TSI Instruments QUESTemp 32 User manual

iii Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Up and Running............................................ 1
Check Wick and Fill Natural Wet Bulb.............. 1
Measurements............................................... 2
QUESTemp32.................................................. 2
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature ........................... 2
Heat Index / Humidex ........................................ 3
Keypad Operation......................................... 4
Displayed Items ............................................ 4
Placement for Monitoring/Testing .............. 6
Sensors.......................................................... 6
Natural Wet Bulb Thermometer........................ 6
Globe Thermometer........................................... 6
Dry Bulb Thermometer ...................................... 7
Relative Humidity Sensor .................................. 7
Remote, Sensors 2 and 3............................. 8
Tri-Sensor Weighted Average........................... 8
Operational Check........................................ 8
Power Options .............................................. 9
9-V Alkaline Battery Replacement.................... 9
Approved 9-Volt Batteries.................................. 9
NiMH Battery Pack........................................... 10
Appendix A: Specifications ...................... 11
Measurements .................................................11
Languages........................................................11
Housing.............................................................11
Size ...................................................................11
Weight...............................................................11
Sensor Types ...................................................11
Accuracy ...........................................................11
Operating Temperature Range.......................11
Remote Sensor Bars .......................................11
Power Options..................................................12
Battery Life........................................................12
Charge Time (NiMH Battery Pack)................. 12
Safety Approvals.............................................. 12
Product Markings .............................................12
Batteries............................................................12
Appendix B: Heat Exposures Tables........ 13
ACGIH...............................................................13
United States Navy ..........................................14
Electrical power research institute (EPRI)......16
Appendix B: Accessories .......................... 17
Contact/Service information...................... 18
Technical Support Contacts ............................18
Service Contact Information............................18
Returning for Service .......................................19
Calibration.........................................................19
Warranty ...................................................... 20

iv Table of Contents
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1 Up and Running
Check Wick and Fill Natural Wet Bulb
Up and Running
1. Make sure the wet bulb’s wick is clean. Fill the reservoir with distilled
water. (DO NOT use ordinary tap water).
2. Place the QUESTemp° in the work area in a safe location approximately
3.5 feet off the ground.
3. Turn the unit ON. If the battery voltage displayed during the power-on
sequence is less than or equal to 6.4 volts, replace or recharge the
batteries.
4. Use the arrow keys to set the display to the desired items.
5. Allow 10 minutes for the sensors to stabilize to the environment before
taking readings.
Check Wick and Fill Natural Wet Bulb
The QUESTemp 32 uses a cotton wick immersed into a reservoir containing distilled
water. DO NOT use ordinary tap water, as the contaminants that are left behind
after evaporation will shorten the life of the wick and cause high readings. If the wick
is discolored, it should be replaced. To replace the wick, slide the old wick off the
top of the sensor. Place a new wick over the sensor, making sure that the bottom of
the wick is down in the reservoir.
Wick
Reservoir cover
Reservoir
Filling wet bulb reservoir
1. Remove reservoir cover and fill with
distilled or de-ionized water.
2. Replace reservoir cover.
Figure 1-1: Filling wet bulb reservoir
Up and Running

2 Measurements
QUESTemp32
Measurements
QUESTemp32
The QUESTemp32 portable area heat stress monitor computes the Wet Bulb
Globe Temperature (WBGT). The WBGT is an accepted measurement for
determining the heat stress level imposed on an individual in a given environment.
The QUESTemp32 measures three parameters: ambient or dry bulb temperature
(DB), natural wet bulb temperature (WB), and globe temperature (G).
In addition to the WBGT, the QUESTemp32 measures relative humidity (RH) and
computes the Heat Index (HI) or Humidex. The QUESTemp32, using inputs on the
side of the instrument, has the ability to connect to two additional sensor arrays for
monitoring up to three locations simultaneously.
Wet Bulb Globe Temperature
The WBGT is a weighted average of the three temperature sensors using the
following formulas:
WBGT (indoor) = 0.7WB + 0.3G (denoted as “WBGTi” on the display)
WBGT (outdoor) = 0.7WB + 0.2G + 0.1DB (denoted as “WBGTo” on the
display)
NOTE: The resulting WBGT can be compared to indices of work-rest regimens
(stay times) based upon the work loads. (See Appendix A for published
heat exposure tables.)
Measurements

3 Measurements
Heat Index / Humidex
Heat Index / Humidex
The Heat Index is determined using the dry bulb temperature and relative humidity.
Based upon charts available from the U.S. National Weather Service, Heat Index
represents how an average person feels relative to climate conditions. For a
constant temperature, if the humidity rises, so does the heat index.
The Heat Index is defined over a temperature range of 70F - 120F (21C - 49C)
and a relative humidity range of 30% - 99%. Outside of this range, the instrument
will show dashes in the display for the Heat Index.
The Humidex is used primarily in Canada and is very similar to the Heat Index. The
values are slightly different. The Humidex is defined over a temperature range of
70F - 109F (21C - 43C) and a relative humidity range of 20% - 99%. Outside of
this range, the instrument will show dashes in the display for the Humidex.

4 Keypad Operation
Heat Index / Humidex
Keypad Operation
The unit operates using a membrane keypad with four keys. The I/O ENTER key
responds when the key is released while all other keys respond when the key is
pressed.
Keys
Explanation
I/O Enter key
The unit turns on with a single key press. The unit turns off
by holding the key down while a countdown of 3-2-1 occurs
in the lower right corner of the display. This key is also
used to enter setup changes.
While viewing live readings, pressing and releasing the key
will cause the display to view the next available sensor bar
(indicated in the upper right corner of the display).
Up Arrow key
Changes which items appear in the display. Scrolls up.
Down Arrow key
Changes which items appear in the display. Scrolls down.
Setup key
Allows changing the setup parameters. Three parameters
are available: Celsius or Fahrenheit, the language, and
Heat Index or Humidex. Press setup to access the
parameters. Use the arrow keys to switch between the two
parameters. Use the enter key to change the parameters.
Press setup again to exit.
Displayed Items
The number in the upper right corner indicates which sensor bar’s data is displayed.
1 indicates the sensor bar placed on (or attached to) the top of the instrument. Sensors
2 and 3 are labeled on the side of the unit. W indicates the weighted average which only
appears if a WBGT is displayed and all three sensor bars are attached.
Keypad
Operation

5 Displayed Items
Heat Index / Humidex
The following measurements can be accessed on the display:
Screen 1: WET (Wet bulb)
DRY (Dry bulb)
WET 80.5ºF 1
DRY 92.2ºF
Screen 2: GLOBE
GLOBE 92.4.ºF 1
Screen 3: WBGTi (Indoors)
WBGTo (Outdoors)
WBGTi 84.1 º F 1
WBGTo 107.5 º F
Screen 4: RH (Relative Humidity)
H.I. or HU
(Heat Index or Humidex)
RH 66.2 % 1
H.I. 84.3ºF

6 Placement for Monitoring/Testing
Natural Wet Bulb Thermometer
Placement for Monitoring/Testing
The QUESTemp° 32 should be placed at a height of 3.5 feet (1.1 m) for standing
individuals or 2 feet (.6 m) for seated individuals. Tripod mounting is recommended to
get the unit away from anything that might block radiant heat or air flow. A ¼ "x 20
threaded bushing on the bottom of the instrument allows mounting to a standard
photographic tripod. Do not stand close to the unit during sampling.
Make sure that the wet bulb reservoir is filled with distilled water and that the cotton wick
is clean and fully wetted. After adding water or placing the unit in a new environment,
allow ten minutes for the globe and wet bulb readings to stabilize.
A series of dashes appear in the display if one of the following occur:
The Heat Index or Humidex is outside of its allowable range
The temperature is outside of its allowable range
A temperature sensor has failed
Sensors
Natural Wet Bulb Thermometer
The natural wet bulb thermometer gives an indication of the effects of humidity on an
individual. Relative humidity and air flow are taken into account by measuring the
amount of evaporative cooling taking place at a thermometer covered with a moistened
wick. The QUESTemp° 32 uses a cotton wick immersed into a reservoir containing
distilled water. DO NOT use ordinary tap water, as the contaminants that are left behind
after evaporation will shorten the life of the wick and cause high readings. If the wick is
discolored, it should be replaced. To replace the wick, slide the old wick off the top of
the sensor. Place a new wick over the sensor, making sure that the bottom of the wick
is down in the reservoir.
Globe Thermometer
The globe thermometer gives an indication of the radiant heat exposure on an individual
due to either direct light or hot objects in the environment. This is accomplished by
placing a temperature sensor inside a blackened copper sphere and measuring the
temperature rise. The WBGT index is based on the response of a 6-inch diameter
globe. The QUESTemp° 32 uses a 2-inch diameter globe for a faster response time.
The temperature of the 2-inch globe is correlated to match that of a 6-inch globe.
As an option, a sensor array with a 6-inch diameter globe is available.
Placement