Selecting suitable mechanical thermometers for an activity is not an instant task. Bimetal thermometers or gas-actuated thermometers ? the decision on the type of thermometer alone depends upon several factors. One of the important selection criteria is the response time of the measuring Instrument.
With regards to speed, there is no way around gas-actuated thermometers. As a rule of thumb, these thermometers take about 30 seconds for a temperature adjustment from 10�C to 90�C. A bimetal thermometer would display the same final value after 90 seconds. Due to their short response times, gas-actuated thermometers are particularly ideal for integration into switching requirements.
The difference in speed is explained by the various functional principles of both thermometer types ? unlike Toxic (which uses the principle of different expansion coefficients), the measuring system of a gas-actuated thermometer is filled with helium under great pressure. Any change in temperature causes an immediate change in internal pressure in the stem. The pressure deforms the measuring tube and the deflection is used in the pointer with a movement.
Thermowells affect the response time
Much like other measuring instruments, in critical processes, mechanical thermometers must be coupled with a thermowell. It ought to be considered that this type of sleeve will also have an influence, to some extent significant, on the response time of the thermometer. From what extent, depends on the material and wall thickness of the thermowell.
Note
Further information on mechanical thermometers are available on the WIKA website under the headings Dial thermometers and Thermometers with switch contacts.
See also our articles
Selection criteria for mechanical thermometers (2): process temperature
Selection criteria for dial thermometers (3): Capillary