Fluke 1586A Application Note

Automating temperature

sensor calibration with the

1586A Super-DAQ

Take your calibration lab
productivity to the next level

Use the 1586A Super-DAQ to automate
temperature sensor calibration

The 1586A Super-DAQ Precision Temperature
Scanner provides a unique feature for automat­ing sensor calibration that can greatly increase
your lab productivity—without a PC and soft­ware. When the Super-DAQ is connected to
a Fluke Calibration dry-well or fluid bath, it
can control the temperature source to run the
calibration automatically. You simply program
the number of set-point temperatures and their
values, select a scan sequence, assign a refer­ence channel, and set the required stability
band.

The Super-DAQ monitors the temperature
source’s stability through the reference chan­nel, collects the data from the reference probe
and the “unit under test” (UUT) once stabi­lized, and then advances to the next set-point
temperature.

After you configure and start the test, you
can walk away to work on other things. The
Super-DAQ just made your day a whole lot
easier!

One temperature source can be connected to
the Super-DAQ at a time. The Super-DAQ can
control all of the following Fluke Calibration
models:

• Field Metrology Wells: 9142, 9143, 9144,

9190A

• Metrology Wells: 9170, 9171, 9172, 9173

• Handheld Calibrators: 9100S, 9102S

• Field Dry-Well Calibrators: 3125, 9009, 9103,

9140, 9141

• Thermocouple Furnace: 9150, 9118A

• Dual Block Dry-Well: 9011

• Micro Baths: 6102, 7102, 7103

• Compact Baths: 6330, 7320, 7340, 7380

• Deep-Well Compact Baths: 6331, 7321, 7341,

• Triple Point of Water Maintenance Bath: 7312

• High Temperature Oil Baths: 6020, 6022,

• High Temperature Salt Bath: 6050H

• Cold Temperature Baths: 7008, 7040, 7037,

• Deep-Well Baths: 6054, 6055, 7007

• Resistor Baths: 7009, 7108, 7015

Application Note

7381

6024

7012, 7060, 7080

From the Fluke Calibration Digital Library @ www.flukecal.com/library

How to set up an automated
sensor calibration

Step 1: Connect the RS-232 cable

Connect a DE-9, null-modem, female-female
RS-232 cable from the Super-DAQ rear panel
to the RS-232 port of the temperature source.
Ensure that the baud rate of the temperature
source matches the Super-DAQ. The default is

9600. You can designate any channel as the
reference probe including the front panel chan­nel (Ch 001).

Note: The Super-DAQ does not record temperature data from the
temperature source’s controller or Process Electronics input. All
measurement, stability monitoring, and data collection are done
through the Super-DAQ.

Press the Edit Channel soft key, set Function
to Thermocouple, Thermistor, or PRT. Choose
the appropriate parameters for the function
selected. Configure additional channels. Press
Back when finished.

Temperature source

control output

Reference

probe

UUT

Example
temperature
control
source

Step 2: Select the channels

Press the Channel Setup hard key, select a
channel to be enabled and press ON (F2).

Step 3: Select test parameters

Press Test Setup. Change the Trigger Type to
Automated Test, enter the Scan Count, set the
Sequence to Linear, Alternate Reference, or

Up/Down.

• Linear Sequence – Scans the first reference

channel (Ref1), then all of the enabled chan-

nels in ascending channel order, followed

by the optional second reference channel

(Ref2). For example: Ref1 > Ch102 > Ch103

> Ch104 > Ref2.

• Alternate Reference Sequence – Scans the

first reference channel (Ref1), then a single

channel, followed by the optional second

reference channel (Ref2). The sequence then

repeats for the other enabled channels. For

example: Ref1> Ch102 > Ref2 > Ref1 >

Ch103 > Ref2 > Ref1 > Ch104 > Ref2.

• Up/Down Sequence – Scans the first

reference channel (Ref1), then the enabled

channels in ascending channel order, fol-

lowed by the optional second reference

channel (Ref2). The sequence is then imme-

diately repeated in reverse, descending

order. For example: Ref1 > Ch102 > Ch103

> Ch104 > Ref2 > Ref2 > Ch104 > Ch103 >

Ch102 > Ref1.

2 Fluke Calibration Automating temperature sensor calibration with the 1586A Super-DAQ

Designate a Reference Channel, and turn Con-
trol Source On. The default is Off, so don’t skip
this step.

Note: If Auto Recording is On (Test Setup menu), data will be
recorded automat ically. If Auto Recording is Off, you can press the
Record key once the scan has been started to manua lly capture
data.

Step 4: Choose setpoint temperatures

Press Setpoints. Select Setpoint 1 and enter
Setpoint Temperature, Tolerance, Stability,

and Soak Time. Press New to add additional
setpoints.

Note: The number and value of setpoint temperatures is dependent
on your source.

Step 5: Start the scan

Press the Scan/Monitor key and select
Start Scan.

Step 6: Collect data

The Automated Test state will display a Scan
Status of “Settling” while the temperature

source is stabilizing. After the source has
stabilized, the Automated Test state will then
display a Scan Status of “Scanning” while the
data is being collected. Data can be written to
internal memory or a USB flash drive during a
test. You can select Data, Graph, or Monitor view
modes during data collection.

3 Fluke Calibration Automating temperature sensor calibration with the 1586A Super-DAQ

Step 7: Analyze data

Once the data has been collected, it can be
transferred to a PC as an Excel .CSV file for
analysis.

Conclusion

The automated sensor calibration feature of the
1586A Super-DAQ can have a big impact on
your calibration lab throughput and efficiency.
It comes in real handy when you have lots of
sensors to calibrate and limited time and staff
to do it. No extra training on software packages
is needed.

Once you set up a Super-DAQ automated
test, you can move on to other work that needs
to get done. The Super-DAQ controls the tem­perature source and gathers calibration data
automatically—all within the parameters you’ve
specified.

For more information on the 1586A Super­DAQ, please see the product page and videos on
our website at http://us.flukecal.com

Fluke Calibration. Precision, performance, confidence.

Fluke Calibration
PO Box 9090,
Everett, WA 98206 U.S.A.

For more information call:
In the U.S.A. [phone] or Fax [phone]
In Europe/M-East/Africa [phone] or Fax [phone]
In Canada (800)-36-Fluke or Fax [phone]
From other countries [phone] or Fax [phone]
Web access: http://www.flukecal.com

©2014 Fluke Calibration. Specifications subject to change without notice.
Printed in U.S.A. 6/2014 6002875A_EN
Pub-ID 13173-eng

Modification of this document is not permitted without written permission
from Fluke Calibration.

4 Fluke Calibration Automating temperature sensor calibration with the 1586A Super-DAQ

™

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PO Box 1186, 5602 BD
Eindhoven, The Netherlands