ASTM E644-08

Standard Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
These test methods provide uniform methods for testing industrial resistance thermometers so that a given tester may expect to obtain the same value of a test result from making successive measurements on the same test article within the limits of repeatability given in Appendix X4. Independent testers may also expect to obtain the same result from the testing of the same article within the limits of reproducibility given in Appendix X4.
These tests may be used to qualify platinum resistance thermometers for use in specific applications to meet a particular specification such as Specification E 1137/E 1137M, or to evaluate relative merits of equivalent test articles supplied by one or more manufacturers, or to determine the limits of the application of a particular design of thermometer.  
The expected repeatability and reproducibility of selected test methods are included in Appendix X4.
Some non-destructive tests described in these test methods may be applied to thermometers that can be subsequently sold or used; other destructive tests may preclude the sale or use of the test article because of damage that the test may produce.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the principles, apparatus, and procedures for calibration and testing of industrial resistance thermometers.  
1.2 These test methods cover the tests for insulation resistance, calibration, immersion error, pressure effects, thermal response time, vibration effect, mechanical shock, self-heating effect, stability, thermoelectric effect, humidity, thermal hysteresis, thermal shock, and end seal integrity.
1.3 These test methods are not necessarily intended for, recommended to be performed on, or appropriate for every type of thermometer. The expected repeatability and reproducibility of the results are tabulated in Appendix X4.
1.4 These test methods, when specified in a procurement document, shall govern the method of testing the resistance thermometer.
1.5 Thermometer performance specifications, acceptance limits, and sampling methods are not covered in these test methods; they should be specified separately in the procurement document.
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.  Specific precautionary statements are given in 6.3.2, 6.3.5, and 8.1.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2008
• ICS: 17.200.20 - Temperature-measuring instruments
• Technical Committee: E20 - Temperature Measurement
• Drafting Committee: E20.03 - Resistance Thermometers

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E644-06 - Standard Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Replaced By: ASTM E644-09 - Standard Test Methods for Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
• Effective Date: 01-Nov-2009
• Referred By: ASTM E3186-19 - Standard Guide for Use and Testing of Dry-Block Temperature Calibrators
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1502-22 - Standard Guide for Use of Fixed-Point Cells for Reference Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D2532-22 - Standard Test Method for Viscosity and Viscosity Change After Standing at Low Temperature of Aircraft Turbine Lubricants
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D3012-19 - Standard Test Method for Thermal-Oxidative Stability of Polypropylene Using a Specimen Rotator Within an Oven
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5/D5M-20 - Standard Test Method for Penetration of Bituminous Materials
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM E1137/E1137M-08(2020) - Standard Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM G151-19 - Standard Practice for Exposing Nonmetallic Materials in Accelerated Test Devices that Use Laboratory Light Sources
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D4539-22 - Standard Test Method for Filterability of Diesel Fuels by Low-Temperature Flow Test (LTFT)
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D97-17b(2022) - Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Petroleum Products
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6371-17a - Standard Test Method for Cold Filter Plugging Point of Diesel and Heating Fuels
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D6176-97(2022) - Standard Practice for Measuring Surface Atmospheric Temperature with Electrical Resistance Temperature Sensors
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5853-17a - Standard Test Method for Pour Point of Crude Oils
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008
• Referred By: ASTM D5110-22a - Standard Practice for Calibration of Ozone Monitors and Certification of Ozone Transfer Standards Using Ultraviolet Photometry
• Effective Date: 01-May-2008

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: E644 – 08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E644; 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 E230 Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force
(EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
1.1 These test methods cover the principles, apparatus, and
E344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrom-
procedures for calibration and testing of industrial resistance
etry
thermometers.
E563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath
1.2 These test methods cover the tests for insulation resis-
as a Reference Temperature
tance, calibration, immersion error, pressure effects, thermal
E1137/E1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resis-
response time, vibration effect, mechanical shock, self-heating
tance Thermometers
effect, stability, thermoelectric effect, humidity, thermal hys-
E1502 Guide for Use of Freezing-Point Cells for Reference
teresis, thermal shock, and end seal integrity.
Temperatures
1.3 These test methods are not necessarily intended for,
E1750 Guide for Use of Water Triple Point Cells
recommended to be performed on, or appropriate for every
E1751 Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force (EMF)
type of thermometer. The expected repeatability and reproduc-
Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple Combi-
ibility of the results are tabulated in Appendix X4.
3
nations
1.4 These test methods, when specified in a procurement
E2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermom-
document, shall govern the method of testing the resistance
eters with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
thermometer.
4
2.2 Military Standard:
1.5 Thermometer performance specifications, acceptance
MIL-STD-202 Test Methods for Electronic and Electrical
limits, and sampling methods are not covered in these test
Component Parts
methods; they should be specified separately in the procure-
ment document.
3. Terminology
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.1 ThedefinitionsgiveninTerminologyE344shallapply
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
to these test methods.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.2 bath gradient error, n—the error caused by tempera-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precau-
ture differences in the working space of the bath. (The bath or
tionary statements are given in 6.3.2, 6.3.5, and 8.1.
temperature equalizing blocks should be explored to determine
2. Referenced Documents the work areas in which the temperature gradients are insig-
2
nificant.)
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3.1.3 calibration, n—the determination of the indications of
E1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
a thermometer with respect to temperatures established by a
E77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Ther-
standard resulting in scale corrections to be applied when
mometers
maximum accuracy is required.
3.1.4 connecting wire error, n—the error caused by uncom-
pensated connecting wire resistance. (Although the connecting
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on
wire is part of the measurement circuit, most of it is not at the
TemperatureMeasurementandarethedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeE20.03
temperature that is being determined. Thermometers are avail-
on Resistance Thermometers.
able in two-, three-, and four-wire configurations. There is no
Current edition approved May 1, 2008. Published June 2008. Originally
approved in 1978. Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E644 – 06. DOI:
10.1520/E0644-08.
2 3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM on www.astm.org.
4
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing
the ASTM website.
Office, Washington, DC 20234.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E644 – 08
satisfactory way to compensate for the wire resistance in the significant electrical shunting or ground loop current in the
measurement with a two-wire thermometer although the wire measurement circuit, or any circuit failure if the exc
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E644–06 Designation: E 644 – 08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Testing Industrial Resistance Thermometers
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 644; 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 These test methods cover the principles, apparatus, and procedures for calibration and testing of industrial resistance
thermometers.
1.2 These test methods cover the tests for insulation resistance, calibration, immersion error, pressure effects, thermal response
time, vibration effect, mechanical shock, self-heating effect, stability, thermoelectric effect, humidity, thermal hysteresis, thermal
shock, and end seal integrity.
1.3 These test methods are not necessarily intended for, recommended to be performed on, or appropriate for every type of
thermometer. The expected repeatability and reproducibility of the results are tabulated in Appendix X4.
1.4 These test methods, when specified in a procurement document, shall govern the method of testing the resistance
thermometer.
1.5 Thermometer performance specifications, acceptance limits, and sampling methods are not covered in these test methods;
they should be specified separately in the procurement document.
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. Specific precautionary statements are given in 6.3.2, 6.3.5, and 8.1.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 1 Specification for ASTM Liquid-in-Glass Thermometers
E 77 Test Method for Inspection and Verification of Thermometers
E 230 Specification and Temperature-Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Standardized Thermocouples
E 344 Terminology Relating to Thermometry and Hydrometry
E 563 Practice for Preparation and Use of an Ice-Point Bath as a Reference Temperature
E 1137/E 1137M Specification for Industrial Platinum Resistance Thermometers
E 1502 Guide for Use of Freezing-Point Cells for Reference Temperatures
E 1750 Guide for Use of Water Triple Point Cells
E 1751Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple Combinations
Guide for Temperature Electromotive Force (EMF) Tables for Non-Letter Designated Thermocouple Combinations
E 2251 Specification for Liquid-in-Glass ASTM Thermometers with Low-Hazard Precision Liquids
3
2.2 Military Standard:
MIL-STD-202 Test Methods for Electronic and Electrical Component Parts
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.1.1 The definitions given in Terminology E 344 shall apply to these test methods.
3.1.2 bath gradient error, n—the error caused by temperature differences in the working space of the bath. (The bath or
temperatureequalizingblocksshouldbeexploredtodeterminetheworkareasinwhichthetemperaturegradientsareinsignificant.)
3.1.3 calibration, n—the determination of the indications of a thermometer with respect to temperatures established by a
standard resulting in scale corrections to be applied when maximum accuracy is required.
3.1.4 connecting wire error, n—the error caused by uncompensated connecting wire resistance. (Although the connecting wire
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E20 on Temperature Measurement and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E20.03 on
Resistance Thermometers.
CurrenteditionapprovedJuneMay1,2006.2008.PublishedJuly2006.June2008.Originallyapprovedin1978.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin20042006asE 644 – 046.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
3
Available from Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20234.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
E644–08
ispartofthemeasurementcircuit,mostofitisnotatthetemperaturethatisbeingdetermined.Thermometersareavailableintwo-,
three-, and four-wire configurations. There is n
...