optris BR 400 User manual

Operator's Manual
optris®BR 400
Calibration source

Optris GmbH
Ferdinand-Buisson-Str. 14
13127 Berlin
Germany
Tel.: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Internet: www.optris.de

-Table of Contents 3-
Table of Contents
Table of Contents .............................................................................................................................................3
1General Information.................................................................................................................................6
1.1 Description ....................................................................................................................................... 6
1.2 Warranty........................................................................................................................................... 7
1.3 Scope of supply................................................................................................................................ 8
1.4 Maintenance..................................................................................................................................... 8
2Specification.............................................................................................................................................9
2.1 General Specification ....................................................................................................................... 9
2.2 Electrical Specification ..................................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Controller Specification (preset)....................................................................................................... 9
2.4 Measurement Specification............................................................................................................ 10
3Operation ................................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Installation ...................................................................................................................................... 11

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3.2 Control Elements............................................................................................................................ 11
3.3 Switch On....................................................................................................................................... 13
3.4 Setup of the Set Point Value.......................................................................................................... 13
3.5 Lock of Programming Keys............................................................................................................ 13
3.6 Advices for Operation..................................................................................................................... 14
4Circuit Diagram ......................................................................................................................................15
5Troubleshooting.....................................................................................................................................16
6Basics of Infrared Thermometry...........................................................................................................17
7Emissivity ...............................................................................................................................................18
7.1 Definition......................................................................................................................................... 18
7.2 Determination of unknown Emissivities.......................................................................................... 18
7.3 Characteristic Emissivities.............................................................................................................. 19
8Calibration of Infrared Thermometers [1] [2] ......................................................................................20
8.1 Transfer standard........................................................................................................................... 22

-Table of Contents 5-
8.2 ITS-90............................................................................................................................................. 23
8.3 Calibration Geometry ..................................................................................................................... 24
8.4 Calibration ...................................................................................................................................... 27
Appendix A –Declaration of Conformity .....................................................................................................29
Appendix B –Literature.................................................................................................................................30

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1 General Information
1.1 Description
Thank you for choosing the optris®BR 400 calibration source.
The BR 400 is a rugged calibration source and can be used for calibration and check up of infrared
thermometers. It contains of three main components:
Radiation surface
Heater
Temperature controller and Pt100 probe
The radiation surface is made of aluminium with a special thermal conductivity and V-shaped grooves.
The temperature of this surface is controlled by a Pt100.
The maximum deviation between the surface temperature and the temperature at the contact point of the
Pt100 is 0,1 % (Tmax=0,1 %).
All radiation surfaces are produced in a special black-finishing process, which guarantees a high quality and
high uniformity of the surface. A special coating realizes a high emissivity of the surface in the infrared
spectrum.
To avoid a damage of the special coating, please do not touch the radiation surface with
sharp or spiky objects.

-General Information 7-
On the top section of the black body you will find a hole. You can place a thermocouple probe here for an
external monitoring of the radiator temperature.
Read the manual carefully before the initial start-up. The producer reserves the right to change
the herein described specifications in case of technical advance of the product.
The optris® BR 400 is not suitable for continuous operation (max. 8-10 h/day).
Long-term operation at Tmax = 400 ° C is not recommended.
1.2 Warranty
Each single product passes through a quality process. Nevertheless, if failures occur please contact the
customer service at once. The warranty period covers 24 months starting on the delivery date. After the
warranty is expired the manufacturer guarantees additional 6 months warranty for all repaired or substituted
product components. Warranty does not apply to damages, which result from misuse or neglect. The
warranty also expires if you open the product. The manufacturer is not liable for consequential damage or in
case of a non-intended use of the product.
If a failure occurs during the warranty period the product will be replaced, calibrated or repaired without
further charges. The freight costs will be paid by the sender. The manufacturer reserves the right to
exchange components of the product instead of repairing it. If the failure results from misuse or neglect the
user has to pay for the repair. In that case you may ask for a cost estimate beforehand.

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1.3 Scope of supply
BR 400 calibration source
Operators manual
Test log (according DIN VDE 0702)
Calibration certificate
You will find the serial number on the unit. Always use this number when you contact the customer service
concerning maintenance, additional order of components, spare parts or repairs.
1.4 Maintenance
Cleaning the housing: To clean the exterior housing use a humid tissue (wetted with water or a mild
commercial cleaner).
Never use cleaning compounds which contain solvents.

-Specification 9-
2 Specification
2.1 General Specification
Ambient temperature:
0...50 °C (during operation)
Weight:
4,5 kg
Dimensions:
325 mm x 230 mm x 230 mm
2.2 Electrical Specification
Temperature sensor:
Pt100
Controller:
PID
Power supply:
230 V AC (± 10 %), 50 Hz
Power consumption:
max. 1000 W
2.3 Controller Specification (preset)
P = 1
I = 105
D = 26
The controller parameters are factory preset for an optimum of performance and safety operation
of the black body calibration source. Please do not change these values [EXPIRY OF WARRANTY].

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2.4 Measurement Specification
Temperature range:
TUmg+5 °C to 400 °C
Accuracy 1):
± 0,5 °C to 50 °C
± 1,0 °C to 100 °C
± 1,3 °C to 250 °C
± 2,0 °C to 400 °C
Temperature resolution:
0,1 °C
Aperture diameter:
128 mm
Emissivity:
0,97 ±0,02 at 8-14 µm
Warm-up time:
15 min. (from 25 °C to 100 °C)
40 min. (from 25 °C to 400 °C)
Cool-down time:
60 min. (from 100 °C to 50 °C)
90 min. (from 400 °C to 50 °C)
1) For IR thermometers with a spectral sensitivity of 8-14 µm and an emission factor between 0,9 and 1,0.
For an exactly determination of the radiation temperature of the calibration source we recommend the use of a reference
IR thermometer (e.g. optris LS DCI). ►8 Calibration of Infrared Thermometers [1] [2]

-Operation 11-
3 Operation
3.1 Installation
You can position the BR 400 on a laboratory bench or any other suitable flat and stable surface. Please take
care in any case that the BR 400 is positioned horizontal!
Connect the unit to the 230 V mains using the supplied cable.
3.2 Control Elements
Front panel of BR 400 with PID controller and red power lamp (left hand side of controller)

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PID-controller (front side)
1 Upper display (PV)
2 Lower display (SV)
3 LED for auto adjust
4 LED for lower alarm output
5 LED for upper alarm output
6 LED for heating
7 Function key
8 Down key
9 Up key
Back side
1 Power socket
2 Fuse 5 A
3 Main switch

-Operation 13-
3.3 Switch On
After the installation of the unit you can switch on the main switch [3] on the back side. The controller display
on the front will show the temperature set point [lower display –SV] and the current temperature of the
black body [upper display –PV]. The internal ventilator is working permanently during operation.
3.4 Setup of the Set Point Value
Please push the Up key [9] or Down key [8] to set up the desired temperature value.
After the desired set point is shown in the lower display, the BR 400 will start to heat up.
Dependent from the difference between current black body temperature and set point value this process can
take up to 40 minutes (from 25 °C to 400 °C).
3.5 Lock of Programming Keys
With this function you can lock the programming keys on the controller of the BR 400 to avoid a non
authorized change of parameters on the unit.
To lock the controller please press the Function key [7] for some seconds until LC is shown in the upper
display [1]. Then release the Function key and press the Up key or Down key to change the value in the
range of 0...2. The values have the following meaning:
0 All parameters can be changed
1 Only P, D, I and temperature set point can be changed
2 No change is possible

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3.6 Advices for Operation
For an exactly check or for a calibration of infrared thermometers it is necessary, that the used calibration
sources are in a steady state. For this reason please consider the specified warm-up time of the BR 400.
►2 Specification
Please take care of the optical beam of infrared thermometers (D:S ratio) and the calibration geometry
(distance to the black body) if you check or calibrate them. Contact the supplier of the thermometer to get
more detailed information if necessary.
►8 Calibration of Infrared Thermometers [1] [2]
It is possible that the housing of the BR 400, dependent from the selected temperature, can get warm
or hot. Do not put any materials or objects on the radiator housing! The ventilation outlet on the back
side as well as the radiation aperture on the front must not be covered by materials or objects!
Before you switch off the BR 400, please setup the set point to 0 °C. After the black body temperature is
below 200 °C [upper display –PV] you can turn off the main switch on the back side.

-Circuit Diagram 15-
4 Circuit Diagram

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5 Troubleshooting
Problem
Reason/ Action
No display after switch on
Check the mains connection
Check the fuse
Upper display: HH
Please contact the service
After switch on the upper display is showing: LL/
all LED are flashing
Mains voltage too low
Black body is not heating although properly setup
Set point value lower than current temperature
In case of problems or questions, which may arise when you use the optris®BR 400, please
contact our service department. The customer service staff will support you with questions
concerning the optimization of the work with the calibration source, calibration procedures or with
repairs.

-Basics of Infrared Thermometry 17-
6 Basics of Infrared Thermometry
Depending on the temperature each object emits a certain amount of infrared radiation. A change in the
temperature of the object is accompanied by a change in the intensity of the radiation. For the measurement
of “thermal radiation” infrared thermometry uses a wave-length ranging between 1 µm and 20 µm.
The intensity of the emitted radiation depends on the material. This material contingent constant is described
with the help of the emissivity which is a known value for most materials (►7 Emissivity).
Infrared thermometers are optoelectronic sensors. They calculate the surface temperature on the basis of
the emitted infrared radiation from an object. The most important feature of infrared thermometers is that
they enable the user to measure objects contactless. Consequently, these products help to measure the
temperature of inaccessible or moving objects without difficulties. Infrared thermometers basically consist of
the following components:
Lens
Spectral filter
Detector
Electronics (amplifier/ linearization/ signal processing)
The specifications of the lens decisively determine the optical path of the infrared thermometer, which is
characterized by the ratio Distance to Spot size.
The spectral filter selects the wavelength range, which is relevant for the temperature measurement. The
detector in cooperation with the processing electronics transforms the emitted infrared radiation into electrical
signals.

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7 Emissivity
7.1 Definition
The intensity of infrared radiation, which is emitted by each body, depends on the temperature as well as on
the radiation features of the surface material of the measuring object. The emissivity (ε – Epsilon) is used as
a material constant factor to describe the ability of the body to emit infrared energy. It can range between 0
and 100 %. A “blackbody” is the ideal radiation source with an emissivity of 1,0 whereas a mirror shows an
emissivity of 0,1.
If the emissivity chosen is too high, the infrared thermometer may display a temperature value which is much
lower than the real temperature –assuming the measuring object is warmer than its surroundings. A low
emissivity (reflective surfaces) carries the risk of inaccurate measuring results by interfering infrared radiation
emitted by background objects (flames, heating systems, chamottes). To minimize measuring errors in such
cases, the handling should be performed very carefully and the unit should be protected against reflecting
radiation sources.
7.2 Determination of unknown Emissivities
►First, determine the actual temperature of the measuring object with a thermocouple or contact sensor.
Second, measure the temperature with the infrared thermometer and modify the emissivity until the
displayed result corresponds to the actual temperature.
►If you monitor temperatures of up to 380 °C you may place a special plastic sticker (emissivity dots –part
number: ACLSED) onto the measuring object, which covers it completely. Now set the emissivity to 0,95

-Emissivity 19-
and take the temperature of the sticker. Afterwards, determine the temperature of the adjacent area on
the measuring object and adjust the emissivity according to the value of the temperature of the sticker.
►Cove a part of the surface of the measuring object with a black, flat paint with an emissivity of 0,98. Adjust
the emissivity of your infrared thermometer to 0,98 and take the temperature of the colored surface.
Afterwards, determine the temperature of a directly adjacent area and modify the emissivity until the
measured value corresponds to the temperature of the colored surface.
CAUTION: On all three methods the object temperature must be different from ambient temperature.
7.3 Characteristic Emissivities
In case none of the methods mentioned above help to determine the emissivity you may use emissivity
tables. These are average values, only. The actual emissivity of a material depends on the following factors:
Temperature
Measuring angle
Geometry of the surface
Thickness of the material
Constitution of the surface (polished, oxidized, rough, sandblast)
Spectral range of the measurement
Transmissivity (e.g. with thin films)

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8 Calibration of Infrared Thermometers [1] [2]
In this chapter the general procedure and important relationships for the calibration of infrared thermometers
are explained. For a detailed description of the different calibration methods and a detailed uncertainty
consideration we recommend the standard VDI/ VDE 3511 part 4.3 Calibration of radiation thermometers.
Infrared thermometers are calibrated with the help of reference radiation sources, so called black bodies.
These radiation sources can produce different radiation temperatures with a high stability which are used to
determine the calibration constants of the infrared thermometers.
For the calibration process it is of essential importance to know the exact value of the radiation temperature.
It can be measured either by using a contact thermometer (in combination with the determination of the
emissivity) or by using a transfer standard infrared thermometer.
The emissivity of an ideal radiation source would be 1,00 for all wavelengths and emission angles.
From all real existing sources cavity radiation sources are achieving the best results (emissivity values up to
0,999). The emissivity of a plate radiation source is strongly dependent on the surface properties and is
typically at 0,96.
For the here described calibration method the knowledge of the exact emissivity value of the used
radiation source is not necessary.