AccuMac AM1950 User manual

Rev. 201609V3
AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum
Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Please download the latest version at www.accumac.com

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 1/10
Table of Contents
Before you start ---- Warnings & Cautions ........................................................................ 2
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................ 3
1.1 Main Application ................................................................................................ 3
1.2 Main Features ..................................................................................................... 3
1.3 Calibrations ......................................................................................................... 3
2 Specifications .............................................................................................................. 4
2.1 Specifications ...................................................................................................... 4
3 General Operations .................................................................................................... 5
3.1 Connecting to the readout device ........................................................................ 5
3.2 Drive Current ...................................................................................................... 5
3.3 Stability of Readings ........................................................................................... 5
3.4 Immersion Requirements .................................................................................... 5
3.5 Thermal EMF ...................................................................................................... 6
3.6 Over heating ........................................................................................................ 6
4 Care and Handling Guidelines ................................................................................... 7
5 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................... 8
5.1 Troubleshooting .................................................................................................. 8
5.2 Problem Causes and Solutions ............................................................................ 8
6 Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability ............................................................... 9

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 2/10
Before you start ---- Warnings & Cautions
 Warnings: Follow these guidelines to avoid personal injury:
1. Only use this instrument in the manufacture specified
temperature range.
2. The handle of this instrument can become hot when it is used
to measure high temperatures for extended periods of time.
3. DO NOT submerge SPRT handle when taking measurement.
4. DO NOT use this instrument to measure the temperature of
any hazardous live component.
5. Follow all other safety guidelines listed in this user’s guide.
 Cautions: Follow these guidelines to avoid possible damage to
the instrument:
1. Avoid mechanical shocks. DO NOT drop or slam the probe in
any way. This will cause damage to the probe internally and
affect its calibration and accuracy.
2. Read Section entitled “Care and Handling Guidelines” before
removing the SPRT from the shipping box. Incorrect handling
can damage the SPRT and void the warranty.
3. Keep the shipping container in case it is necessary to ship the
PRT. Incorrect packaging of the SPRT for shipment can cause
irreparable damage.
4. Calibration equipment should only be used by trained
personnel.

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 3/10
1 Introduction
1.1 Main Application
AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer (SPRT)
are interpolating instrument converting temperature to resistance. It
works together with readout device to measure temperature or change
of temperature. They are used as primary standards or reference
standards by temperature calibration labs at various levels.
1.2 Main Features
 Extreme low drift rate
 Quartz sheathed
 Great primary or secondary reference standards
1.3 Calibrations
As a temperature standard, each AM1960/AM1950 SPRT must be
calibrated. It is highly recommended that the calibration is traceable to
a recognized national standards laboratory.
Manufacturer recommends calibration interval to be one year. In
between annual calibrations, user should check the drift rate
periodically by comparing the Rtpw value against the last calibration
results. Refer to specifications section for normal drift rate.

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 4/10
2 Specifications
2.1 Specifications
Temperature Range 1950: -200 °C to 500 °C
1960: -200 °C to 670 °C
R
tpw
Nominal 25 Ω
Resistance Ratio W(Ga) >= 1.11807
W(Hg) <= 0.844235
Drift at 0.01 °C* 1950 <0.002 °C after 100 hours at 500 °C,
<0.004 °C/year typical
1960 <0.003 °C after 100 hours at 661 °C,
<0.005 °C/year typical
Repeatability ±0.001 °C
Thermal Shock ±0.001 °C after 10 times thermal cycles from minimum to
maximum temperatures
Self-heating 0.0015 °C at 1 mA current
Measurement Current 1 mA
Sensor Length 42 mm
Insulation Resistance >1000 MΩ at room temperature
Sheath Material Quartz
Dimension 1950: 7 mm (OD) X 480 mm (L)
1960: 7 mm (OD) X 500 mm (L)
External Leads Insulated copper wire, 4 leads, 2.5 meters
Termination Gold-plated Spade
Handle Dimension 21 mm (OD) X 80 mm (L)
Optional Calibration NVLAP/ISO17025 accredited calibration and data available
per request
*Long-term drift rate is for reference only. It could be affected by such facts as handling, application, and maintenance, etc.

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 5/10
3 General Operations
3.1 Connecting to the readout device
The AM1960/1950 is equipped with a four-wire cable (see Figure 1).
Four lead wires are used to cancel lead wire resistance. For best
results, the readout device should be equipped to handle four-terminal
resistors. The lead wires can be distinguished by insulation colors.
Lead wire pairs attached to each end of the sensor are identified by
red/black and white/blue insulation.
3.2 Drive Current
AccuMac recommends 1mA as drive current to ensure the best
measurement.
3.3 Stability of Readings
To achieve the best accuracy, allow sufficient time for SPRT to
stabilize before taking the readings.
3.4 Immersion Requirements
Stem effect can cause measurement errors due to heat lost or gained
by the sensing element through the thermometer stem. To minimize
the error, appropriate immersion depths are required. A practical way
to determine the minimum immersion depths is to change the depth
Figure1
Black Yellow
White Red

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 6/10
gradually until the readings have significant changes after
stabilization.
Do not submerge SPRT handle when taking measurement.
3.5 Thermal EMF
Each AccuMac SPRT has gone through an annealing process and
stability test to minimize the thermal EMF, which is caused by either
impurities of sensing element or temperature differentials at lead wires
connection point.
3.6 Over Heating
The sensing element this SPRT is sealed inside a quartz sheath to
ensure the best stability and repeatability. The seal can be breached if
the SPRT is over heated for an extended period of time.

AM1960/1950 Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometer User’s Guide
Rev. 201609V3 7/10
4 Care and Handling Guidelines
1. DO NOT subject the SPRT to any physical shocks and
vibrations.
a. When not using the SPRT, keep it in a place that’s not
prone to drop, slam, bang, vibration or other strong
physical contacts. Use a protective box or a carrying case
whenever possible.
b. When shipping the SPRT, use protective box and other
protective packaging materials to minimize mechanical
shocks as much as possible.
c. When using dry blocks, make sure the well diameter is
appropriate to allow the SPRT move up and down
smoothly.
2. DO NOT subject the SPRT to any contaminations.
a. Keep the SPRT as clean as possible. Avoid contaminations
as much as possible.
3. DO NOT over heat.
a. Do not use SPRT above the manufacture specified
temperature range.
b. Do not expose the SPRT handle and lead wires to extreme
temperatures.

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5 Troubleshooting
5.1 Troubleshooting
If the SPRT functions abnormally, it could be caused by several
possible problem conditions that are described in this section. Try the
solutions recommended and if the problems are still not solved,
contact manufacture for warranty or repair service. Be sure to have the
model number and serial number of your SPRT available.
5.2 Problem Causes and Solutions
a. R0/Rtpw becomes higher significantly. This is likely caused by
mechanical shocks. The SPRT should be annealed to release the
stress of platinum wires and to recover R0/Rtpw value. Measure
R0/Rtpw of the SPRT after annealing to verify.
b. R0/Rtpw unstable during the measurement. This is likely caused
either by bad connections or sensor coils short. Check the
connections first and if the connections are good, the SPRT may
be damaged.

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6 Limited Warranty & Limitation of Liability
Each product from AccuMac Corporation is warranted to be free from
defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service.
The warranty period is 1 year for the Platinum Resistance
Thermometer. The warranty period begins on the date of the shipment.
Parts, product repairs, and services are warranted for 90 days. The
warranty extends only to the original buyer or end-user customer of an
AccuMac authorized reseller. The warranty will not extended to
products that have been misused, altered, neglected, or damaged by
accident or abnormal conditions of operation or handling.
To obtain warranty service, contact AccuMac Corporation at:
90 N William Dillard Drive C-107
Gilbert, AZ 85233
USA
Tel: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]