The Importance of Temperature Measurement in Industry
The ability to monitor and regulate the temperature in specific environments plays a critical role in just about every industry across the globe. It allows us to ship perishable products all over the world without spoilage and maintain high productivity levels by keeping our data centers and high-value equipment cool. But it’s also essential in industrial applications like drilling and mining, energy generation and distribution, and in keeping HVAC systems and boiler units functioning safely. There’s a lot on the line when it comes to temperature measurement and control, and having the right tools makes all the difference.
The Advantages of Digital Temperature Probes
Digital temperature probes, also known as digital probe thermometers or thermal probes, measure temperature through a stainless steel probe that contains sensitive resistors. They can generate reliable readings across a wide range of temperatures, so they’re a great option for general temperature monitoring where live reading and logging is required, or for temperature and pressure logging during hydrostatic and leak testing. A practical alternative to
glass temperature probes, there are three major benefits to choosing a digital probe thermometer over their traditional glass counterparts.
- Speed. In general, digital probe thermometers provide instant results on the spot. Many provide real-time feedback through USB - a huge advantage when you’re measuring temperature during tests for live data logging.
- Safety. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin which is a dangerous contaminant, and glass is extremely fragile, so the risks in using a traditional glass thermometer probe are high. Using an industrial probe thermometer completely eliminates the possibility of mercury contamination, not to mention the high cost involved in cleanup.
- Accuracy. When it comes to accuracy in temperature measurement, digital technology far outweighs its glass/mercury counterparts. Advancements in electronic conditioning and signal processing give digital probe thermometers ultra precise results, often 2 or even 3 orders of magnitude higher accuracy than traditional mercury thermometers.
One you’ve made the decision to invest in a digital probe thermometer, quality and performance assurance are essential. Ralston Instruments offers two exceptional options for temperature monitoring in industrial applications. Featuring rugged, stainless steel probes, both our LC10-TA and LC20-TA digital probe thermometers were designed to be portable and easy to use. And they offer USB connectivity, which allows you to log temperature and view live readings on your PC via USB using the included FieldLab software. This is a great option if you’re looking for real-time feedback and few digital temperature probes offer this feature.
In the end, whether you decide to go with a Ralston digital probe thermometer or something similar, it just might be time to ditch your old glass temperature probe and enjoy the speed, safety and accuracy of digital.
