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Directions to Calibrate a TPI-373

Instead of using a direct measurement, the TPI 373 infrared thermometer uses emissivity to determine an object's temperature. While these units arrive from the factory calibrated and ready for use, regular recalibration guarantees the validity of the measurements taken.

Things You'll Need

Damp cloth
Precision black body calibrator
Surface probe thermometer
Secondary temperature source

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the TPI 373 with a damp cloth, paying close attention to the optical lens. A dirty lens alters the captured light quality and can result in an incorrect reading.
- 2
  Look for a low battery charge indicator on the TPI 373's screen. Replace the unit's 9-volt battery when this indicator lights up.
- 3
  Program the black body calibrator to emit a temperature calibration signal at 73.4 degrees Fahrenheit.
- 4
  Hold the TPI 373's optical lens eight inches from the black body calibration unit's emission panel. Activate the black body calibrator. Take a reading with the TPI 373. Repeat this step up to five times. Verify the measured temperature falls within a range of 70 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Turn off the black body calibrator.
- 5
  Using a surface probe thermometer, take a reading of a secondary heat source's temperature. Measure the same place on this secondary source with the TPI 373. Verify the TPI 373's measurement is within 2 percent of the surface probe's measurement. The unit is now calibrated.

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