Fluke 5020A - Manual (Page 35)

General Operation
Unit of Temperature
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Unit of Temperature
The thermo-hygrometer is capable of displaying temperature in Celsius (C) or Fahrenheit
(F). The unit of temperature applies to temperature measurements on either channel that
are displayed, recorded, or printed. Recorded data is viewed, printed, or written to a data
card file with the currently set unit of temperature. The unit of temperature is set using
the DISPLAY SETTING function in the DISPLAY menu (see Display Setting) or the
SYSTEM SETTING function in the SYSTEM menu (see System Setting).
Recording Measurements
The thermo-hygrometer will automatically record measurements on enabled channels at
the set period. Recording is enabled using the RECORD SETTING function in the
DATA RECORD sub-menu in the DATA menu (see Record Setting). The record period
is also set with this function.
Sensors
The standard-accuracy sensor and high-accuracy sensor are used to measure temperature
and relative humidity. The sensors attach to the thermo-hygrometer by plugging into the
top or side panel of the instrument.
The sensor contains a memory device that stores information about the sensor and
automatically transfers this data to the thermo-hygrometer when the sensor is attached.
This ensures that the settings used to measure and calculate temperature and humidity
always match the sensor being used.
Caution
Sensors are fragile devices that can be easily damaged by
mechanical shock, overheating, and exposure to fluids or dust.
Damage may not be visibly apparent but nevertheless can
cause drift, instability, and loss of accuracy. Observe the
following precautions:
• DO NOT allow sensors to be dropped, struck, or
stressed.
• DO NOT overheat sensors beyond their recommended
temperature range.
• DO NOT expose sensors to harmful vapors, fumes, dust,
or condensation.
• DO NOT allow sensors to come into direct contact with
any fluids.
Sensor Accuracy
To achieve full accuracy with the thermo-hygrometer sensors, a few precautions should
be noted.
First, consider that the sensor actually measures its own temperature, not necessarily the
temperature of the air around it. Ideally, the sensor's temperature will be the same as the
air, but they might be different under less than ideal conditions.
One such condition is when there is a source of radiated heat that is "seen" by the sensor.
Radiated heat tends to heat up the sensor higher than the air around it (try shining a
flashlight on the sensor from some distance away). Some sources of radiated heat to
avoid are incandescent lamps, space heaters, and other high-temperature devices. If such