Lab Thermometers & Temperature Measurement Equipment
Product SelectionSelecting the right lab temperature equipmentLab thermometers are used to measure temperatures or temperature changes with a high degree of precision. A single temperature measurement device is not applicable across all lab situations. Therefore, there are several factors to consider when looking for lab temperature equipment. A liquid-in-glass thermometer, typically using mercury, is the most commonly used temperature measuring device used in laboratories. This type of thermometer has a glass bulb attached to a sealed glass tube known as the stem or capillary tube. When the temperature increases, the liquid expands and rises up in the tube, and contracts and moves down the tube when the temperature decreases. Mercury-in-glass is the most predominant temperature measurement device in laboratories because It gives accurate measurements, is a good conductor of heat and has a fast response time. You should prioritize liquid-in-glass thermometers if your lab is mostly addressing standard measurement scenarios. For more complex forms of measurement, a temperature data logger (also called a temperature monitor) is a portable measurement instrument that is capable of autonomously recording temperature over a defined period of time. The digital data can be retrieved, viewed and evaluated after it has been recorded. If your lab desires to ensure the best possible practices for all measurements, traceable thermometers provide a measurement result which can be related to a national measurement reference through a documented, unbroken chain of calibrations. These are chosen for use in labs maintaining certification programs, or labs requiring the utmost in accuracy. ConclusionThe process of accurately recording and documenting temperatures in the lab is essential to both internal protocols and external regulatory mandates. Temperature measurement is also the basic foundation for most analytical measurements, and merits an ongoing, meticulous focus within the lab. Avantor® can help equip your lab with the temperature measurement products and supplies you'll need for your laboratory from the macro environment of ambient room temperatures to the “mini” environment of smaller controlled areas, such as incubators, refrigerators/freezers, or coolers used for blood storage. |