How to take a reading from Digital Thermometer

Digital thermometers have recently become popular and have steadily overtaken mercury thermometers as the preferred thermometer type for taking the temperature reading at homes as well as hospitals. What makes them so preferable compared to conventional thermometers is that they are so user-friendly and easy to operate. Calibration of the digital thermometer is also effortless and can be done with a touch of a button. In this blog we will look at what makes these thermometers so preferable and how to take a precise reading.

What Makes Digital Thermometers Better?

Accuracy

In many applications, accuracy is extremely important. Medicines and vaccines are an example in which strict temperature control to within a few hundredths of a degree is required. Accuracy is expressed using the symbol ±, which represents the possible deviation from the exact temperature. A thermometer with an accuracy of close to ±0.4 °C or better is desirable in such applications that require tighter tolerances.

Speed

A thermometer must be able to indicate how quickly it will take a reading of its temperature. Very sensitive recipes or many checks demand a rapid responding thermometer. The ideal response time is less than three seconds. 

Range

Thermometers mostly vary in how sensitive they are at given ranges of temperature. By knowing those temperatures, you can simply make a selection of a thermometer suitable for the temperatures you will be measuring.

Resolution

Resolution is the number of decimal places to display in a temperature reading. The greater the decimal resolution, the more precise the measurements. Many thermometers allow their users to select resolution.

Guideline for Taking a Precise Digital Thermometer Reading

As you read your temperature using a thermometer and wait for the readings to appear just within seconds because the thermometer is activated, you should have these guidelines in place to help interpret and use your thermometer;

Know the Normal Temperature Range

Temperature ranges for conditions are of utmost importance be it finding the body's temperature or measuring the level of heat generated by an item so that one does not get injured or burnt.

An adult's body temperature will typically stay at 98. 98°F (36 37°C). This may rise or drop due to age and day-to-day activities. Surface thermometers demand you are aware of the object or area temperature since both wind and sunlight can impact what is read. Surface thermometers need to be calibrated.

Proper Calibration 

Taking inaccurate thermometer reading can result in incorrect diagnosis of disease and in emergency situations even result in death. To save yourself from committing this costly mistake it is necessary to calibrate the digital thermometer properly. Consult manufacturer's instructions, if available, on the calibration process for your digital thermometers. Finally, as much as possible, do not use an uncalibrated thermometer when tracking a patient's body temperature or measuring the heat of a cooking surface.

Place the Thermometer Properly

Especially with body thermometers, such as infrared ones for temperature reading, keep in mind that how you position them often changes the results. Placing the digital thermometer in the rectum will yield a different reading from that in the armpit. Whereas the forehead reading will be different from both. Do not drink excessively chilled liquids or solids before measurement as this results in inaccuracies; and affect the reading highly. When dealing with digital thermometers, you have to stand appropriately at distance from the patient to obtain correct readings.

Maximizing Accuracy with Specialized Probes

The right probe, suitable for your application, ensures accurate and easy temperature measurement. Permanent attachments to interchangeable probes are available for many digital thermometer types, which can take precision in temperature measurement to the next level.

Penetration Probes

Useful in widespread applications, penetration probes include waterproof, high-temperature, and quick-response penetration probes. Needle probes are to apply delicate tasks. Probe length, handle shape, and lead types will vary to address different needs.

Gas and Air Probes

The probes play a very important role in many industries and those in the HVAC. All of them are compatible probes that have numerous uses including thermocouples, thermistors, and RTDs.

Surface Probes

The use of purpose-built surface probes improves the accuracy. Specialized designs such as ribbon probes and pipe probes can fit the specific application.

Simulation Probes

Simulation probes simulate the storage temperatures of items with accuracy. The accuracy is better than that of the monitoring of air temperatures, giving an idea about the actual conditions under which the product is to be used.

Conclusion

The reading of a digital thermometer is quite simple and quick if you follow the proper procedure for your specific thermometer. First, you should turn it on and make sure that it's in the right mode for the region you will measure. It can be oral, rectal, or underarm. Just put the thermometer in the place guided by its instructions and wait until it shows you the device that the reading is done.