ASTM D6176-97(2015)

Standard Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Applications—Ambient atmospheric temperature measurements can be made using resistance thermometers for many purposes. The application determines the most appropriate type of resistance thermometer and data recording method to be used. Examples of three typical meteorological applications for temperature measurements follow.  
4.1.1 Single-level, near-surface measurements for weather observations (1)3, thermodynamic computations for industrial applications, or environmental studies (2).  
4.1.2 Temperature differential or vertical gradient measurements to characterize atmospheric stability for atmospheric dispersion analyses studies (2).  
4.1.3 Temperature fluctuations for heat flux or temperature, or variance computations, or both. Measurements of heat flux and temperature variance require high precision measurements with a fast response to changes in the ambient atmosphere.  
4.2 Purpose—This practice is designed to assist the user in selecting an appropriate temperature measurement system for the intended atmospheric application, and properly installing and operating the system. The manufacturer's recommendations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency handbook on quality assurance in meteorological measurements (3) should be consulted for calibration and performance audit procedures.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides procedures to measure representative near-surface atmospheric (outdoor air) temperature for meteorological purposes using commonly available electrical thermometers housed in radiation shields mounted on stationary or portable masts or towers.  
1.2 This practice is applicable for measurements over the temperature range normally encountered in the ambient atmosphere, –50 to +50°C.  
1.3 Air temperature measurement systems include a radiation shield, resistance thermometer, signal cables, and associated electronics.  
1.4 Measurements can be made at a single level for various meteorological purposes, at two or more levels for vertical temperature differences, and using special equipment (at one or more levels) for fluctuations of temperature with time applied to flux or variance measurements.  
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Mar-2015
• ICS: 17.200.20 - Temperature-measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: D22 - Air Quality
• Drafting Committee: D22.11 - Meteorology

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6176 − 97 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical
1
Resistance Temperature Sensors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6176; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope E644Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Ther-
mometers
1.1 This practice provides procedures to measure represen-
E1137/E1137MSpecification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
tative near-surface atmospheric (outdoor air) temperature for
tance Thermometers
meteorological purposes using commonly available electrical
thermometers housed in radiation shields mounted on station-
3. Terminology
ary or portable masts or towers.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 This practice is applicable for measurements over the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to
temperature range normally encountered in the ambient
Terminology D1356 and E344. Some definitions are repeated
atmosphere, –50 to +50°C.
in this section for the reader’s convenience.
1.3 Air temperature measurement systems include a radia-
3.1.2 connecting wires—the wires which run from the ele-
tion shield, resistance thermometer, signal cables, and associ-
ment through the cable end closure and external to the sheath.
ated electronics.
3.1.3 interchangeability—the extent to which the thermom-
1.4 Measurements can be made at a single level for various
eter matches a resistance-temperature relationship.
meteorological purposes, at two or more levels for vertical
3.1.4 inversion—the increase in potential temperature with
temperaturedifferences,andusingspecialequipment(atoneor
an increase in height (see 3.1.5 and 3.2.7).
more levels) for fluctuations of temperature with time applied
to flux or variance measurements.
3.1.5 lapse rate—the change in temperature with an in-
crease in height (see 3.1.4 and 3.2.7).
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1.6 resistance thermometer—atemperature-measuringde-
standard.
vice comprised of a resistance thermometer element, internal
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
connecting wires, a protective shell with or without means for
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the mounting, a connection head or connecting wire with other
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
fittings, or both (see also 3.2.3).
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.7 resistance thermometer element—the temperature-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sensitive portion of the thermometer composed of resistance
wire, film or semiconductor material, its supporting structure,
2. Referenced Documents
and the means for attaching connecting wires.
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.8 thermistor—a semiconductor whose primary function
D1356Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
is to exhibit a monotonic change (generally a decrease) in
Atmospheres
electrical resistance with an increase in sensor temperature.
E344Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
etry 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 ambient—the portion of the atmosphere where the air
temperature is unaffected by local structural, terrain, or heat
1
ThispracticeisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD22onAirQuality
source or sink influences.
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.11 on Meteorology.
Current edition approved April 1, 2015. Published April 2015. Originally
3.2.2 sensor—used interchangeably with resistance ther-
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D6176–97 (2008).
mometer (see 3.1.6) in this practice.
DOI: 10.1520/D6176-97R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.2.3 shield—a ventilated housing designed to minimize the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
effectsofsolarandterrestrialradiationonatemperaturesensor
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. while maximizing convective heat transfer between the sensor
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6176 − 97 (2015)
and the passing air, and to protect the sensor from contact with tionsandtheU.S.EnvironmentalProtectionAgencyhandbook
liquid moisture; also known as radiation shield. on quality assurance in meteorological measurements (3)
should be consulted f
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6176 − 97 (Reapproved 2008) D6176 − 97 (Reapproved 2015)
Standard Practice for
Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical
1
Resistance Temperature Sensors
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6176; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice provides procedures to measure representative near-surface atmospheric (outdoor air) temperature for
meteorological purposes using commonly available electrical thermometers housed in radiation shields mounted on stationary or
portable masts or towers.
1.2 This practice is applicable for measurements over the temperature range normally encountered in the ambient atmosphere,
–50 to +50°C.
1.3 Air temperature measurement systems include a radiation shield, resistance thermometer, signal cables, and associated
electronics.
1.4 Measurements can be made at a single level for various meteorological purposes, at two or more levels for vertical
temperature differences, and using special equipment (at one or more levels) for fluctuations of temperature with time applied to
flux or variance measurements.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry
E644 Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:For
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1356 and E344. Some definitions are repeated in this
section for the reader’s convenience. definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1356 and E344. Some
definitions are repeated in this section for the reader’s convenience.
3.1.2 connecting wires—the wires which run from the element through the cable end closure and external to the sheath.
3.1.3 interchangeability—the extent to which the thermometer matches a resistance-temperature relationship.
3.1.4 inversion—the increase in potential temperature with an increase in height (see 3.1.43.1.5 and 3.2.7).
3.1.5 lapse rate—the change in temperature with an increase in height (see 3.1.33.1.4 and 3.2.7).
3.1.6 resistance thermometer—a temperature-measuring device comprised of a resistance thermometer element, internal
connecting wires, a protective shell with or without means for mounting, a connection head or connecting wire with other fittings,
or both (see also 3.2.3).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Air Quality and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D22.11 on Meteorology.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008April 1, 2015. Published October 2008April 2015. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20032008 as
D6176 - 97D6176 – 97 (2008).(2003). DOI: 10.1520/D6176-97R08.10.1520/D6176-97R15.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6176 − 97 (2015)
3.1.7 resistance thermometer element—the temperature-sensitive portion of the thermometer composed of resistance wire, film
or semiconductor material, its supporting structure, and the means for attaching connecting wires.
3.1.8 thermistor—a semiconductor whose primary function is to exhibit a monotonic change (generally a decrease) in electrical
resistance with an increase in sensor temperature.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 ambient—the portion of the atmosphere where the air temperature is unaffected by local structural, terrain, or he
...