Fluke and Hart Scientific have just released the latest version of the 1620A DewK environmental monitor for calibration laboratories. Initially launched two years ago, Fluke claims to have revolutionised environmental monitoring for calibration labs with the introduction of the 1620 DewK. The latest upgrade, the 1620A now offers Ethernet and wireless connections and upgraded LogWare III software.
Accuracy
Two types of sensors are available from Hart. The high-accuracy sensor ('H' model) reads temperature to ±0,125°C over a calibrated range of 16°C to 24deg;C. Relative humidity readings are to ±1,5% RH from 20% RH to 70% RH. The standard-accuracy sensor ('S' model) reads temperature to ±0,25°C over its calibrated range of 15°C to 35°C. Relative humidity readings are to ±2% RH from 20% RH to 70% RH. All DewK sensors come with NVLAP accredited certificates of calibration for both temperature and humidity, complete with data and NIST traceability. Hart provides exceptional uncertainties, including total test uncertainty ratios better than 3:1 for both temperature and relative humidity for both standard and high-accuracy sensors.
Both sensors can also measure temperature below their respective calibrated ranges to 0°C and above their respective calibrated ranges to 50°C with typical accuracy of ±0,5°C. RH readings from 0% RH to 20% RH and from 70% RH to 100% RH are typically within ±3%.
Calibrated sensors
The DewK has inputs for two sensors, each measuring both temperature and relative humidity, so that the DewK can monitor two locations simultaneously. Both sensors can be run via extension cables to remote locations up to 30 metres away, or one sensor can be directly mounted to the top of the DewK.
Each sensor is calibrated for both temperature and humidity at Fluke's Hart Scientific Division. The calibration constants assigned to the sensors reside in a memory chip located inside the sensor housing, so sensors may be used interchangeably between different DewKs. Sensors may also be assigned a unique identifier (up to 16 characters) to facilitate record keeping by matching the sensor identifier with the collected data.
Ethernet and wireless capability
The DewK features a built-in Ethernet RJ45 jack. Multiple DewKs can be monitored from the same screen using the new LogWare III client-server software. Ethernet also facilitates remote connectivity over the Internet, so that critical conditions can be monitored from a remote location. Data can be sent to a printer through the RS232 interface in realtime.
Further features
In addition to temperature and humidity, the DewK calculates dew point, heat index, and rates of change for both temperature and humidity. Min, max, and a variety of other statistics are also calculated and can be shown on-screen. Daily summary statistics, including min, max, and maximum rates of change are stored for the most recent 60 days.
The DewK has an impressive memory capacity - enough to store up to 400 000 date and time-stamped data points. This is equivalent to two years' worth of data for both measurements from two sensors from readings taken at 10 minute intervals.
Alarm settings are easily made based on temperature, the rate of change in temperature, RH, the rate of change in RH, and instrument fault conditions. Alarms can be both visual (flashing display) and audible (beeping). Likewise, alarm settings can be set up and events triggered in LogWare III. The DewK is also equipped with a 0 to 12 volt alarm output that can trigger a process control system. A backup battery shuts down the DewK's display but maintains measurements for up to 16 hours in the event of a power failure.
Finally, the DewK can be configured to display in up to 16 different setups that can be stored, recalled and easily modified.
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