Kane-May KM20REF Safety And Operation Instructions

KM20REF

REFERENCE

THERMOMETER

1

GENERAL INFORMATION

It is recommended that you read the safety and operation instructions
before using this instrument.

WARNING

TO AVOID DAMAGE OR BURNS, DO NOT MAKE TEMPERATURE
MEASUREMENTS IN MICROWAVE OVENS.

CAUTION

Temperature Measurement Probes
This precision instrument has been designed for use with the
extensive range of Comark temperature probes. The use of other
probes may impair the performance and accuracy of the instrument.
Full details of Comark probes and sensors can be obtained from
Comark Customer Support department or your local distributor.

Repeated sharp fl exing can break thermocouple probe leads. To
prolong lead life, avoid sharp bends or kinks in the leads, especially
near the connector.

This instrument is manufactured in accordance
with the Company’s ISO 9001 Quality Approved
System.

This instrument complies with the
Electromagnetic Compatibility Directive
EN 61326-1.

Declarations of Conformity available. Contact
Comark Customer Support or your local
Distributor.

In line with its policy of continuous development, Comark Instruments
reserves the right to alter the instrument specifi cation without prior
notice. Further information is available from Comark Instruments or your

distributor.

ISO 9001

FM 26700

2

CALIBRATION, CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE

Certifi cation

Comark can provide certifi cates of calibration for its whole product range, to suit
ISO 9000 and other quality assurance procedures, food hygiene regulations,
HACCPs and environmental regulations. Comark certifi cates are produced by
independent quality controlled processes which compare product performance
against agreed National Standards. For peace of mind and best practice Comark
recommend annual certifi cation/recalibration.

Two levels of certifi cation are available for infra-red temperature and non
temperature instruments, excluding humidity:- UKAS certifi cates via an external
accredited laboratory and NPL traceable certifi cates from the Comark calibration
laboratory.

Three levels of certifi cation are available for contact temperature and humidity
products and these are detailed here:

a) UKAS Temperature Certifi cation

The Comark UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited
temperature calibration laboratory is one of the fi nest in the UK. Comark
UKAS certifi cates can offer the lowest uncertainty of 0.01°C and
provide independent proof of correct calibration using equipment and
procedures audited by UKAS inspectors. The equipment used is fully
traceable to the National Physical Laboratory.

b) UKAS Humidity Certifi cation

In addition to the Comark temperature laboratory, the humidity laboratory
continues the tradition of high accuracy certifi cation and a wide range
(25% to 90%RH) with uncertainties of 2.8% of reading. This range also
includes Dew point measurements.

c) NPL Traceable Certifi cation

Comark NPL certifi cates are traceable to the National Physical
Laboratory and can offer uncertainty as low as 0.3°C.

Conformance

Certifi cates of conformance can be supplied for new, serviced and recalibrated
instruments. These confi rm that instruments are within their original manufactured
specifi cation.

Service/Repairs

Regular servicing and any required repairs, under warranty or after, are available
from the Comark Service Department.

For more information on all Comark certifi cation, calibration and service facilities
please call Comark Customer Support or contact your local distributor.

0451

3

CHECKING THE ACCURACY OF

FOOD TEMPERATURE MEASURING SYSTEMS US-

ING THE KM20REF REFERENCE THERMOMETER

The KM20REF thermometer has been specially confi gured and
calibrated to provide an accurate and convenient method of checking
the calibration of food temperature measuring systems. Each KM20REF
is provided with a UKAS Certifi cate of Calibration from the Comark
UKAS accredited calibration laboratory, which is traceable to NPL
reference standards. This certifi cate defi nes the accuracy of the
KM20REF at designated points.

To maximise the stability of readings from the KM20REF or indeed any
other reference thermometer it is recommended that:-

a) it is only used as a reference thermometer
b) it is only used in ambient temperatures of +20°C ±5°C
c) it is protected from extreme temperature changes,

shock and vibration

d) that only an alkaline battery is used and that this is

replaced after 25 hours of use.

Food temperature measuring systems comprise two parts: the hand­held meter and the sensor (probe). It is important that the accuracy of
the complete system (meter and probe) is regularly checked against the
reading from a reference thermometer. To maintain traceable records
both the meter and probe should be given unique serial numbers.

To compare the reading from a food thermometer with the reference
thermometer the following procedure may be applied:

Note: A separate procedure has been devised for National Health
Service catering operations, copies of which are available from Comark
Ltd - Part Number 12442.

Make sure that both the food thermometer and your KM20REF have
both been at ambient temperature (between +15°C and +25°C) for at
least one hour.

Take a glass or plastic beaker that can safely hold at least 0.5 litres of
fl uid.

Mix cold water and if needed ice cubes made from tap water to achieve
a mixture of water and/or ice (crushed ice is best) at a degree or so

4

below your desired comparison temperature, say +4°C or +7°C as
appropriate. You can use your reference thermometer for this.

(0.5 litres of water in a plastic beaker at +7°C with an ambient
temperature of 20°C exhibits a temperature rise of less than 0.1°C per
minute.)

Switch on both thermometers and insert both the probes into the water
to a depth of at least 50mm (2 inches). Hold the probes so that their tips
are very close together and use the probes to stir the water. The water
should be stirred in the centre of the beaker away from the sides. The
agitation rate should be approximately one rotation per second.

Once the KM20REF is displaying the required temperature of
comparison and this reading has been stable for 30 secs the reading of
the food thermometer can be taken and recorded.

If the reading from the food thermometer differs from the traceable
reading of the KM20REF by ±0.5°C or more, the food thermometer and
probe should be returned to the manufacturer for recalibration.

Note: The traceable KM20REF reading is obtained by adding the
appropriate adjustment. This adjustment is obtained by taking the
applied temperature and subtracting the corresponding measured
value. See the example below:

Applied Temperature Measured Adjustment

–18.0°C –18.2°C +0.2

0.0°C –0.1°C +0.1
+5.0°C +5.1°C –0.1
+8.0°C +8.1°C –0.1
+20.0°C +20.2°C –0.2

Note: In an ideal world your tests should be conducted at exactly
the same points as those indicated in the “Measured” column of your
KM20REF Certifi cate. For all practical purposes it is acceptable to
apply the adjustment factor provided the readings are ±1.0°C of the
“Measured” value.

If then when conducting the test the following results were achieved

KM20REF reading +8.1°C
Food thermometer reading +8.5°C

your results sheet would be fi lled in as follows:

5

EXAMPLE

CALIBRATION CHECK RESULTS SHEET

DATE: 2nd May 2001
TIME: 0930
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE: 21.3°C
KM20REF SERIAL NUMBER: 1234
FOOD THERMOMETER SERIAL NUMBERS:
INSTRUMENT: 0675
PROBE: 0231

KM20REF READING: +8.1°C
ADJUSTMENT –0.1°C

TRACEABLE TEMPERATURE: +8.0°C
FOOD THERMOMETER READING: +8.5°C

DEVIATION +0.5°C

ACCEPT/REJECT

TESTED BY:

CHECKED BY:

CALIBRATION CHECK RESULTS SHEET

DATE:
TIME:
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE:

6

KM20REF SERIAL NUMBER:
FOOD THERMOMETER SERIAL NUMBERS:
INSTRUMENT:
PROBE:

KM20REF READING: °C
ADJUSTMENT °C

TRACEABLE TEMPERATURE: °C
FOOD THERMOMETER READING: °C

DEVIATION °C

ACCEPT/REJECT

TESTED BY:

CHECKED BY:

Auto Switch Off

The KM20REF has an auto switch off function to conserve battery
life. The instrument will automatically switch off after approximately 3
minutes use. Press the ON/OFF button again to continue using the
instrument.

7

SPECIFICATION

SCALE °C

MEASUREMENT
RANGE Pt100 –100°C to +199.9°C

RESOLUTION 0.1°C

ACCURACY ±0.2°C

OPERATING RANGE 0 to +40°C

CERTIFICATE OF
CALIBRATION
DESIGNATED POINTS
FOR ACCURACY –18°C, 0°C, +5°C, +8°C, +20°C

EMC Tested to EN 61326-1

Criteria B performance

8

© Comark Instruments Stock No. 12116 Issue 10 (12/12)

Comark Instruments
52 Hurricane Way,
Norwich, Norfolk, NR6 6JB United Kingdom
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]

Website: www.comarkinstruments.com

Comark Instruments
PO Box 500, Beaverton,
OR 97077 USA
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: sales@comarkusacom

Website: www.comarkusa.com