Neon", Metrologia 6,

35-37 (Jan. 1970).

^gorge T.^^urukawa, "Vapor Pressures of Natural Neon and of the Isotopes

Ne and Ne from the Triple Point to the Normal Boiling

Point", Metrologia 8, 11-27 (January 1972).

20 22 George T. Furukawa, "Vapor Pressures of Ne and Ne", Temperature, Its

Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , (Instrument Society of

America, Pittsburgh, 1972), Vol. 4, Part IB, 127-135.

George T. Furukawa, William R. Bigge and John L. Riddle, "Triple Point of

Argon", Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , (Instrument Society of America, Pittsburgh, 1972), Vol. 4, Part 1C,

231-243.

G. T. Furukawa, J. L. Riddle, and W. R. Bigge, "Investigation of Freezing

Temperatures of National Bureau of Standards' Tin Standards",

Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , (Instrument Society of America, Pittsburgh, 1972), Vol. 4, Part 10, 2^4?-

263.

George T. Furukawa and Martin L. Reilly, "Application of Precise HeatCapacity Data to the Analysis of the Temperature Intervals of the

International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 in the Region of 90 K"

,

Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , (Instrument Society of America, Pittsburgh, 1972). Vol. 4, Part 1A,

27-36.

R. D. Cutkosky, "An ac resistance thermometer bridge", J. Res. Nat. Bur.

Stand. (U.S.) 7^ (Engr. and Instr.), Nos. 1 and 2, 15-18 (Jan-June

1970).

G. T. Furukawa, J. R. Riddle, and W. R. Bigge, "The International

Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 in the Region 13-81 K to 90.188 K as Maintained at the National Bureau of Standards", J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand.

77A, 309-332, May-June 1973.

G. T. Furukawa, "Investigation of Freezing Temperatures of National

Bureau of Standards Aluminum Standards", J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.)

78A (Phys. and Chera.), No.M, 477-^495 (197M).

341
G. T. Furukawa, W. R. Bigge, J. L. Riddle, and M. L. Reilly, "The

Freezing Point of Aluminum as a Temperature Standard", Temperature

Measurement 1 975 , 389-397, edited by B. F. Billing and T. J. Quinn, Inst.

Phys . Conf. Ser . No. 26 (The Institute of Physics, Bristol and London,

1975)

.

George T. Furukawa, John L. Riddle, and William R. Bigge, "The

International Practical Temperature Scale of 1968 in the Region 90.188 K

to 903.89 K as Maintained at the National Bureau of Standards", J. Res.

Nat. Bur. Stand. 80A, ^477-504 (May-June 1976).

George T. Furukawa, William R. Bigge, John L. Riddle, and Martin L.

Reilly, "The Freezing Point of Aluminum as a Fixed Point in Platinum

Resistance Thermometry", Comite Consultatif de Thermometrie, June 15-16,

1976, Sevres, France, Annexe T 19.

George T. Furukawa and William R. Bigge, "The Triple Point of Mercury as

a Thermometrie Standard", Comite Consultatif de Thermometrie, June 15-16,

1976, Sevres, France, Annexe T 1^.

George T. Furukawa and John L. Riddle, "Comparison of Freezing

Temperatures of the National Bureau of Standards SRM 7^0 Zinc Standards",

Comite Consultatif de Thermometrie, May 9-11, 1978, Sevres, France.

B. W. Mangum and D. D. Thornton, "Determination of the Triple-Point

Temperature of Gallium", Metrologia _1_5, 201-21 5 (1979).

G. T. Furukawa, "Platinum Resistance Thermometry in Thermodynamic

Measurements", Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations as part of the

Workshop on Techniques for Measurement of Thermodynamic Properties,

Albany, OR, August 21-23, 1979.

G. T. Furukawa and W. R. Bigge, "A Measurement Assurance Program

Thermometer Calibration", Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ. 591, August

1980, pp. 137-145. Proceedings of Conference on Testing Laboratory

Performance Evaluation and Accreditation, Gaithersburg , Md., September

25-26, 1979.

G. T. Furukawa, "Reproducibility of Platinum Resistance Thermometer

Calibration at the NBS and the Triple Point of Argon in Transportable

Sample Cells", CCT Report, 17-19 June 1980.

G. T. Furukawa and B. W. Mangum, "Insulation Support for SPRTs", CCT

Report, 17-19 June 1980.

George T. Furukawa, John L. Riddle, William R. Bigge and Earl R. Pfeiffer, "Standard Reference Materials: Application of Some Metal SRMs

as Thermometrie Fixed Points", Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Spec. Publ.

260-77, August 1982, UO p.

342
G. T. Furukawa, "Reproducibility of the triple point of argon in sealed

transportable cells", Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science

and Industry . Vol. 5 (American Institute of Physics, New York, 1982)

pp. 239-2M8.

George T. Furukawa and Earl R. Pfeiffer, "Investigation of the Freezing

Temperature of Cadmium", Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in

Science and Industry , Vol. 5 (American Institute of Physics, New York,

1982) pp. 355-360.

B. W. Mangum, "Triple Point of Gallium as a Temperature Fixed Point",

Temperature, Its Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , Vol. 5 (American Institute of Physics, New York, 1982) pp. 355-360.

H. J. Hoge and F. G. Brickwedde, "Establishment of a temperature scale

for the calibration of thermometers between 14 and 83 °K" , J. Res. Nat.

Bur. Stand. (U.S.) 22, 351-373 (1939) RP1158.

George T. Furukawa and John L. Riddle, "Apparatus for Testing

Oceanographic Resistance Thermometers," Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) Tech.

Note 894, January 1976, 59 pages.

George T. Furukawa, "The Triple Point of Oxygen in Sealed Transportable

Cells", J. Res. Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.) 9Ji_, 255-275 (1 986).

X.2. Non-NBS Publications

E. H. McLaren and E. G. Murdock, "The Freezing Points of High Purity

Metals as Precision Temperature Standards. V. Thermal Analysis on 10

Samples of Tin with Purities Greater Then 99.99+ Percent", Can. J. Phys.

38, 100-118 (1960).

E. H. McLaren, "The Freezing Points of High Purity Metals as Precision

Temperature Standards", American Institute of Physics, Temperature, Its

Measurement and Control in Science and Industry , Vol. 3, Part 1, 185-198

(Reinhold Publishing Corp., New York, N. Y., 1962).

N. L. Kusters, M. P. MacMartin, and R. J. Berry, "Resistance Thermometry

with the Direct Current Comparator", Temperature, Its Measurement and

Control in Science and Industry . Vol. 4, Part 2 (Instrument Society of

America, Pittsburg, 1972) pp. 1477-1485.

J. J. Connolly and J. V. McAllan, "The Tin-Iron Eutectic", Acta Met. 23,

1 209-1 21 4 (1 975).

343
XI. APPENDIX

XI. 1. Typical Calibration Report
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY

GAITHERSBURG, MP 20899

REPORT OF CALIBRATION

PLATINUM RESISTANCE THERMOMETER

SERIAL NO. 1990421

SUBMITTED BY

PLAT I NUM RES I STANCE

THERMOMETRY LABORATORY

THIS THEF;M0MET£R was CALIBRATED FOR USE WITH CONTINUOUS

CURRENT OF 1.0 MA. THROUGH THE THERMOMETER.

THE FOLLOWING VALUES WERE FOUND FOR THE CONSTANTS IN THE

INTERNATIONAL PRACTICAL TEMPERATURE SCALE (196S) FORMULAS:

ALPHA = 3.926824-03 A4 = 8.575-07

DELTA = 1.496521 C4 = 1.656-14

THE PERTINENT INTERNATIONAL PRACTICAL. TEMPERATURE FORMULAS

ARE GIVEN IN THE DISCUSSION ON THE FOLLOWING PAGES.

THE RESISTANCE AT 0 DEGREES C WAS FOUND TO EE 25.5358 ABSQL.UTE OHMS. DURING CALIBRATION, THIS RESISTANCE CHANGED BY THE

EQUIVALENT OF .0003 DEG C.

THIS THERMOMETER IS SATISFACTORY AS A DEFINING STANDARD IN

ACCORDANCE WITH THE TEXT OF THE IPTS-68. THE ESTIMATED UNCERTAINTY OF CALrBRATION ON THE IPTS-68 IS +1/-1 Ml< AT THE ZINC

AND TIN POINTS AND +1/-3 MK AT THE OXYGEN POINT.

FOR THE DIRECTOR,

NATIONAL MEASUREMENT LABORATORY

ROBERT J. SOUL EN, JR.

CHIEF, TEMPERATURE

AND PRESSURE DIVISION

CENTER FOR BASIC STANDARDS

TEST NC.I- SAMPLE

COMPUTED

JLR/LINIVAC

345
- 2 -

Temperatures between 0 "^C and 63 0.7/, '^C on the new International

lYacticrjl Temperature Scale of 1968 (IPTS-6S) are defined by the

indications (resistance values) of standard platinum resistance

thermometers and the following expressions:

- t = t' 4 M(t' ) (1)

M(t. ) = .0^5 (^) -1) -1) (^3^ -1) (3)

where t is the temperature, at the outside of the tube protecting the

platinum resistor, in °C on the International Practical Temperature

Scale of 1968 and and are the resistances of the platinum resistor

at t° and 0 °C respectively, measured vith a continuous current through

the platinum resistor. The value of this current and the values of the

constants a and b found for this thermometer are given on the previous

page. The value of M(t'), given by expression (3)} is the same for all

thermometers and is a function only of the quantity t' . The addition

of the small value represented by (3) serves to make the IPTS-68

conform more closely to the thermodynamic scale than can be done with

only the simple quadratic of expression (2).

An alternate form which is completely equivalent to expression (2)

is

R^ = Rq (1 + At' + Bt'2) (A)

In some instances expression is less difficult to calculate than

(2). The constants A and B used in are related directly to

a and b.

A = a (1 + 6/100) (5)

B = -a6/10^ (6)

346
- 3 -

CAUTION: The values of A, B, and b on the new 1968 scale are distinctly different froin the corresponding values on the old 19/.8

or 1927 scale. The values of a and are also different but on]y

trivially so.

Temperatures below 0 °C on the new 1968 scale are calculated using

a standard reference table which gives values of R^/Ho ^or a fictitious

"mean" standard thermometer. This reference table and a specified

deviation equation are combined to give the values for a particular

thermometer. The standard reference table used for lPTS-68 is referred

to as the "CCT-68" table. It is convenient to use the symbol in

place of R^/Rq. For the special reference values of Ti^/R^ tabulated

in CCT-68 the special symbol W^* is used. The table giving values of

for a particular thermometer from 0 °C down to -182.962 °C may be

calculated from the following expressions,

Wt = + AW^ (7)

AW^ = A^t + C^t^ (t - 100) (8)

Expression (8) is the specified deviation equation in the range 0 °C

to -182.962 °C. The constants A^ and C^ to be used in expression (8)

for this particular thermometer are given on the first page.

A table calculated from the constants for this thermometer is on

the following pages. If no value for is given, the table below 0 °C

was calculated with an assumed value of this constant. The first column

of the table gives values of temperature. Unless a different function

is requested, the ccccnd column gives P-^/'^q (i.e. the ratio of the

resistance at the stated temperature to the resistance at the ice point).

The third column gives the inverse (reciprocal) of the difference between

347
successive values in the second column. These reciprocal first differences

are included to facilitate interpolation. The error introduced by using

linear interpolation will be less than 0.0001 °C.

The range of this table does not imply that this thermometer is

necessarily a satisfactory instrument over exactly the same range. The range

was selected to cover an interval believed to include the needs of the

majority of users of this type of thermometer.

To determine the total uncertainty of the temperature measurement process

with your calibrated platinum resistance thermometer, determine first the

uncertainty of your temperature measurement process. To this uncertainty add

the errors propagated by the errors of calibration at each of the fixed

points. (Refer to the attached error propagation curves. For the uncertainty

of calibration of your thermometer, see page 1 of this report.) To determine

the calibration errors, for example, at 100 °C, the contribution from the zinc

point is ±0.15 mK and from the tin point is +0.70 mK; hence, the total error

from calibration is ±0.85 mK. At -100 °C, the contribution from the zinc

point is ±0.12 mK, from the tin point is ±0.52 mK, and from the oxygen normal

boiling point is +0.36/-0.12 mK ; hence, the total error from calibration is

+ 1.00/-0.76 mK.

USCOMM-NBS-DC

348
- 5 -

349
6

Footnote to the error propagation curves on page 5.

The curves show the error at various temperatures that would be

propagated by errors made in the calibration of a standard platinum

resistance thermometer. Each curve shows the error (i.e., departure from the

IPTS-68) in the values of temperatures for the case when plus one degree

error (1 °C hotter) occurs in realizing the temperature (hotness) of a given

calibration point. Note that a +1 *'C error at a calibration point causes the

calibrated thermometer, when used to determine the temperature of the same calibration point that is accurately realized, to give a temperature value

that is 1 °C lower than the assigned value for the calibration point. The

calibration at the triple point of water is assumed to have been made without

error. The fixed point at which the error was made is indicated on the curve

and the calibration at the other fixed point, indicated in parenthesis, is

assumed to have been performed without error. The error curve depends not

only upon the particular fixed point at which the error occurred, but also

upon which other fixed points were employed in the calibration.

Below 0 °C, the calibration at the oxygen normal boiling point is

assumed to have been made without error for the zinc, tin, and steam point

error curves and the calibrations at the zinc point and at the tin point or at the steam point are assumed to have been made without error for the oxygen

normal boiling point error curve. A calibration error at the oxygen normal

boiling point does not introduce an error in the measured values of

temperature above 0 "C. The first derivatives of the ZINC (TIN) curve and the

TIN(ZINC) curve are not continuous through 0 °C.

The curve marked Rq shows the error that would be introduced if the

experimenter makes a +1 °C error in realizing the temperature (hotness) of

0 °C and then calculates the temperature from the value of R(T)/R(0 "C).

350
IF'7S--6S TABLE FOR |-<ESIS'[ANi:;E TFIEl'MOliF I'F'R {-^->0/]--->\

TEMF',, F^ESISTANCI-:;; INVERSE TEMP, RF,:;. J, o 1 Alv|i...E INVERSE

t::i f: g „ c: ra t :[ ci ij ;i: i--- 1-- „ miE g i: F' a t' t o ri r f , 150 , 3F:'".^l 1 J 149 0

-148 '6

-147 „ 398 149 235.69

- 146 ,,402339 235.86

145 ,,406626 236,02

-144 ,410860 236.19

143 .415091 236.35

1 4 2 ,419319 236.51

-141 ,,423544 236.67

140 . ^:27 /66 236 , S3

139 .431986 236.99

- 1 38 , 436203 237, 15

-137 .4 40417 237.30

-136 ,444628 237.46

-135 .443336 237.61

-134 ,4530<'!2 237.76

133 . 457246 237., 91

1 8 2 „ 2 4 7 F;

4

6 2 30 „ 'T 2 - J. 32 . A- 6 1 A- A- 6 238 . 06

131 .465644 238.20 1 ,-, -j -iK-"'-.1, I. . -...i,: 180 .256S21 23Ci,. 57 -130 ,46984 0 238.35

- 1 7;;^ „ 260F:57 230 „ 66 - 1 29 . 4 7403:3 238 „ 49

178 ,,265190 230 „ 76 •-128 ,478223 238.64

- 1 77 . 269522 230 „ 86 - 1 27 „ ^!-824 1 1 233 . 78

-17c;. » 2

7

3

S

5 1 2 3

0

, 9 & 1 2 6 , 4 Q

6

5 9 7 2 :3 ti; . 92

-175 .278178 231,, 10 -125 .490780 239.05

174 ,282503 231,23 -124 ,494961 239.19

-173 .,286825 231,37 123 ,,499139 239.32

1 72 , 29 1 1 45 23 1 . 5 1 1 22 . 5033 1 5 239 . 46

- 1 7 1 . 295 4-6 1 23 1 , 65 - 1 2 1 „ :;:10 7 489 239 . 59

1 7 C) , 2

9'7 7

7

:5 2 3 I „ 3 0 - 1 20 , '5 1 1

6

6 1 2 39.72

1 69 „ 304087 23 1 . 96 - 1 1 9 „ 5 1 5830 239 „ 85

- 1 67 „ 3 12700 232 , 28 - 1 1 7 . 524 1 62 240 . 1

1

1 6 6' ., 3 1 7 0

0

2 2 : 2 , 4 1 1 6 ,52 3 2A 2. A- 0 . 23

-

1

65 „ 32

1

3

0

1 2 32 . 60 1 1 15 , :5 32 4 S '5 240. 36.

1 6A , :725i::;i97 232 . 77 1 1 4 , '536::^A- 3 240 . 48

•~ 1 6 3 , 3 2 ^7 39 0 2 32 , 94 - 1 1 3 „ '5 A- 0 7 9 '7 2^1' C) . 6 0

- 1 62 , 334 1 30 233 . 1 1 - 112 , 544953 2A0 , 72

- 1 6 1 , 33S'^l-67 233 , 28 - 1 1 1 , :^::i49 1 06 240 . 84

1. 60 = 3 A 2 7 '5 0 2:3 : „ A- 'o - 1 1 C) ., 3 3 3 2 3 :..:< 4- 0 , 3

-

1

9 . 3 A

7

0: 1 2 :3 :3 „ ti. :3 1 09 .337 A 0 3 24-1.0 B

1 53 , 35 1 308 233 „ SO - 1 OS , 36 1 49 24 1 - 20

- 1 57 , 355532 23:3 „ '77 - 1. 07 . 565.;:.9:3 24 1 . 3

1

-156 ,359853 234,15 106 .,569835 241.43

•- 1 515 364 1 20 2::^:4 ., :32 - 1 015 , 3 739 75 24- 1 . 54

1 54- , 363::;!S^. 234 , 50 - 1 04 , 573 J. 1 4 24 1. 66

:L 15 ;3 „ 3

7

2 6 4 6 2 :3 4 , 67 - 1

0

3 „ 33 2250 24 1.77

152 ,376904 234,34 1C:'2 ,586 384 241.88

-- 1 15 1 „ :3 13 1 1 15 9 2:3 15 . 0 1 - :l. 0 1 „ 15 '7

0

3 1 6 241.9

9

150 ,335411 235,18 -100 ,594647 242.10

351
TA1-;l.J-:: FGF^ RESIST ANCE THERMUMi: j ER 1

EMF' „ RESISIANCE INVERSE TEMP, RESISTANCE IN VERS

EGi „ C RAT 1

0

D [l-'E „ DEG,C RATIO DIFE,

1 00

~" •' C'

/

„ 594647

„ 5' 'b /' .

r, 60 7 023

242 „ 10

242,, 21

242 - 3

1

50 . 799C)70

-• - l C:'- , 'kM.I / 1 /':)

246, 30

2-4-6. 247 , 05

i 1 1 1

" 1

/': !.

...-i-.c;. „ .j :;- 242 „ 6;.::i -45 , 1 '?309

247 . 14

24 / .. 22

-93

, 619392

. 62351

0

242/74 -44 „ 323352

247 ,38

—

9

„ 6:-' 7626 242/74 -4 2 ,331436 247, 47

-91 „ 631741 243 » 05 -41 ,335475 247 , ':i5

—'/'(

)

u :.y:"';JC' 243 „ 15 40 .339514

-39 ,343551 ?47;5l

-s& 64 4074

, 6 43131

243, 35

243,, 45

•->;S ., 347::::i36

-37 ,351621

247.79

247,87

:. 652237 243,, 55 36 . 355c:.:::,

4

• - Sb ;;;;:43, 'Z'U "•-'•'' 339'::.cs:::i 243, 0:-i

„ 660494

„ . .1 .''I'j'

''

1 243/74.•43 » 34 ""••"'"' " ••' '•'^••' 248, 1

1

2 '^l- 3 , 1 '7

C' „ c:.<:.;.;:::k::.Vb 24 3. 94 -:.::;2 ,671/73 -.'/•( -.'—.•''^i '„.» n .- . /

•- 1 -"30

„ .-./27'

'

- 6 / c;! 'c\ 244 „ 03

*-•; .'1 A i

••.' a". •} • , a i. -31 ,375799

-30 . 3 79325

2-i-3, 35

243,, 43

„ 630933 244 „ 2,r;- -29 „ 33 •i-:::' -7;S , :5'j7... 244.32 -•28 .337371

.,-77 "

6!::::':;^ 1 6Q 244, 41 -27 ,391393 243, 67

24 4/::.l -26 ,,395913 248 , 75

-S

„ 69 7346 244,60

. 7014 33 •-2 4' . 9C)3949 248, 90

-73 „ 705513 244/79

— .c.'. 244,33 -22 ,911931 249,, 06

"71 ,, 7 13634 244,97 -21 .915V95 249 , 1

4

"7 (')

. 717765 24 5 r 06' — 2 Ci 2i > C* 0 7 24 7 . .c

-

1

,,, ,. / 2|y4 4

-v-tr.r: , 1 245, 15 -19 ,924019

-1 o . -'..- c;.'..,'..-:. - - 1 / . '::'>; 2 0:.:":o

249,29

»...> -6/

a / .c. .- .

II /

'.'••• '"' / 245, :-!3 ' '^''f -•6 „ 734 072 24 5, 42 "•'•1 V

, 2

"" C'

''j „ 7..:i3 1 45i ,.•-'45, 51 — 1 II'- «

'.-' 4 0 :'."i2' -64 . 742217

. „ 746237

245 , 60

245, 69

- 1 4 „ ::-'44(j57

-13 ,948061

249 , 63

249/75

-••62 = 750356 245, 77 12 ,952063 249, 83

-6

1

. 754423 245 „ 36 ;!. 1 „ 'v5':'065 249 , y

1

~6'J , 7^;:.S489 245, 95 - 1 0 „ '76(JC)65

-59 „ 762554 246, 04 -9 , 964064 7:50 , 06

— o >i':> „ 766617 246. 12 •-3 , 9680c:.

2

250, 14

D

» 7706 73

. 774739

246, 21

246, 29

•-'7

, 972053

-6 .976054

250 , 22

250, 29

246 „ 33 -5 , 930043 250, 37

, / o23':.'

.

246.46 -4 ,984041 250, 45

„ 7!-io'-' L 1 n . cr

-T'.y n -...i-.J -3 „ 9138032 250 , 52

-52 „ 7';;''0965 246, 63 o , 992C-'23 250 , 60

-51 , 795013 246/72 250 . 6'3 — f:i 0 . 799070 246. 3Ci 0 1 . OOOOOC) 250, 75

352
IF-'TS-68 TABLE FOR RESISTANCE THERMOMFTER 1990421

TEMP. RESIS-TANr:£ IN VERS

DEG„C RATIO 0 :i: I"- F . 0 1 » uuuuuu 250 „ 75

1 1 . 0039S7 2!50 „ 3:3

2 1 ,. 007972 250. 91

3 1 „ 01 1 957 250 „ 93

1 . 015940 25 1 „ 06'

5 1 = 019922 251 „ 14

6 1 u 023902 251 ,22

7 1 „ 0273S2 251 „ 29

e 1 „ C)3 1 360 2::::i 1 „ 37

9 1 » 0353:::;7 251 „ 45

10 J. „ 03'\:'S 1 3 251 .52

11 1 „ 043737 251 . 60

12 1 „ 047760 251 .63

13 1 , 051733 25 1 . 76

14 1 „ Cj5.::i703 25 1

„

33

15 I „ 059673 2!:. 1 „ 9 :l 16 1 . 063641 25 1 . 99

17 1 „ 067609 252 „ 07

18 1 . 071575 252. 14

19 1 , 075539 252 . 22

20 1 079503 252. 30

21 1 „ 0S3465 2!:.2 „ 33

22 1 , 0S7427 252. 45

23 1 » 091336 -"i in:- --i a 24 1 . 095345 252 , 6

1

25 1 „ UV93U:-! 252 . 69

26 1 . 103259 252.76

27 1 „ 107214 252. 34

28 1 . 1 1 1 J. 63 252. 92

29 I „ 1 15120 253 „ 00

30 1 1 19072 253,, 07

31 1 . 123022 253. 15

32 1. 126971 253. 23

33 1 „ 1 3C>9

1

9 253. 31

34 1 „ 134365 253. 38

35 1 „ 1 333 1

1

253. 46

36 1 „ 142755 253,. 54

37 1 , 1 46693 253. 62

38 1 . 150640 253. 70

39 1 „ 154530 253. 77

40 1 „ 153519 253. 35

41 1 . 162457 253 . 93

42 1 . 16<;;.394 254.01

43 1 „ 1 70330 254 . 03

44 1 „ 174265 254. 16

45 1 . 173193 254. 24

46 1 . 1 82 1 30 254. 32

47 1 „ 1 3606

1

254 . 40

43 1 „ 139990 254 , 47

49 1 , 193919 254. 55

50 1 . 197846 254 . 63

TEMP. RESISTANCE INVBRSI

DEG. C RAT ICi DXFF.

5(') 1 . 197846 254.63

51 1 , 201 772 254.71

52 1 . 205697 254 . 79

53 1 . 209621 254.86

54- 1.21 3543 254 , 94

55 1 ,,217464 255. 02

56 1.221 334 255. 10

57 1 . 225303 255. IS

58 1 . 229221 255.26

::i9 1 . 233137 255.33

60 1 . 237053 255.41

61 1 - 240967 255. 49

62 1 . 2443'3C' 255.57

6'-3 1 . 248791 255. 65

6 A J . 252702 255. 73

6'5 ;i ,. 2566 3 :i 255.30

66 1 . 2605 1

9

255. 38

67 1 . 26442e. 255. 96

63 1 . 26333] 256 . 04

69 1 70 1 . 276139 256, 20

7 1 1 . 280041 256

.

27

7 1 . 283942 256. 35

73 1 , 237342 256. 43

74 1 . 291740 256. 51

75 1 . 295637 256. 59

76 1 . 299534 256. 67

77 1 . 303423 256.75

78 1 . 307322 256.32

79 1 . 3 1 1215 256. 90

8'j 1 . 3 151 06 256.98

;3

1

1 . 313996 257. 06

3' -' 1 . 322885 257. 14

33 1 . 326773 257. 22

34 1. ,. 33C)659 257 . 30

:35 1 . 334545 :'5 7 . 38

1 . 338429 257. 46

37 1 „ 342312 257.. 53

1 . 346 1 94 257.61

39 :l . 350074 257 . 69

90 1 ,. 353954 257. 77

91 1 „ 357832 257. 35

9 2 1 . 361709 257. 93

93 1 . 365585 258 . 0

1

94- 1 - 369-1-59 253 .. 09

95 1 . 373333 253. 17

'9 1 ,. 377205 258 . 25

97 1 , 381076 253 . 32

9'8 1 . 334 946 253 . 40

99 1 . :-!88S15 253.48

1 00 1 , 392682 258. 56

353
IF'T3 68 TA!;;;i...E for resis"rANC:E THE 1441METER 19904:;:'l

•e::mf'' , F%ESIS1ANC:E INVERSE TEMP. RES I ST ANCE I NVERS^

lEG n C RATIO D IEF„ FjFlG ,. 1." RATIO D IF'E.

100 150 1 „ 584 553

1 0

1

1 „ ;396549 1 !5

1

1 „ '5383<:S1 O^'o"

102 1 . 400414 258 „ 72 152 1 . 592167 .. 73

1 03 1 . 404278 258 „ SO 1 15:::: 1 „ 595'i:>72 2':-.2 „ 8

1

104 1 . 408 1 41 -1 1:;;' , "i i-i ."i

.•.-l _.i<;' s

1 r.::- ,". J, "I- 1 „ 599 776

1 015 1 .412002 258 » 96 1 55 1 . 603579

106 1 ,.415863 259 . 04 156 1 . 607380 263,. 05

1 07 1 . 419722 259 .. 12 1 57 1.61 1 181 263. 13

108 1 „ 423580 259, 20 158 1 . 61 4980 263. 21

1 09 1 „ 427437 --.1 irj- ("_! •"/O 1

5':;> 1 „ 618778 26:3 . 29

1 1

0

r, 431293 •"ij:::" r-i "'i .

* 1 60 1 . 622575 y "if:;

1 1

1

1 „ 435147 259 n 44 1 6

1

1 . 626370

112 1 . 439000 -.t-j , ^j'"'.' 162 1 „ 630165

1 13 1 , ^1-42853 259 . 60 1 63 •| 9|-;o

1 1 4- 1 . 446704 2 0 3 1 /-vA 1 „ 637'7!i::iCi 2 ;;•: :3 „ 7 0

1 15 1 „ 450553 1 65 1 , 641541 26:3 . 7 c!

1 ]. 6 1 , 45^402 cr.r-i 166 1 . 645331

1 17 1 . 458249 1 67 1 . 649120 263.94

1 1

1 1

9

1 „ 462096

1 . 465941

259.99

260 . 07

168

1 69 1 . 656694

264 . 03

264. 1

1

120

1 2

1

1 . 469735

1 , 473627

260,, 15

260 „ 23

170

1 7 :l.

1 „ 660479

1 „ ^:./:.4263

264. 19

264.27

122 1 . 477469 260. 3

1

172 1 ,. 668Ci46 264 ,. 35

1 . 481309 173 1 . 67 1827 264.43

124 1 „ 485 1 48 260. 47 174 1 . 675^.08

1 25 1 „ 488986 260 „ 55 1 75 1 . 679387 264 „ 60

126

127

1 . 492823

1 „ 496659

260

„

63

260. 71

176

1 77

1 . 68:::; 165

1 . 6Sc:.942

264,, 63

128 1 „ 50^)493 260 . 79 178 1 . 6907 1

8

264.84

129 1 . 504326 260 n 87 179 1 . 694493 264. 93

130 1 , 508158 26Cj , 95 18Cj 1 . t:.98266 265. 0

1

1 3 1 1 „ 51 1 989 261 „ 03 181 1 „ 702039 265

.

09

132 1 . 515819 261 , 1

1

182 1 „ 705810 265. 17

1 „ 519648 261 „ 20 1 S3 1 „ 70 •:>580 265. 25

1 34

1 35;i

1 „ 523475

1 „ 527301

261 . 23

261 „ 36

1 84

1 iE:5

1 .71334 9

1 . 7 :!. 7 1 :l. 6

265. 34

1 36 1. 531 126 261 „ 44 1 n 720883 265 . 50

1 37 1 . 534950 261 „ 52 187 1 . 724648 265 „ 58

138 1 „ 538773 261 . 60 1 g 1 . 72841

2

265. 66

1 39 1 , 542594 261 . 68 1 89 1 . 7321 75 265. 75

140 1 . 546415 261 . 76 1 90 1 .735937 265. 83

141 1 , 550234 261 . 84 191 1 . 739698 265.91

142 1 n 554052 261 .92 192 1 ,. 743457 265. 99

143 1 „ ::i57869 262 , 00 :l, 93 1 . 747215 266 „ OF;

1 44 1 . 561 68^- 2c:'2 . ^^8! 1 94 1 . 75097:3 266. 16

1 45 1 . 565499 262 1 i 6 1 95 1 . 7:54729 266 . 24

146

1 47

1 . 569312

1 „ 573124

262 . 24 1 9 6

1 97

1 . 7:::i8483

1 „ 762237

266. :32

266. 41

143 1 . 576935 262 „ 4Cj 198 1 . 765990 266.49

149 1 „ 580745 262. 48 1 99 1 „ 769741 2<b'':' . Ifii / 150 1 . 584553 262, 56 200 1 . 773491 266 . 65

354
IF'TS' "ABLE FOR RESISTANCE rHERMuMETER 1990421

T'EMP . DEG„ I

'. 200

20

1

202

20-3

204

205

20 6

207

20!:::;

2 1 0

211

212

2 1

;

21-! 2 1 ::i 2 1 <S 217

2 IS

219

220

231

240

241

242

24S

249

v!~;o

RESISTANC:!;;:

RATIO

1 „ 773491

1 „ 777240

1 „ 7S09SS

1 , 784735

1 „ 7SS480

1 , 792224

1 „ 79!::. 963

1 . 799710

1 . 303451

1 „ 307190

1 , 310929

1 „ 31 46/^6

1 . 313402

1 „ 322137

1 . 325371

1 „ 329604-

1 „ ;333335

1 „ 337066

1 „ 340795

1 . 344523

1 . 343250

1 „ 351976

1 . 9:557 CiO

1 » 363146

1 „ 366367

1 . 370537

1 „ 374306

1 „ 373023

1 „ 331740

1 „ ;3&:5455

1 „ :;:;39

1

69

1 „ 392332

1 „ G;96594

1 . 900305

1 904014

1 . 907722

1 ,. 91 1430

1 „ 915136

1 „ 913340

1 . 922544

1 . 926247

1 „ 929943

1 „ ::>33643 .

1 „ 937347

1 .941045

1 „ 944742

I „ 943437

1 „ 952 1 32

1 „ 9:5!:.325

1 „ 959517

INVERSE

DI FF„

266 „ 65

266, 74

266 , 32

266 „ 90

266 „ 99

267 „ 07

267,, 15

267 „ 24

267, 32

267 „ 40

267 „ 43

267 „ 65

"I "7 C; V

267 „ 90

2>'.'77 u

'':/ 9

263 „ 0 7 263. 15

40

49

l"l /

<-.5 74

2 6' J::! „ ''9

269. 07

269 . 5C'

269 „ 92

27C' . 00

270 . 09

270. 17

270. 26

270 u 34

,2 70 1, 43

270,, 51

27C) „ 60

270. 63

270., 77

270. 35

TEMF' „ DEG. C

250

251

254

255

256

25 /

OR;-!

261

264

.7u::.b '269

270

271

272

274

23

1

294

RES I STANCE

RATIO

1 „ 959517

1 , 96320S

1

.

966&9&

X . 970586

1 , 974274

1 . 977960

1 „ 931645

1 . 9315329

1 . 939012

1

299

30(1)

':;-'92.69'3

1 „ 996374-

2 „ 000053

2 . 003731

2 . 007 4 OS; 2 „ 0 1 1 0G:4

2.014759

2. 018432

2„ 022105

2. 025776

2. 029446

2, 0331 15

2 . 036782

2 „ Cj4C>4-4 9

2. 0441 14

2. 047773

2, 051442

2. 055 103

2. 053764

2. 062424

2 „ 066032

2„ 069739

2 . 073396.

2 „ 077050

2 „ 030704

2. 034357

2 . 033003

2„ 091659

2 „ 095308

2 . (1)93956

2. 102603

2. 106243

2., 109393

2,11 31::.:36 2. 1 17178

2. 120319

2- 124459

2, 131736

2„ 135372

2. 139007

2„ 142641

INVERSE

DIFF„

270. S5

270. 94

27 1 . 02

27 1 . 1 1 27

1

271

27

1

271

27 1 . 53

27 1 . 62

19

36

45

271

271

271

271

272 . 0

71

79

13

31

2 / 2

, 272.

272,

272. 74

272 » 32

272. 91

273. 00

273. OS

273. 17

273,34

273. 43

273,5

1

60

69

27

27

-•.••7

274,, 04

274, 12

274.21

274. 30

274.39

274. 47

\ 274.56

274, 65

274. 74

274. 32

274.91

275. 00

275. 09

275. 17

355
1:F-'TS 6S TABL.E F-CiR RESlS"rANCE fhlERMOME

TEMF'' DEG„ i

;•;(')()

li )'7

:!09

1 0

:i, :i.

:; ]. 2

1 ;3

! 1 ^'i1 1 &

-'(.)

".'"'I

324

30

31

•-1 --i

..;> .,"1 ..J

340

341

342

344

345

347

349

:-!50

RES I S rANC:E:

RAT 10

2, 142641

2„ 146274

2, 149906

2, 157166

2„ 160794

2. 164421

2„ 163047

2. 171672

2„ 175296

2„ 178918

2„ 182539

2. 136160

2„ 139779

2„ 197013

2 = 200629

2. 204243

2„ 207356

2„ 21 1 463

2,. 215079

2 n 213639

2 „ 225905

2. 22951

1

2„ 233 1 16

2 n 236720

2„ 240322

2 „ 247524

2.251 124

2, 253319

2 „ 261914

2. 265509

2, 2691 02

2. 272695

2 . 276236

2,. 279376

2 „ 233465

2. 237052

2 . 290639

2 „ 294224

2. 297303

2. 301391

2, 304973

2,. 303554

2„ 3121 33

2. 31571

1

INVF-RSE

DIEE..

275,, 17

TEMP,

DEG, i:

2 / .J

,

'/(')

05

1 4-

2 /6 „ 32

276,, 41

276 n 50

d / / „ 27 7,

2 7 / n

94

C)3

12

21

30

43

/ /

2 / 3

,

02

1

1

20

47

d^ / . o::j 273. 74

279, 01

279. 10

279 „ 19

279 „ 46

279. 55

279. 64

360

363

374

3' / 376

37 7

63t.)

331

3'yO

394

397

A'OO

RESISTANCE

RATIO

2 „ 322365

2. 326439

2. 330013

.-, .t -i- -ir„"r-i .-•

•,7," n 0 "'' ~»-...IC»'."' 2„ 337157

2. 340727

2 „ 344296

2., 347364

2. 351431

2,. 353561

2. 362124

2 . 365636

2, 369247

2 . 372306

2 . 37' 992

2

2 . 337033

2 „ 390537

2. 394140

2. 401242

2. 404791

2 . 403339

2. 41 1336

2. 415432

2. 413976

2. 422520

2. 426062

2 ,. 429603

2, 433143

2. 436631

2. 440219

2. 443755

2. 447291

2, 450325

2. 454357

2, 457339

2. 461420

2. 464949

2, 463477

2. 472004

2 - 475530

2n 479055

2. 4S257S

2. 436101

2. 493142

2. 496661

2' . 5Ch;) 1 73

•!. V

"i Ci

INVERSE

D 1 EE.

279 , 64

279. 73

279. 82

279. 92

280 , 0

1

280. 10

280. 19

280. 23

28Cj. 3 7

280 . 46

280. 56

280. 65

280. 74

230. 83

280. 92

2E: 1 . 0

1

2E: 1 , 1

1

28

1

281

28 1 . 38

281 . 48

281 . 57

281 . 66

281 . 75

28 1 . 35

281 .94

282

.

03

282 . 1

2

282. 40

282. 50

-I i-i -1 .-1 C' n

"'

282. 78

283. 06

283. 15

283.24

283.34

283.43

283. 53

283. 71

283.81

283. 90

2E:4. 00

284 . C)9

284 . 1

8

284.28

356
j: f TS 63 TAEI, F FOR RES IS"rANC;l:v (MCiME'l ER 1.990^21.

T EMP „ DEG- C '100

401

1-02

403

404

405

406

^107

40S:

^!-09

i). 1 0

^1- :l. :! 412

4 1 3

4 i A

4-

1

S

4 3. 6

4 1

7

-t- 1 e

4-

1

9

4 2(:) 421

422

423

424

425

427

42 S

429

430

431

432

434

*"! -Z- 437

433

440

4 41

4 42

443

444

445

446

447

448

449

I S T' ONCE

AT ID

00 1 73

03695

072 1

0

1 0724

3 42 :/

1 7749

21260

24 769

31 7G:5

35291

•'"t i""t t::;- .."> C' / -...t 42299

4':.;::0 1 49303

' rr.'o 1 5. .':0,-'

5'"'l-!l 1' '

• 7 7 0236

' ' c' / 3 30761

3 1

'1 2;".

.

01631

051 63

0S<;.45

12125

19032

••.i.:.i:::->-i

,;;,,:..,.,[ V"; 26(J34

29:503

' "• 4

46861

50329

"-5

j^. . ....^ ....^

. i / . I : 60723

64135

.^'..4"'' 71 107

I NV[:;RSE

U II I- „ 1^ .21"-;

4. 47

4 „

4- . 66

4 . 75

4 . .

T ,2 -I

„ 04-

6 .1.

SC)

. W6

II 9<':' 7 „ 05

/ „ r

.

' 27 ^1 \< 4

1

'I

< „ 3 1,

; I, " 1 ,11

4/n

471

474

475

476

479

480

481

432

434

435

487

4e:3

490

4-9

1

492

493

494

495

496

497

498

499

5rj0

rEiiP„ S I STANCE INVERS

DEG „ C: RATIO n i FF

.

45'j 674566 289- 1

1

451 6 78024 289 ., 2

1

452 631 4S(') 289 , 3'j

453 ~/ 684935 289. 40

454 7/ 688390 289 . 50

455 0 .S91843 28'? .. 60

4..JO 2 n 2„

-•• i~i t':: •"*! c:;' e.98745

2'~' "- . /',' 289 „ £!C) 45:^ 7021 95 289. 90

4' 59

460

461

705643

7 (J 9090

7 ;l 253'-i

2'?0 . C)0

290,, 10

290 ,. 20

4-62 'j 71593

1

290 . 5C)

463

464

'j

~J 719424

722867

290. 40

290, 50

465 726308 290 . 60

466 729748 2'90. 70

467 / • ."• 1 / 2'70 . 8C'

468 "j 736624 2'70 . '70

2. 740061

2 27434 96

2 . 746'73r)

2 2750363

2.-757225

2. 760655

2 n 767510

2 , 7 '70 '7 36

2 „ 7"? '7 7 84

2 « 78 1 206

2 „ 734627

2., 788047

2 1, 791465

2„ 794883

2 „ 8017 14

2. 808541

2,31 1952

2 TM 8 ] 87 /2

2„ 322180

2 „ 825587

2 , 3

3'7202

2 ,. 346002

291,00

;:9 1 . 1 0

29 1, 20

291 . 40

S9 1 . 50

291 „ 60

;::9i , 70

'-'Si' 1 ., '7'0 292 « OC)

792, 1

1

792-31

292. 41

792.51

12

293,. 34

293.. 94

294 „ 05

294= 15

357
F^ESIS'

E EOF^; f:esisi"aN!:

I NVEF^SE

THERMOMETER 1.9904 21

•EMR. RESISTANi::E i:i\Pv'FF>SE

EG.C RAT 1

0

D IFE„ IT EG „ C RAno IT I

!• F . 500 2 r 84-60 2 '4 „ 1

5

550 3„ 014456 299 „ 44

50

1

2= 849401 294 „ 25 551 3„ 017794

502 2„ 852793 294. 36 552 3:, 021 132

503 2., 856194 -'"-1. 4<. 3 „ 024468 7:!';;-'"7 504 2, 359589 294 „ 56 -..,1 '•! 3 „ Cj2 7i3( '2 „ / 505 .1 1::!6 Ill Iv: 294 „ 67 55!5 3„ 031 136 "j '".',! Cl

^

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556

;;::i:S7 3. 0344 68 3Ch7 „ OS' 300 „ 20

50S 2. 873156 2' '^1 „ '-'"3 558 3 ,. C)4 j, 1 30 300.3

1

509 2. 876545 2'7 5 „ 08 •"' 3 2744458 300. 41

^1 1

0

29!;::i „ i 9 56(T 3,. 047736 300 „ 52

1 1 2„ 8833 1

9

,:'-'5„ . '

'

3; , 05 1 1 1

2

300

.

63

512 2, ;23t.704 295 ,, 4(15 3=, 0544 37 300. 74

::i 1 3 27:5 „

in:' .• 3 „ 05776

1

300 275

5 1 4 2=393471 29^5 „ 6 ;l. 5 '•,4 -2. 061 034 3C'C)., 96

!r; 1

•-1 "i i ". .•• i "i r~ •'i

1, C' y >,."' • 2 , 90t!i234295 „ 71

295 „ 8

1

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:5 1

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2-„ 903(:. 1

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••1 1^"; c:r 3„ 07 1045 3iO 1 „ 29

519

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2„ 910368

296 ,: (J

2

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3 „ 0 7 7 3. 7 '9 30 1 . 40:30 i ,. 1 2. 913744 2'7 3- ,. 27i 570 3 , Cj!::iC)'794 30 1 , 7,2

I::i2

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2-9171 1 3; 29(-. „ :::4 ::17

1

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~'

\ 'j 'j 2-92049] 2'''....>14 572 3„ 087621 3C) 1 „ 84

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~l 'j fs. 2„ '727:23T 2 '7 3' » 6<:>

lt: " /I 3 „ 094244 3C)2 „ 07

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.V.'. • 2 , ':;''303'C5 4 2'7 'S K 7 iS 575 3 n 0'7 7::i53 302. 18

"i

"*.' C,' '"i' O 2'7 6 u 87 576 3 ,. 10C)861 3 '02 , 29

527 2. 937340 ,•:"::''"> » / •_i / / 3„ 104168 302. 40

5 2''3 ; . 9407OA 297 „ 08

. '-'V. 1 '3

c:' , < 3., 107474

3„ 1 107 78

302„51

302 . 62

53(':i 2 . 94-74 35 "/ 'j '~' 53!0 3 1 14(781 302 . 73

r_" ! 2 . '750 797 „ 4r 581 3. 1 1 7383 302.84

532 2 , 954- 1 58 297 w 50 ""i ;•*•' V 3,. 120684 302

.

96

2 2757519 " r „ .-. t 3 „ 1 23'784 303 .. 07

534- 2. 960877 '-•""•' / „ 1

'<' 584 -; 1 'j'7 0pS' 303. 18

2 2764235

2, 967592

••-,-7 »~, C' '"'[

"l y.':- 3„ 1305793» 133:375

303 . 2 '7 303.. 40

2 '770947 2'7 8 . 04 3. 137170 303 . ::;i2

-.1 O 2„ 974301 298,, 14 C' 0 3„ 140464 3C'3 ,. 63

i:;:" • "i i-i •.J T'' 2 2777654 ^.::9:3 , .-•'5 C"" t"'r l""> 3n 143756 303. 74

540 2- '781 006 5 V'-J 3„ J 47047

54

1

2, 98 4356 298. 47 59

1

3„ 150337 303 „ 97

542 2, '987705 2'.'' '":'

1: ' / 592 3. 153625 3(74 . 03

543 2 279 1 053 2'7o ., i~''c.'' ^~^ 3. 156913 304. 19

544 2, 994400 Ir''•]''[, "7'"' 594 3„ 160199 304. 31

545 298 „ '70 3. 163484 304. 42

54 3„ 0010'70

3 „ 004 434

2 '7 '7 , 00

2' ! 1 596

/

3,. 166767

3 . 1 70050

304 . 53

304., 65

543 3, 007776 r-; C/ C* 3„ 173331 304, 76

549 3 . 0 1 1 1

1

6 599 3„ 17661

1

304 237

55C) 3„ 014456 299,44 oOC) 3, 179890 3?") 4 „ 99

358
IF'TS AS TABLE FOR RESISTANCE TI-tERMOMETER 1 990A 7!. i

T'EMF'

.

RES I STANCE INVE:F';Si PA I" T fl ij .1. ( F i< &00 .-,

]. 79S90 304 „ 9

60

1

305 „ 1

0

60'2 136444 :30^;:. „ "' "' 603 1S97 19 305 ,. 60A- 1 92y93 305 . 44

605 1 96266 305 „ 606 199537 305. 67

607 p{')"';-;(") 7

60S 206076 3C)5 . 90

609 306

.

02

6 1

0

:> 21261

1

3(1)6 a 1 3

611 3

° 215876 306 „ c'! 6 1 P 1 1 jQ ('•)

.,"1

'7.1'PO 3l C) t"i

._, 3r)i'''i „

^-j '"J

(S 1

5

3C>6

.

7

'\

— " J

'-[':'

-..^ J.1 k4n O 1 /

•j

/| .'.iO>6 11 ."'4 O 1 207 a

... n 0 / n .L , 620 2452C)9 307

.

.-,

)u.. r r "7

'[ 1 6 '-'

.-,

.iT.. J. / J. .'-;(') 7 „ 52

6'2 3

3° 254964 307

.

64

3 2582 1

3

307 . "7 O

'^~',(')"/ 626 2647 OS 3 '07' > 99

627 267954 •3 OS 1 1 628 271 1 98 3(JS „ 629 274441 308 „ 34

63C) ;2/76S3 308 „ 46

631 2S0924

TEMP. RESISTANCE INVERSE

DEG.C RAI ID DIFF.

359
NBS-n4A (REV. 2.60) U.S. DEPT. OF COMM.

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA

SHEET (See instructions)

1. PUBLICATION OR

REPORT NO.

NBS/SP-250/22

2. Performing Organ. Report N04 3. Publication Date October 1987

4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE

NBS Measurement Services

:

Platinum Resistance Theirmometer Calibrations

5. AUTHOR(S)

B.W. Mangum

6. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION (If joint or other than NBS, see instructions)

NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

GAITHERSBURG, MD 20899

7. Contract/Grant No.

8. Type of Report & Period Covered

Final

9. SPONSORING ORGANIZATION NAME AND COMPLETE ADDRESS (Street. City. State. ZIP)

Same as item 6.

10. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 87-619875

I I Document describes a computer program; SF-185, FlPS Software Summary, is attached.

li. ABSTRACT (A 200'Word or less factual sumn)ary of most significant information. If document includes a significant

bibliography or literature survey, mention it here)

This document describes in detail the instruments and the measurement methods

used in the realization and transfer of the International Practical Temperature

Scale of 1968, Amended Edition of 1975 IIPTS-68(75)] , as maintained at the NBS in

the region from 13.81 K to 903.89 K. This is the region in which the platinum

resistance thermometer, meeting certain specifications, is the standard instrument

for interpolating between the defining fixed points of the scale at which it is

calibrated. An analysis of the sources of error encountered in calibration and

estimates of uncertainty and its propagation are presented.

12. KEY WORDS (Six to twelve entries; alphabetical order; capitalize only proper names; and separate key words by semicolons)

calibration; platinum resistance thermometer; PRT; SPRT;

standards laboratory; temperature fixed points; thermometry

13. AVAILABILITY

|y 1 Unlimited

I I For Official Distribution. Do Not Release to NTIS

Pn Order From Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.

20402.

Order From National Technical Information Service (NTIS), Springfield, VA. 22161

14. NO. OF

PRINTED PAGES

364

15. Price

J? U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE;1987-181-100 / 72460 USCOMM-DC «043-P80
PUBLICATIONS IN THE SP 250 SERIES FROM THE CENTER FOR RADIATION RESEARCH

NBS Measurement Services:

Spectral Radiance Calibrations

J.H. Walker, R.O. Saunders, and A,T. Hattenburg

NBS Measurement Services:

Far Ultraviolet Detector Standards

L.R. Canfield and N. Swanson

NBS Measurement Services:

Radiometric Standards in the Vacuun Ultraviolet

O.Z. Klose and J.M. Bridges

NBS Measurement Services:

Irradiation of Ferrous-Ferric Dosimeters

(Fricke- Dosimetry)

M. Ehrlich

NBS Measurement Services:

Alpha-Particle Calibrations

J.M.R. Hutchinson

NBS Measurement Services:

Regular Spectral Transmittance

K.L. Eckerle, J.J. Hsia, K.D. Mielenz,

and V.R. Weidner

NBS Measurement Services:

Radiance Temperature Calibrations

W.R. Waters, J.H. Walker, and A.T. Hattenburg

NBS Measurement Services:

Spectral Reflectance

V.R. Weidner and J.J. Hsia

NBS Measurement Services:

Calibration of Beta-Particle-Emitting

Ophthalmic Applicators

J.S. Pruitt

250-10 NBS Measurement Services:

Radioactivity Calibrations with the "4ir" Gamma Ionization Chamber, and Other

Radioactivity Calibration Capabilities

J.M. Calhoun

NBS Measurement Services:

Dosimetry for High-Dose Applications

J.C. Humohreys, D. Hocken, and W.L. McLaughlin

SP 250-12 NBS Measurement Services:

Neutron Personnel Dosimetry

R.B. Schwartz

SP 250-13 NBS Measurement Services:

Activation Foil Irradiation

with Cal iforniixn Fission Sources

G.P. Lamaze and J. A. Grundl

SP 250-14 NBS Measurement Services:

Activation Foil Irradiation by Reactor

Cavity Fission Sources

G.P. Lamaze and J. A. Grundl

SP 250-15 NBS Measurement Services:

Photometric Calibrations

R.L. Booker and D.A. McSparron

SP 250-16 NBS Measurement Services:

Calibration of X-Ray and Gamma-Ray

Measuring Instrunents

P.J. Lamperti, T.P. Loftus, and R. Loevinger

SP 250-17 NBS Measurement Services:

The NBS Photodetector Spectral Response

Calibration Transfer Program

E.F. Zalewski

SP 250-18 NBS Measurement Services:

Neutron Source Strength Calibrations

E.D. McGarry and E.W. Boswell

SP 250-19 NBS Measurement Services:

Calibration of Gamma-Ray-Emitting

Brachytherapy Sources

J.T. Weaver, T.P. Loftus, and R. Loevinger

SP 250-20 NBS Measurement Services:

Spectral Irradiance Calibrations

J.H. Walker, R.D. Saunders, J.K. Jackson,

and D.A. McSparron

SP 250-21 NBS Mtasurement Services:

Clllbration of Beta-Particle

RidJition Instrunentation

M. Ihrllch, J.S. Pruitt, and C.G. Scares
U.S. Department of Commerce

National Bureau of Standards

Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Official Business

Penalty for Private Use $300