CALIBRATION OF COLD CHAMBERS / FREEZERS

PURPOSE

To establish a Standard Operating Procedure to Calibrate the COLD CHAMBERS /

FREEZERS

TARGET GROUP

Engineering Personnel.

MATERIAL & EQUIPMENT

1. Calibrated thermometer.
2. Temperature bath.
3. Computer with Microsoft excel for error & uncertainty calculation

TYPE OF TEMPERATURE MONITORING SYSTEM

1. Digital Temperature monitoring system
2. Analog/Manual monitoring system

Based on the monitoring system followed by the organization, one of the following
calibration method should be adopted.

Method 1 (Calibration of Digital Temperature monitoring system)

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
Before proceeding with calibration, the under test temperature module should inspect the
following:
• Remove the temperature module from the instrument & place calibrated
thermometer for temporary monitoring.
• Ensure all previous data are saved in the system.
• Check & ensure that the battery level is full
• Clean the sensor with 70% alcohol.

PROCEDURE
Calibration shall be performed in the controlled calibration room as the ambient
temperature 22°C +/- 2°C and humidity between 50% to 75% is maintained.
1. Expose both under test Thermometer as well as the Reference Thermometer to
ambient air for 15 minutes.
2. Switch on the temperature bath & wait for 15 minutes to stabilize the temperature.
3. Place both thermometers in the temperature bath & wait for 15 minutes to
stabilize the temperature.
4. Let the temperature of the under test thermometer (module) stabilize for one
point.
5. The reading of the under test Thermometer as well as the Reference thermometer
should be taken.
6. Take the average of 5 readings of 3 different temperatures in the normal operating
range & the data shall be filled in the excel format.
7. Calculate the error taking the master’s error in to account
8. IF difference > +/- 1°C, adjust the temperature of under test Thermometer
(temperature module).
9. Calculate the Expanded Uncertainty & combined uncertainty of all measuring
parameters, uncertainty of master certificate & least count of UUC. Providing a
level of confidence of approx. 95%.
10. Affix the calibration sticker on the temperature module.
11. Clear the memory of the temperature module & place back in to the respective
equipment.
12. Make entry in the service record, update label affixed on the respective equipment
13. Prepare calibration report which should be documented in engineering
department.

Method 2 (Calibration of Analog/Manual monitoring system)

PRELIMINARY INSPECTION
Before proceeding with calibration, the under test thermometer is inspected for the
following:
• Remove the thermometer from the instrument & place another calibrated
thermometer for temporary monitoring.
 Cleaned & scales are visible.
 Entrapped Gases - in the bulb, contraction chamber and expansion chamber.
 Detached Mercury/Red Alcohol - at the top of the contraction chamber, expansion
chamber and in the stem.
In the case one or both of the above faults are observed in the thermometer, such defects
are first rectified.
Take reference thermometer and the under test thermometer are exposed to the ambient
air for 30 minutes kept in the vertical position. Then they are heated to their maximum
nominal temperature for 20 minutes. Then both the thermometers are allowed to rest in
the ambient air before starting calibration.
PROCEDURE

Ensure the ambient temperature 22°C +/- 2°C is maintained.

Expose both under test Thermometer as well as the Reference Thermometer to ambient
air for 15 minutes.

Switch on the temperature bath & wait for 15 minutes to stabilize the temperature.

Place both thermometers in the temperature bath & wait for 15 minutes to stabilize the
temperature.
1. Let the temperature of the under test thermometer (module) stabilize for one
point.

The reading of the under test Thermometer as well as the Reference Thermometer should
be taken.
2. Take the average of 5 readings of 3 different temperature in the normal operating
range & the data shall be filled in the excel format.

Calculate the error taking the master’s error in to account

IF difference > +/- 1°C, replace the Thermometer and repeat the calibration.

Calculate the Expanded Uncertainty & combined uncertainty of all measuring

parameters, uncertainty of master certificate & least count of UUC. Providing a
level of confidence of approx. 95%.

Make entry in the service record, update label affixed on the respective equipment

Prepare calibration report which should be documented in engineering department.

REFERENCE
Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute (Formerly NCCLS) Laboratory Instrument
Implementation, Verification and Maintenance Guidelines GP31-P, Vol. 27 No. 12 for
calibration procedure & NABL 141 for calibration measurement